"Say You'll Be There!" Spice Girls Join Snow Patrol, Paul McCartney, Blur, Duran Duran in the Lineup to Play 2012 Summer Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Among a varied list of over 15,000 performers, Paul McCartney, Snow Patrol, Spice Girls, Blur, and Duran Duran are the five headlining artists set to open and close the 2012 Summer Olympics ceremonies (including during a British Live concert series) which will be held in London starting Friday, July 27. The 2012 Summer Olympics run from July 27 to August 12.

To kick off the Olympic Games on July 27, Snow Patrol will hit the British Live representing Northern Ireland, along with Stereophonics performing for Wales, Paolo Nutini playing for Scotland, and the English rock band Duran Duran representing the musical talent from England. The show, which will take place outside at the legendary Hyde Park in London, will keep spectators dancing and rocking-and-rolling well into the night, with a performance curfew set for 1 a.m.

The announcement that Duran Duran would play the opening concert for the Olympic Games was met with some criticism and mocking, considering the band has only produced two top hits in the past two decades. Upon hearing the news one person on Twitter wrote, "Duran Duran to headline Olympic gig. Who is running the 1500 metres - Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett?"

The 2012 Summer Olympics opening concert (which coincides with the opening ceremony) is sponsored by BT London Live, which will provide massive screens showing live coverage of musical performances, Olympic medal activities, and other sporting attractions for spectators throughout the entire event.

Beatles rock star Sir James Paul McCartney also announced his upcoming appearance at Friday's opening. Although not confirmed, Artic Monkeys may  soon join the list, having released an image of the band supposedly soundchecking for the event.

Rumors have been verified that the popular 1990s pop sensation Spice Girls is set to play during the closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games, which will take place on Sunday, August 12. The closing concert will be headlined by the English alternative rock band Blur, most famous for their hit single "Song 2," popularly referred to as "Woo Hoo" and off of their 1997 album Blur.

The five original members of "Spice Girls" are prepared to perform their 1996 no. 1 single "Wannabe" at the closing ceremonies.  Although Victoria Beckham does not foresee a full-out future tour, she claims she loves being back with the girls and that the band is excited to be performing at the Olympics.  Bonus fun fact, although Beckham's husband David did not make the cut for Britain's Olympic soccer team and does not wish to light the flame in the opening ceremony, he still insists he will be making an undisclosed appearance during the Olympics. Maybe with Victoria's Spice Girls alias Posh Spice?

Check out more information about the Summer 2012 Olympics including Game and performance coverage here.