Rod Stewart and Susan Boyle to Perform at Opening Ceremony of Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

Grammy Award winning global superstar Rod Stewart is to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

One of the most successful recording artists in the world, the two time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be at Celtic Park on 23 July performing in front of 40,000 people and an expected global television audience of more than one billion.

Joining Rod Stewart at the Opening Ceremony is Susan Boyle, who has sold millions of albums around the world after shooting to global stardom in 2009 and whose performances have been watched more than 300 million times on YouTube.

Also appearing are violin virtuoso Nicola Benedetti, one of the most sought after and influential classical musicians and Classical Brit Award winner, Glasgow singer/songwriter Amy MacDonald whose albums have topped the charts across Europe and Julie Fowlis, who found global recognition through the songs she performed in the Oscar, Golden Globe and Bafta winning film Brave.

These world-class global musical performers will be accompanied by stars of stage and screen from both the UK and abroad in a rich and engaging celebration of Glasgow, Scotland and the Commonwealth.

They will join the thousands of people who have come from diverse communities across Glasgow and Scotland to perform on the world stage at the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Around 2000 cast members will represent the host city and nation as they perform in front of around 40,000 people at Celtic Park and a potential television audience of over one billion viewers.

David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 said, “We have always said that the Opening Ceremony will present Glasgow and Scotland to a global audience. But when we got to welcome an iconic talent like Rod Stewart it takes the excitement and anticipation for the Opening ceremony to a whole new level. We will also be welcoming internationally renowned and acclaimed artists Susan Boyle, Nicola Benedetti, Amy MacDonald and Julie Fowlis on the night. They will join the thousands of people who are part of our cast for a unique celebration of the host city and nation which will not only welcome the athletes to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games, but which will also be seen and enjoyed across the world.”

Celtic Park is being dramatically transformed ahead of the Opening Ceremony which will feature Europe's largest LED screen, a specially created stage floor which covers the entire pitch and includes a walkway specifically designed for the athlete's parade.

The giant screen, which is currently being built across the whole of the South Stand at Celtic Park will be almost 100 meters long, 11 meters high and will weigh in at 38 tonnes.

Jack Morton Worldwide

The Opening & Closing Ceremonies of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are being created and produced on behalf of Glasgow 2014 by Jack Morton Worldwide who also created the Ceremonies for Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002 and Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006. They are the team behind some of the most high profile and critically acclaimed ceremonies on four continents – including Athens 2004 Olympic Ceremonies and the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup Ceremonies.