Danny Boyle described the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics as a "warm-up" act for the Games.

The Oscar-winning film director is the man responsible for the incredible transformation of the stadium in Stratford, London, where the athletics will take place.

He said: "Tonight's a warm-up act for the Games. That's one of the things you have to keep remembering.

"You big it up for different reasons, and you hear it bigged up or slammed or whatever it is, and you've got to keep remembering we're the warm-up act."

The ceremony started with classical music from Edward Elgar, the hymn "Jerusalem" and "Danny Boy."

However, the song soon shifted to the rock genre.

Danny—who brought in the electronic duo Underworld as musical directors—included The Sex Pistols' song "Pretty Vacant" and their infamous version of the country's national anthem "God Save The Queen."

Other artists included in the musical score included the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Queen.

A section featuring 75 bikes representing the traditional doves, which were released at the Games from ancient times to signal peace, was accompanied by the music of the Arctic Monkeys, including their track "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor."

Emeli Sande sang the hymn 'Abide With Me" and admitted she felt privileged to be included in the lineup.

She said: "I am extremely proud and humbled to be part of the amazing ceremony which will allow the world to see some of the best up-and-coming and established talents the UK has produced."