Even to some of the most renowned names in the music industry, the opportunity to perform at major soccer events is undeniably compelling. Picture this: a brief gig of about six minutes, unpaid but with the promise of exposure to a live audience of approximately 70,000 people and a TV viewership in the hundreds of millions.
Artists like Camila Cabello, Alicia Keys, and the Black Eyed Peas (minus Fergie) have eagerly accepted the chance to be the pregame entertainment at European soccer’s grand finals: the Champions League and the European Championship. The benefits of this brief yet extravagant performance are immense, but there’s a catch.
For most performers, this high-profile gig comes with a significant risk: the possibility of facing loud, unapologetic, and relentless boos from the audience. However, there are success stories that offer hope to the lineup set to perform before the Euro 2024 final in Berlin: Meduza, Leony, and OneRepublic.
For instance, Dua Lipa’s electrifying performance at the 2018 Champions League final left such a positive impact that she now considers herself an honorary fan of Liverpool FC. Similarly, Oceana, who sang at the 2012 European Championship final, cherishes the memory as one of the highlights of her career, recalling how the entire stadium joined in singing along.
| Performer | Event |
|---|---|
| Dua Lipa | 2018 Champions League final |
| Oceana | 2012 European Championship final |
