Kanye West will be headlining the Pan Am Games closing ceremonies on July 26th in Toronto. The self proclaimed "greatest living rock star" will be performing at the PAD-Pan Am Ceremonies Venue alongside Pitbull and Canadian artist Serena Ryder.
Toronto mayor John Tory slipped up earlier today at a news conference mistaking Kanye for being a Canadian artist. Tory went on to say Kanye was a "proud product of our music industry". Once corrected Tory advised reporters he wished a Canadian would be headlining.
Kanye has his share of haters, and a petition has been setup online to re-consider Kanye as a performer.
Official Press Release:
TORONTO, July 15, 2015 — Live Nation, the Official Live Music Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games and the world’s leading live entertainment company, will help Toronto bid adieu, in style, to some of the best athletes in the Americas. A spectacular Pan Am Games Closing Ceremony on July 26 will showcase the talents of international superstars Kanye West and Pitbull, along with Canadian sensation Serena Ryder. Tickets start from $90 and are available now at TORONTO2015.org/tickets.
Always a party-like atmosphere that celebrates outstanding athletic achievement, the Closing Ceremony will also feature the Parade of Nations, the official handover of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) flag to the next Host City — Lima — and the extinguishing of the Pan Am flame from the Pan Am Games cauldron at the foot of the CN Tower.
“Our entire team at Live Nation is pleased to play the role of Official Live Music Partner by bringing world-class musical talent to the Games,” said John May, Live Nation Entertainment’s president – Ontario Region, EVP National Alliances. “Live Nation is one of the world’s biggest names in entertainment and it seemed fitting to draw upon our premier roster of talent to match the top athletes that are here competing.”
“The Closing Ceremony is a time for us to celebrate the thrilling achievements of the exceptional athletes we’re seeing compete here in Toronto. It’s also a great opportunity for this city to have some fun,” said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer, TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015). “Live Nation brings its unrivalled knowledge of and experience in supporting major high-profile international events to the TORONTO 2015 Games. We knew they would make our Closing Ceremony a must-see live event and something to remember for our athletes.”
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Closing Ceremony will be broadcast live in English and French on CBC/Radio-Canada and in Spanish on TLN Univision on July 26 starting at 20:00.
UPDATE: A previous version of this release stated that the closing ceremony would be broadcast live at Nathan Phillips Square. This information was included in error. In fact, regular PANAMANIA programming is scheduled for that evening. Programming details here: http://www.toronto2015.org/
