28 Best Songs to Kick Off Any Opening Ceremony: The Ultimate Playlist

1. Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars - 2025)

Upbeat Tempo: Uptown Funk's infectious rhythm and driving beat will instantly energize your opening ceremony, setting a vibrant and exciting mood from the start.

Vocal Performance: Bruno Mars' charismatic vocals and powerful delivery are guaranteed to captivate the audience, creating a high-energy atmosphere.

Pop Culture Impact: Its widespread popularity and iconic status ensure instant audience recognition and a shared feeling of excitement, making it a truly memorable opening.

2. Roar (Katy Perry - 2025)

Anthemic Quality: Roar's powerful vocals and driving beat create an incredibly uplifting and inspiring atmosphere, perfect for igniting the energy of an opening ceremony.

Crowd Participation: The song's catchy chorus and simple yet powerful lyrics are easy for a large audience to sing along to, fostering a sense of unity and shared excitement.

Emotional Impact: Its message of empowerment and overcoming adversity resonates deeply, setting a positive and motivational tone for the event to follow.

3. Wake Me Up (Avicii)

Upbeat Tempo: Avicii's "Wake Me Up" boasts an irresistible tempo perfect for kicking off an event with high energy and excitement.

Anthemic Quality: The soaring vocals and uplifting melody create a powerful and inclusive atmosphere, instantly engaging the audience.

Crowd Pleaser: Its instantly recognizable tune and feel-good vibes guarantee a rousing start to any opening ceremony, setting a positive tone for the rest of the event.

4. CAN'T STOP THE FEELING! - Come Into My Life (The Album)

Upbeat Tempo: CAN'T STOP THE FEELING!'s infectious rhythm and undeniably catchy melody are guaranteed to energize any opening ceremony, instantly lifting the mood and setting a positive tone.

Universal Appeal: Justin Timberlake's instantly recognizable vocals and the song's feel-good vibes transcend age and cultural boundaries, making it a unifying choice for a diverse audience.

High Energy Performance Potential: The song's structure lends itself perfectly to a dynamic and visually exciting performance, with opportunities for choreography and audience participation that will make the opening ceremony truly memorable.

5. Thunderstruck (1990)

Opening Impact: "Thunderstruck" explodes with an iconic, instantly recognizable guitar riff, setting a powerful and energetic tone perfect for kicking off any event.

Crowd Engagement: Its driving rhythm and anthemic chorus are inherently participatory, guaranteed to get the audience moving and feeling the excitement.

Unforgettable Energy: The song's raw power and relentless energy create an atmosphere of anticipation and exhilaration, making it an ideal choice for building momentum at an opening ceremony.

6. Firework (Katy Perry)

Anthemic Quality: "Firework" possesses a powerful, uplifting chorus perfect for igniting the energy of an opening ceremony, instantly engaging a large audience.

High-Energy Tempo: Its driving beat and dynamic arrangement create an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation, setting a celebratory mood.

Broad Appeal: Katy Perry's pop sensibility makes this a familiar and universally appealing choice, ensuring a wide range of attendees will connect with the song.

7. Happy (Pharrell Williams)

Upbeat Tempo: "Happy" boasts an irresistibly upbeat tempo and infectious rhythm, guaranteed to energize any opening ceremony and get the crowd moving from the very first note.

Positive Vibes: Pharrell Williams' instantly recognizable vocals deliver a message of pure joy and optimism, creating a celebratory atmosphere perfect for launching an event.

Universal Appeal: Its simple yet powerful melody and universally understood theme of happiness make it a truly unifying choice, suitable for diverse audiences at an opening ceremony.

8. The Final Countdown (1986)

Anthemic Quality: "The Final Countdown" possesses a powerful, driving rhythm and soaring vocals that instantly create a sense of excitement and anticipation, perfect for kicking off an event.

Built-in Crowd Participation: Its iconic countdown sequence naturally encourages audience participation, transforming the song into a shared experience.

Broad Appeal: The song's blend of hard rock energy and memorable melody ensures broad appeal across different age groups and musical tastes, making it a great choice for a diverse audience.

9. Eye of the Tiger (Working Class Dog - 1982)

Song Title: Eye of the Tiger

Artist: Survivor

Anthemic Power: Its driving beat and soaring vocals instantly ignite energy and excitement, perfect for setting a powerful and motivational tone at the start of any event.

Unforgettable Hook: The instantly recognizable and catchy chorus is guaranteed to get the crowd pumped and singing along, creating a unified and electrifying atmosphere.

Cultural Impact: Its association with the iconic *Rocky III* elevates its impact, tapping into a powerful sense of triumph and perseverance that resonates deeply with audiences.

10. A Sky Full of Stars (2014)

Uplifting Anthem: "A Sky Full of Stars" possesses an anthemic quality perfect for igniting excitement and energy at the start of an event. Its soaring melody and powerful instrumentation create an atmosphere of celebration and anticipation.

Broad Appeal: Coldplay's signature blend of alternative rock and pop makes this track accessible to a wide audience, ensuring a universally engaging opening.

Dynamic Energy: The song's driving rhythm and building intensity will leave the crowd energized and ready for what's to come. Consider using vibrant visuals to enhance its impact.