The Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Games took place on Friday and four billion people around the world watched. But it was the previous weekend that we welcomed the world to London with BT River of Music. Over 160,00 people enjoyed music from over 1,500 artists from 204 countries who were performing at six iconic stages across London - it made musical history! In the space of 24 hours I met Roberto Fonseca, Maxim from the Prodigy, The Scissor Sisters and Jools Holland. I walked through Tower Bridge moat, danced with a Baroness, chatted to an East End stallholder, and had my photo taken with a group of schoolchildren from Newham.
Hard to know when you first start these things, but BT River of Music has been a perfect encapsulation of the Olympic spirit - packed full of optimism, joie de vivre and inclusiveness. 17,000 people danced all day long at the Africa stage, and families of every shape, size, colour and flavour had an incredible day out.
On Saturday at the Tower of London, The Scissor Sisters performed an amazing set against the stunning backdrop of the Tower itself. Complete with special guest-stars, a pair of 'It's a Knockout' style Beefeaters, who sprayed smoke all over an unsuspecting crowd in the campest way possible, and received a rapturous reception.
And then, Sunday evening at the Europe stage at Somerset House: Beverley Knight, Jools Holland and the astonishingly talented Gregory Porter... And an amazingly diverse group of people from all over London, the UK and the world, coming together to enjoy music for free in the most amazing venues. And as they danced with their children, friends and partners in the courtyard of Somerset House, more than one person told me it was one of the best nights of their lives. The Daily Telegraph said, "From the standard of the food to the friendly security, flawless organisation, gorgeous sites.... this was the best music festival I have ever been to in the capital. If this was a dress rehearsal for the sporting festival to come it couldn't have been more perfect, framing London at its best."
We're off to a flying start, and I for one can't wait to see what the world's been waiting for - the London 2012 Olympic Games.