The World Cup kicks-off in Germany today (June 9) and the Il Divo/Toni Braxton offering will set the tone for the biggest sporting competition on the planet and ensure Wales and Cardiff are there in spirit, if not in person.
“We chose the Millennium Stadium because of its versatility and its status as an iconic venue for sport and football in particular,” said video director, Nigel Dick. “We’ve been able to close the roof, switch on the interior lighting and create exactly the right kind of atmosphere for our purpose. There is no other venue in world sport that allows us to simulate night time filming at any hour and gives us the goosebumps and real life experience of international football.”
Il Divo brought a 20-man film crew for 12-hours of intensive filming on the pitch at Wales’s national multi-facility event venue and were joined by Toni Braxton who was beamed in from Los Angeles onto the Stadium’s big screens.
“The Time of Our Lives”, which was released world-wide on June 7, has already impressed staff at the Millennium Stadium, who were privy to a sneak preview.
“The Millennium Stadium has always put itself out there to be available for any kind of use, this is our first appearance in a music video and what better way to start than with the official FIFA World Cup 2006 anthem,” said Millennium Stadium chief executive Paul Sergeant. “We have very much enjoyed having Il Divo at the Millennium Stadium and, having heard a world exclusive version of the song, we are sure it will tap into the very heart and soul of the World Cup 2006.
“I’ll definitely have it blaring out of the van when I head off to Germany on Sunday to get us in the mood!”
