 The Guardian writer Michael Billington wrote that he was not sure how to review " a mix of pageant , pop @-@ concert , street @-@ party and presentation ceremony . " He added that it communicated the " energy of British popular culture over the past few decades and the gaiety of our Olympic ceremonies . " Billington praised Boyle , Devlin and Daldry , who had done a " tremendous job in lending what might have been orthodox Olympic rituals a blast of theatrical vitality . " While Alexis Petridis writing for the same paper said that the lack of a " gasp inducing moment " spoilt the show . Jan Moir of the Daily Mail queried whether the ceremony truly reflected Britain 's musical heritage and described the opening section as " dull , dull , dull " . She asked " how could anyone follow the Opening Ceremony for entertainment ? " , challenged " the logic " of clips of artists such as Bush and Bowie who had " declined to appear " , and said that the fashion section was " dreary " . 
