The pre-match entertainment for the AFL Grand Final has been revealed, and the line-up is stacked with West Australian talent.
Get ready folks, because the line-up for the pre-match entertainment at the 2021 AFL Grand Final is stacked with plenty of homegrown talent.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, the AFL’s season finale has once again been moved away from the MCG.
Perth’s Optus Stadium hosts the Melbourne Demons and Western Bulldogs tonight in front of 60,000 fans, with the first bounce scheduled for 7.15pm AEST.
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On Saturday morning, the AFL confirmed Perth-based alternative rock group The Birds of Tokyo will headline the Grand Final’s halftime show alongside the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
The ARIA Award winners previously performed at the pre-match show back in 2013, when Hawthorn toppled the Fremantle Dockers.
Birds of Tokyo lead singer Ian Kenny told The West Australian: “We’re all huge footy fans.
“You’ve just got to inhale it because the performance and the moment comes and goes so quick.
“It’s such a high-octane space.”
This year’s pre-match entertainment is loaded with West Australian talent, including John Butler, Eskimo Joe, Abbe May, indie phenom Stella Donnelly, Men at Work’s Colin Hay and Young Australian of the Year Baker Boy.
The Waifs’ Donna Simpson and Vikki Thorn and Indigenous duo Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse will also feature.
“Every year when we watch the AFL grand final my dad says, ‘It could be you next year love’, and I say, ‘Dad, you know I can’t play footy!’” Donnelly told The Herald Sun.
“But in all seriousness, I can’t believe I have been given this opportunity, I am a lifelong fan of the game so to be on that stage performing will be a huge spin out, and to be doing it with John, Gina, Guy, Donna and Vikki makes it even more special.”
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan said the AFL grand final would be a “terrific platform” for local artists to reach a massive national audience.
“Western Australia has some of Australia’s best upcoming and established musicians and we have made sure our local talent is centre stage for the Grand Final spectacle,” he said.
“The Grand Final will live long in the memory for Western Australians.”
Mike Brady’s iconic performance of “Up There Cazaly” will once again be beamed into the venue from Melbourne due to Covid-19 restrictions, while Noongar cultural ambassador Richard Walley will conduct the Welcome to Country.
The Australian national anthem will be performed by Amy Manford, who played the lead role in a West End production of Phantom of the Opera.
“After the success of a local all-Australian line-up at last year’s Grand Final in Queensland, we know there is incredible support to bring together homegrown talent again this year,” AFL executive general manager of customer and commercial Kylie Rogers said.
“The 2021 Telstra AFL Pre-Match and Half-Time Shows will celebrate Australian anthems and showcase a host of Western Australia music talent who are all incredibly excited to play in front of a full-house on home soil.
“This year’s line-up features artists spanning across multiple generations, so we’re confident there will be something for everyone to enjoy.”
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