It’s AFL Grand Final day, meaning hundreds of thousands of footy fans around the nation are tuning in to watch the Pies do battle with the Eagles at the MCG for ultimate glory.
But it’s the customary pre-game entertainment that’s had gums flapping on Twitter, with the majority of viewers roasting international guests The Black Eyed Peas over their performance.
To begin with, it seems there were some audio issues, which definitely didn’t help matters:
#AFLGrandFinal2018 black eyed peas are not singing live. Shame on the AFL for bringing in this import and they can’t even perform live.
— Sue Mead (@SueMead2) September 29, 2018
Can't tell if it's the Black Eyed Peas who are shit – or the sound system in general. Seriously over the need for yank entertainers when we have top class artists right here in Aus. #AFLGrandFinal
— PolarK @polarkay (@Karina_Melbs) September 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/MarkGottliebFOX/status/1045882674328428544
But even if you put some of the blame on technology for the predominantly neg reviews of the group’s nine-minute set, the Peas are still getting mashed by fans because band leader Will.I.Am got busted CHECKING HIS PHONE mid-song:
Boring. Absolutely boring. #BlackEyedPeas so couldn’t give a shit! And what’s with checking your phone midway through the performance at an #AFLGF!? @bep pic.twitter.com/sxJY7CzT4D
— Brian Peel (@Brian_Peel) September 29, 2018
Did Will I Am from Black Eyed Peas just read a text mid performance? #AFLGF
— Scott Bailey (@scottbailey23) September 29, 2018
Did someone in the Black Eyed Peas check their phone? pic.twitter.com/tTLrFJJ1VQ
— Rebecca Hayne (@BeccaHayne) September 29, 2018
Black Eyed Peas bloke just checking his pager. Needs to be somewhere.
— The Jonnie Notions System (@JRRivett) September 29, 2018
He was simply checking to see if the money had gone in. @afl #afl #aflgf #aflgrandfinal
— Frothy (@Frothy_boy) September 29, 2018
Either way, the overwhelming consensus on Aussie Twitter is that the Peas failed to impress, but that the day was saved by homegrown headliner Jimmy Barnes:
I am seriously cringing at the black eyed peas right now #AFLGrandFinal
— Ashlee (@ThatGeekyTomboy) September 29, 2018
I hope the AFL is as disappointed as the rest of the country with that terrible Black Eyed Peas performance. Could learn a thing or two from the NFL when booking pre-game acts… #AFLGF
— Aaron James (@AarnJmes) September 29, 2018
Black Eyed Peas…. pic.twitter.com/AwiPxR3zSD
— Jordan Bengtson (@JordanABengtson) September 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/handleting/status/1045856212645015552
Black Eyed Peas are a bit like my Manchester United boys. Not quite the same without Fergie. #AFLGF
— Lincoln Bertelli (@LincolnBertelli) September 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/RoamingBT/status/1045886686364786695
https://twitter.com/AWilhelm312/status/1045888217499627521
Jimmy Barnes > Black Eyed Peas. #AFLGF
— Adam 'Warnie' Child (@WarnieDT) September 29, 2018
All that money for 9 mins of the Black Eyed Peas? Seems a waste of money. Just should have had 20 mins of Jimmy Barnes and leave it at that. #AFLGF
— Leachy (Daniel Leach) ??? (@danleachy84) September 29, 2018
Jimmy Barnes is doing to the Black Eyed Peas what West Coast did to Melbourne last week
— The Spence (@adambspencer) September 29, 2018
Watch footage of The Black Eyed Peas’ and Barnesy’s AFL Grand Final pre-game performances below and see what you reckon for yourself.
https://youtu.be/aRYRadDznec
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoS8lm3n1I5/