UPDATE 31/08/16: The AFL has unveiled an all-Aussie 2016 Grand Final pre-game music lineup.
The hours leading up to the AFL Grand Final typically feature a swathe of stadium-sized performances from big-name international acts, but it looks like this year’s pre-game tunes could come from a lineup of Australian musos.
In recent years, the AFL has come under fire for booking a decreasing number of Australian acts at its biggest game of the year. In 2015, not a single Aussie act was featured, with Ellie Goulding (pictured), Bryan Adams and Chris Isaak among the artists featured, while Ed Sheeran and Tom Jones performed back in 2014.
It looks as if this year organisers may be heeding the public criticism, with Mushroom Group founder Michael Gudinski using an interview on Triple M (via The Music) to say that this year will likely feature a very strong Aussie contingent.
Gudinski, who helps produce the Grand Final entertainment program each year, specifically addressed recent speculation that the lineup will predominantly be make up of local artists.
“It’s looking that way,” he said. “I think people will be very happy this year.
“The reason it’s taking a bit of time is there’s a possibility of a very, very special song and a very Australian meaning that could possibly encapsulate the ground.”
Meanwhile, a petition was launched late last year to get US sex fiends Steel Panther to play the 2016 AFL Grand Final. The petition has almost 2,000 signatures at the time of writing.
Until the AFL officially announces this year’s Grand Final music acts, check out 15 local acts they should have booked for 2015, but didn’t.
Gallery: 15 Aussie Acts The AFL Should Have Booked For The 2015 Grand Final, But Didn’t
15 Aussie Acts The AFL Should Have Booked For The Grand Final, But Didn't
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Tonight Alive
Tonight Alive: They're one of Australia's finest pop punk exports and as anyone present during their Soundwave sets can attest, they put on one hell of a show. -
Tism
TISM: This IS Serious Mum. Who better to pump up a legion of footy-mad punters than seven masked lunatics singing and dancing to 'Whatareya? (You’re A Yob or You’re A Wanker)'. It’s basically the ultimate rival team sledge anthem. -
Acdc
AC/DC: This one’s a gimme. How could you go past the most legendary Aussie rock act of all time? Every one of their songs is basically its own sporting anthem. They’ve even got a new single actually called 'Play Ball'. Case dismissed. -
Courtney Barnett
Courtney Barnett: This earth-conquering Melbourne muso’s trademark ocker accent would, if nothing else, put the “Aussie” in “Aussie Rules”. -
King Parrot
King Parrot: OK, so this would never, in a million years, happen. The Melbourne grind-thrash devils would terrify footy families to within an inch of their sausage roll-eating lives. BUT JUST THINK OF HOW AWESOME IT WOULD BE. -
Shannon Noll
Shannon Noll: Nollsy is a total no-brainer. OK forget the NRL debacle, your mum still loves him just as much as Bryan Adams. Plus, he’s still a better singer than Meat Loaf and he probably owns more motorcycles. -
Heaven The Axe
Heaven The Axe: This Melbourne metal powerhouse – who you may or may not know as the architects of the hilarious 'Bogan Hunters' theme song- is packing one of the only Aussie female singers who can truly inflict some damage with her vocals. Heaven The Axe would inject some much-needed girl power into proceedings, but with the kind of rock n' roll ferocity that would make Ellie Goulding – and probably your favourite AFL team – crap their pants. -
5SOS
5SOS: Would help thousands of dads realise their teenage daughters actually have a keen interest in Aussie Rules. -
Adalita
Adalita: Not only does the Magic Dirt frontwoman boast one of the best voices in Aussie rock, she's also got solid AFL ties, having played the Reclink Community Cup twice now. That's two more times than Chris Isaak, btw. -
Grinspoon
Grinspoon: They're (thankfully) already reuniting for the Cold Chisel tour, what's one more show for the sake of the rest of the country? Who's up for a mass 'More Than You Are' sing-a-long? -
Taxiride
Taxiride: THEY ARE HERE BECAUSE WE MISS TAXIRIDE AND FRANKLY WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE TAXIRIDE PLAY AGAIN PLEASE. -
Pond
Pond: Apart from being total elite musos, Pond have already shown their passion for the game with a cover of the their local team Fremantle’s theme song. Plus what better way to fire up before the Granny than a trip down the psychedelic rabbit hole? -
Spiderbait
Spiderbait: They're noted footy fiends - like they even have a song called 'Footy' - as well as being, you know, Australian rock royalty. Plus, last year Kram played as part of an Aussie supergroup in Brazil for the World Cup festivities. Maybe let's follow South America's lead on this Australia. -
Stonefield
Stonefield: The #AFLGF is a family-friendly day and therefore needs more family bands. There's no-one better to fill that quota than The Findlay sisters aka Stonefield aka purveyors of sweet vintage rock ‘n’ roll guitar licks. -
The Smith Street Band
Smith Street Band: We owe one of the best moments of Splendour in The Grass to these god damn legends, who belted out their majestically titled anti-Abbott tune 'Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face' in front of this powerful banner. Now's the perfect time for the country to hear that message once more.
