The Living End have spoken up about being on the same bill as Sting for this year’s AFL Grand Final after days of supposed vitriol from disgruntled fans of Aussie Rules and Aussie rock. As it turns out, the band are pretty stoked on Sting’s involvement, and they reckon fans should be too.
This year’s AFL entertainment will consist of three acts, two being Aussies The Living End and Vance Joy, and Sting as the international guest. Speaking to News Corp Australia, The Living End guitarist Chris Cheney feels an all-Aussie lineup would be ideal, he says “it’s okay if the ratio is balanced out”.
Bassist Scott Owen echoes similar sentiments, adding, “I don’t have a problem with it. If you can be entertained by Sting at half time at the Grand Final what are you whinging about?”
Despite being longtime purveyors of Australian rock, this will be The Living End’s first AFL Grand Final performance. They’ll have enough time for just two tracks, so they’ve chosen “an oldie and a newie”.
“There’s two songs and we’ve got seven minutes to get it done,” says Cheney. “It’s not your average gig. It’s going to be spectacular.”
Owens says, “It might be your average gig if you’re the Rolling Stones or Bruce Springsteen, but for the humble Living End from Wheelers Hill in Melbourne it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The Living End have every reason for being so chipper about the event. Performers are apparently very well paid for their time at the AFL Grand Final, which also includes a free show after the fact, and already The Living End’s new single Keep On Running is seeing increased attention.
“It’s great timing on the back of us having this new record out,” says Cheney.
Catch Keep On Running, below. The 2016 AFL Grand Final will be held on Saturday, 1st October at the MCG.
Watch: The Living End – ‘Keep On Running’
