Some of Australia’s best and brightest performed at the 2021 AFL Grand Final pre-game show over the weekend, including Baker Boy, Eskimo Joe, Stella Donnelly, John Butler and more.
The 25-minute showcase took place on the field at Perth Stadium. The annual festivity was not able to take place at its usual home at the Melbourne Cricket Ground due to the current outbreak of COVID-19 ripping through Victoria.
The day began with a Welcome To Country, with Dr. Richard Walley who led the proceedings.
Following the official ceremony, a virtual performance from Mike Brady of the AFL anthem ‘Up The Cazaly’ kicked off the entertainment. His performance was filmed in various locations around Melbourne.
The official live pre-game entertainment kicked off with a performance from singer and songwriter, Abbe May of AC/DC‘s ‘Thunderstruck’ – it wouldn’t be a footy match without it, after all.
Baker Boy kept the energy rolling, with a mashup performance of his track ‘Meditjin’ and Kylie Minogue‘s ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ – a major highlight being his super silky, blue tracksuit. He was flanked by a high-energy dance troupe. He rounded out his performance with a stellar didgeridoo solo.
John Butler was up next, taking to the stage to slam out a performance of his intricate single ‘Ocean’.
Butler was then joined by Stella Donnelly, Vikki Thorn, Donna Simpson, Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse for an ensemble rendition of Icehouse’s ‘Great Southern Land’.
Eskimo Joe delivered a thumping performance of their iconic hit ‘Black Fingernails, Red Wine’, before bringing it home with a cover of INXS‘ ‘Kick’ – saxophone solo and all.
The show’s headliner, Colin Hay of Men At Work, appeared via video to finish off the show. He led a performance of the band’s iconic 1980 single ‘Down Under’ from a beach in California, with the rest of the artists joining him on backup vocals live from the stadium.
Watch the full show below.
https://youtu.be/i4iQZC34yn8
Birds Of Tokyo led the half-time show festivities, delivering a three-track performance featuring their singles ‘Lanterns’ and ‘Unbreakable’, as well as delivering a cover of Silverchair’s ‘Straight Lines’.
Watch that below.
https://youtu.be/zVlA1xuqeGE
