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NRL returns to pure Aussie rock for grand final entertainment

El Diablo

Post Whore
Messages
94,107
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/n...t/news-story/83bf403965079071916024c6da501fe1

NRL returns to pure Aussie rock for grand final entertainment

Jack Houghton, The Daily Telegraph
September 7, 2018 12:00am


THE NRL has ditched international stars and politics for a return dose of pure homegrown Aussie rock for the grand final.

This year’s pre-game show will be provided by rising rock legends Gang of Youths, who also happen to be diehard footy fans out of rugby league’s multicultural Western Sydney heartland.

The band, formed in 2012 after meeting at a Hillsong church event, has racked up two hit albums and four ARIA awards with a US tour planned straight after the grand final.

NRL organisers said they wanted to go in a “slightly different” direction after last year’s US headliner Macklemore used the show to dive into the same-sex marriage debate.

The rapper performed his gay rights anthem Same Love, igniting a row between the NRL and former prime minister Tony Abbott, who declared “footy fans shouldn’t be subjected to a politicised grand final”.

Gang of Youths will perform three of their hits that made the top 10 of last year’s Triple J’s Top 100.

Frontman Dave Le’aupepe said he was incredibly proud to perform at the grand final and was hoping the South Sydney Rabbitohs would make it.

“We’re Sydney boys and footy has always been a significant part of our lives,” he said.

“I’m a Souths fan and Samoan. I can’t guarantee that the Rabbitohs will be there, but this will be a very proud moment for me and my family.”

The selection of Gang of Youths harks back to previous Aussie bands who have rocked the grand final including Cold Chisel (2015), You Am I (2010) and Wolfmother (2009). International artists have had a mixed record, with the low point being Billy Idol’s glitch-ridden 2002 performance.

NRL chief commercial officer Andrew Abdo said: “After the success of last year’s entertainment, we wanted to go back a slightly different genre — just a great Aussie rock show from one of the best young bands in the business.

“Gang of Youths are relevant, they are home grown, they are contemporary, and they are renowned for producing one of the best live shows going around.”

The band is known for songs Deepest Sighs, Frankest Shadows and Let Me Down Easy.
 
Messages
12,714
I'm sure this will make many of you happy. I've never heard of them though, so I can't really judge.

Australia has produced 1 all-time great rock band - AC/DC, and the NRL messed up by never having them perform at the GF before their members died/lost their voice. Yet they performed on the Footy Show somehow.
 

PARRA_FAN

Coach
Messages
17,703
I'm not a huge fan but he was great.

It's not easy to perform at these things but he did magnificently.

Best performer in years.

I'm not a fan of his music but he was entertaining the fans and did a good job.

I heard Gangs of Youth are good live so hopefully another good entertainment.
 

Pommy

Coach
Messages
14,657
Too little too late Todd. You already damaged the game by bringing macklemore here last year and politicising the GF..

Lol what an overreaction.

All the homophobes will have started watching Union I suppose? What a loss

Macklemore was just shite but that’s just based on my musical taste.
I’m not sure who this band is but rock is much more fitting for this kind of event in my opinion. Cold chisel were brilliant in 2015

I'm sure this will make many of you happy. I've never heard of them though, so I can't really judge.

Australia has produced 1 all-time great rock band - AC/DC, and the NRL messed up by never having them perform at the GF before their members died/lost their voice. Yet they performed on the Footy Show somehow.

Scotland says hello.
 

Canard

Immortal
Messages
35,620
I'm sure this will make many of you happy. I've never heard of them though, so I can't really judge.

Australia has produced 1 all-time great rock band - AC/DC, and the NRL messed up by never having them perform at the GF before their members died/lost their voice. Yet they performed on the Footy Show somehow.

Footy Show??? When was that?

Acca Dacca as far as I'm aware have never played a sporting event ever, and besides some early Countdown stuff, just don't do the lip-synch/pre recorded thing that's required at stadiums.

Also Brian Johnson has a hearing issue not a voice issue. Although apparently he is recording a new album with them as we speak.

As for one world class rock band, emmmm, RatCat anyone.......
 

Meapro Ham

Juniors
Messages
1,813
I'm sure this will make many of you happy. I've never heard of them though, so I can't really judge.

Australia has produced 1 all-time great rock band - AC/DC, and the NRL messed up by never having them perform at the GF before their members died/lost their voice. Yet they performed on the Footy Show somehow.

Somehow...I think that was a tribute band not the real AC/DC on the footy show
 

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