Commonwealth Games: Stars labelling closing ceremony ‘karaoke fest’ now turn on musical director

THE stars on stage at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony have turned on musical director Katie Noonan — describing the show as a “karaoke fest” that totally misread the mood.

THE stars on stage at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony have turned on musical director Katie Noonan — describing the show as a “karaoke fest” that totally misread the mood.

With bizarre song choices including the cover of Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves as the event climax, several of the performers said they found themselves cringing.

One singer even admitted they found themselves shaking their head onstage as Noonan put herself front-and-centre for the Eurythmics/Aretha Franklin hit.

Musical director Katie Noonan. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

And no one has been able to explain why the stars were told to sing covers of other people’s hits. During the ceremony Dami Im, Emma Donovan and Kate Ceberano all belted out covers of tracks made famous by other female Australian artists.

It comes as The Daily Telegraph can reveal none of the stars — ranging from Samantha Jade to The Veronicas and Anthony Callea — were paid to perform at Carrara Stadium on Sunday night.

“Katie made sure she was at the front of the group,” one performer said. “The rest were stood behind her standing like sticks as she did her thing.”

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None of the stars were paid to perform at the gig, including Samantha Jade. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

The Veronicas also performed on the night. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Noonan faced similar criticism after her starring role in the opening ceremony, which she also directed.

Another artist, who declined an offer to perform for free as part of the closing ceremony, said: “It was all a bit karaoke. I’m glad I didn’t do it. The creative and musical direction was off. Who made those decisions? Why weren’t the artists singing their own songs? They’ve all had big hits between them.”

Female singers Dami Im, Thandi Phoenix, Samantha Jade, Kate Ceberano, Katy Noonan, Emma Donovan and Kira Puru took to the stage. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

Yet Noonan is standing by the show. Yesterday she posted on Facebook: “Given the current climate, it could not be a more appropriate time to celebrate female talent with an all-women’s performance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony.”

However, despite Noonan playing the feminism card, her post attracted a slew of negative comments.

“Completely missed the point Katie Noonan! Wasn’t about sisters but about Sportstars! Men and Women,” Donna Pearce wrote in reply.

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Elizabeth James wrote: “Katie, I thought the whole point of the Games Closing Ceremony was to celebrate the ATHLETES.”

Noonan, employed as musical director by events company Jack Morton, has been embroiled in controversy since the opening ceremony when the Telegraph revealed she was at the centre of tension backstage for making her song the pivotal moment of the event broadcast to more than one billion people.

A Facebook post from musican Katie Noonan after a backlash following the opening ceremony.

While the likes of Ricki-Lee Coulter and Delta Goodrem were swamped by dancers, fireworks and digital displays as they performed, Noonan’s performance was stripped back as she sat at a piano as a centrepiece for the celebration.

One of the country’s top promoters — Michael Chugg — and members of award-winning band Sheppard launched scathing attacks on Noonan, saying they refused to perform for “volunteer rates”.

Originally published as Commonwealth Games: Stars labelling closing ceremony ‘karaoke fest’ now turn on musical director