Macklemore’s smack down to haters with NRL song
HE found himself at the centre of the same-sex marriage furore, now Macklemore let his music do the talking at the NRL Grand Final. On the same weekend, The Killers also put on a memorable performance at the AFL. TAKE OUR POLL
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AFTER a week in which he unwittingly found himself at the centre of the same-sex marriage furore, Macklemore last night let his music do the talking.
The US rapper delivered an explosive performance before the grand final, with the expectant crowd erupting in cheers as he delivered a passionate rendition of his pro same-sex song Same Love.
Rainbow-coloured fireworks shot into the air as the artist shouted “equality for all” as his set came to and end. And in a sign of the NRL’s support for marriage equality, the giant screens at the stadium displayed the words “We stand for diversity”, “We stand for inclusiveness” and “We stand for equality” during the performance of Same Love.
Same Love - @macklemore feat. @marylambertsing#NRLGF#NRL pic.twitter.com/TAhaZFjKZk
— NRL (@NRL) October 1, 2017
Macklemore became the centrepiece of the NRL’s public endorsement of same-sex marriage last week when it was announced he would perform his marriage equality anthem. The No vote camp, led by former prime minister Tony Abbott, vociferously condemned the decision and accused the NRL of politicising sport and alienating fans.
But NRL chief Todd Greenberg stood by the decision, even posting a selfie with Macklemore an hour before the performance.
Macklemore’s epic performance last night comes after US band The Killers turned the AFL Grand Final pre-match entertainment into a bite-size rock festival.
Fronted by Brandon Flowers, they handpicked their biggest anthems for the occasion - a 15 minute medley of When You Were Young, Somebody Told Me, The Man and Read My Mind.
The band also shoehorned in a cover of Midnight Oil’s Forgotten Years as a nod to their love of Australian music that was a hit in the venue and in the tough world of Twitter.
However, it was The Killers’ killer classic Mr Brightside that was purpose-built to rock a stadium and did precisely that.
Then
Where previous years have featured the likes of classic rockers Sting and Tom Jones, The Killers had their first hit in 2004 and tapped directly into a younger demographic.
Injured Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston proved to be a big fan of Macklemore, greeting the rapper outside the change rooms with a high-five and a grin on his face.
Macklemore, whose set included his hits Thrift Shop, Downtown, Glorious and Can’t Hold Us, has vowed to donate all proceeds of the performance to the Yes vote campaign.
@TripleM_NRL did ya'll miss this moment? who @macklemore high fived coming out of the aisleway? who else but Jonathan Thurston!!! #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/LyrAyolvYd
— Leon Bradley (@dxthelb) October 1, 2017
One of the best shows I've seen at the nrl grand final @macklemore ur the man
— Greg Eastwood (@GregEastwood1) October 1, 2017
Killed it with Macklemore @NRL ðŸ‘ðŸ¾ðŸ‘ðŸ¾ðŸ‘ðŸ¾ðŸ‘ðŸ¾
— Lote Tuqiri (@LoteTuqiri) October 1, 2017
@macklemore WOW !!!!!
— jarryd hayne (@JarrydHayne) October 1, 2017
“I haven’t figured it out yet but I ... want to donate my portion of the proceeds from Same Love that I get off of that record here in Australia to voting yes,” he told the Nine Network on Saturday.
The reaction to his performance was overwhelmingly supportive.
2GB presenter Ben Fordham took to Twitter to praise the performance and called out those who wanted to ban Macklemore from performing.
“Here’s my bit of free speech — @macklemore was great and I hope the precious snowflakes who wanted him censored survived those sweet tunes,” he said.
Former rugby union and league champion Lote Tuqiri tweeted: “Killed it with Macklemore @NRL”.
Fox Sports presenter Warren Smith labelled the decision to hire Macklemore a masterstroke by the NRL. “Whoever at the @NRL was responsible for bringing #Macklemore out for the grand final is an absolute genius,” he tweeted.
Great to spend some time with @macklemore pre match @NRL GF. Look forward to seeing a huge performance for the fans! pic.twitter.com/jYhoqFbcyM
— Todd Greenberg (@Todd_Greenberg) October 1, 2017
Guys, I heard Macklemore sing and I didn't become gay, it's okay 🌈
— MLB (@MattLB13) October 1, 2017
@macklemore you killed it. So proud of @NRL for sticking to their guns and allowing that to happing #proudmoment #voteyes #nrl #macklemore
— Justin Davison (@juzzy_83) October 1, 2017
I find so much satisfaction in how much the Macklemore Same Love uproar has backfired on our politicians
— Paris (@parisvelvet) October 1, 2017
Macklemore just played Same Love at the NRL grand final and WOW...nothing happened. No one died and the world didn't end...Carry on everyo…
— Jason Pilgrim (@JasonPilgrim) October 1, 2017