AFL slammed for un-Australian choice of musical guests in the 2015 grand final entertainment line-up

THERE is one key detail missing from the star-studded AFL Grand Final entertainment line-up. Now, the Australian music industry is hitting back.

Undated publicity pic of singer Bryan Adams.

THE AFL are being slammed for an un-Australian choice of Grand Final entertainment.

Canadian Bryan Adams, American Chris Isaak and Brit Ellie Goulding were announced yesterday as the three performers playing at the AFL’s big day.

Australian music fans have asked why there is no local talent being showcased at one of the most prestigious slots to promote local music.

Patrick Donovan, of Music Victoria, said: “A national event in a world leading music city such as Melbourne should include at least one upcoming or established Australian artist.”

Rae Harvey, who manages The Living End and rapper 360, was livid that Australian music is not represented at a quintessentially Australian event.

“I think all the music content should be as Australian as the sport is,” Harvey said. “Powderfinger did an outstanding job when they played the Grand Final. Our talent has the capacity to do it justice, and as a bonus, they even know who the footy teams are that are playing. Birds of Tokyo and Hoodoo Gurus were well received and a great example of how well it works.”

Which musician or group should perform at the AFL Grand Final? Tell us below.

Import ... British singer Ellie Goulding will promote a new album at the AFL Grand Final. (Photo by AP)

Harvey said the event does not need an international music act to boost TV ratings or ticket sales.

“The AFL Grand Final is one of the biggest live and televised events in Australia. I’m pretty confident tickets would sell out irrespective of the music talent.”

Harvey said there are many Australian acts who would have been perfect for this year’s event.

“I guess we’re talking about acts that a good number of Aussies are familiar with, in which case Grinspoon and Hilltop Hoods are good considerations. Airbourne, British India and Violent Soho would all be suitable also.”

Would be good to have an Australian act at the #AFL Grand Final, but looking over the suggestions, none appear the least bit appropriate.

— The Basics (@the3basics) September 8, 2015

Donovan pointed out that Hunters & Collectors, The Temper Trap and Birds of Tokyo have all been well received in recent years and suggested Cold Chisel, Sia, Grinspoon, The Smith Street Band or Courtney Barnett could have been selected for this year’s event.

Cold Chisel are performing at this year’s NRL Grand Final and have yet to play an AFL Grand Final, although Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss have both played the event separately.

While The Living End have played an NRL Grand Final, the Melbourne band have still have yet to play at the MCG.

“The Living End have never been approached by the AFL and it continues to confound me — they’re a perfect fit,” Harvey said.

Bring the noise ... The Living End have never been asked to play an AFL Grand Final in their hometown.

A petition for Pond and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard to #rockthegranny was circulating in the months before yesterday’s announcement.

The AFL have yet to announce which Australian act will sing the national anthem, with Hugh Jackman and Delta Goodrem rumoured to be on the short list.

Both the AFL and NRL Grand Finals have started using international guests over the last decade.

For the AFL it started with Canadian crooner Michael Buble in 2005 and then `80s two-hit-wonder Irene Cara in 2006, whose visit strategically coincided with her Flashdance theme What a Feeling being used in a beer ad.

Lionel Richie’s 2010 AFL Grand Final spot was universally praised — the US star was a last-minute get for the Collingwood/St Kilda rematch.

Next year Meat Loaf’s disastrous performance reportedly saw him pocket over $500,000 for butchering some of his biggest hits.

After several years of local guests including Hunters and Collectors, INXS, Powderfinger and the Temper Trap last year featured Tom Jones and Ed Sheeran to appeal to different demographics, with Olivia Newton-John singing the national anthem.

The NRL’s dabbling with international guests started with Billy Idol in 2002, in a performance best remembered for the power cutting out mid song.

Since then Kelly Clarkson and The Script have both performed twice as well as Ricky Martin, Good Charlotte (both judges on Channel 9’s The Voice, the network that airs the NRL Grand Final), Slash, Train and a safer performance by Meat Loaf in 2003.

Chris Isaak is a judge on this year’s X Factor, smart cross-promotion by Channel 7 who air the AFL Grand Final.

I still don't get why Australian bands don't headline the #AFLGF. Seriously. It doesn't make sense. https://t.co/DdSHETIrpY

— triple j Mornings (@triplejmornings) September 7, 2015

Saw the line up for the @AFL grand final. Once again, Australian artists are ignored. I'm starting to think they're just trolling us now.

— Luke Girgis (@LukeGirgis) September 8, 2015

This is the AFL final we wanted: Pond, King Gizzard, & Bad//Dreems should play AFL Grand Final, says petition http://t.co/UiOdtPO1rN

— Ryan Egan (@rynobi) September 7, 2015

2011 ... Meat Loaf and a bat out of voice.

1991 ... Angry Anderson and a Batmobile

AFL Grand Final entertainment

1977: Barry Crocker

1978: Keith Mitchell

1979: Mike Brady, John Farnham

1980: Peter Allen

1981: Jon English

1982: Rolf Harris

1983: Glenn Shorrock

1984: Slim Dusty

1985: Diana Trask

1986: Olivia Newton-John

1987: Daryl Somers

1988: Noel Watson

1989: John Farnham

1990: Normie Rowe

1991: Daryl Braithwaite, Angry Anderson

1992: Joan Carden

1993: Archie Roach, Yothu Yindi, Maroochy Barambah

1994: The Seekers, Debra Byrne

1995: Tina Arena

1996: Collection of past singers

1997: Marina Prior

1998: Mark Seymour, Rob Guest, Jane Scali, Donna Fisk

1999: Human Nature

2000: Mike Brady, Russell Morris, Rick Price

2001: Men at Work, Vanessa Amorosi, Julie Anthony

2002: Killing Heidi, The Whitlams, Kate Ceberano, Mark Seymour

2003: Christine Anu, Gorgi Coghlan, Australian Idol finalists

2004: Guy Sebastian, The Ten Tenors, David Hobson

2005: Delta Goodrem, The Whitlams, Silvie Paladino, Michael Buble and Dame Edna Everage

2006: Brian Mannix, John Paul Young, Sean Kelly, Daryl Braithwaite, Shane Howard, Irene Cara, Young Divas

2007: Jet, Natalie Bassingthwaighte

2008: Powderfinger, Ian Moss, Lucy Durack, Amanda Harrison

2009: Mark Seymour, Jimmy Barnes, John Farnham, Jersey Boys cast

2010: INXS, Lionel Richie

2011: Meat Loaf, Vanessa Amorosi

2012: The Temper Trap, Marina Prior, Tim Rogers, Paul Kelly

2013: Hunters & Collectors, Birds of Tokyo, Mike Brady

2014: Ed Sheeran, Tom Jones, Mike Brady, Olivia Newton-John

NRL entertainment

1999: Hugh Jackman

2002: Billy Idol

2003: Meat Loaf, Kelly Clarkson, Hoodoo Gurus, Troy Cassar-Daley

2004: Grinspoon

2005: The Veronicas, Pete Murray, Natalie Bassingthwaighte

2006: INXS, Hoodoo Gurus

2007: Hoodoo Gurus, Shannon Noll

2008: The Living End, Anthony Warlow

2009: The Script, Wolfmother, Wes Carr, Mark Vincent

2010: You Am I, Dan Sultan, Phil Jamieson, Jessica Mauboy, Justice Crew

2011: Kelly Clarkson, Eskimo Joe

2012: Good Charlotte, The Script, Sarah DeBono

2013: Ricky Martin, Jessica Mauboy

2014: Slash, Train

Originally published as AFL slammed for un-Australian choice of musical guests in the 2015 grand final entertainment line-up