The Source: Anthems Kiss set to use to rock AFL Grand Final

It’s been almost 25 years since Kiss rocked the Super Bowl, so will they roll out a fresh set list for the last Saturday in September at the G?

Empowerment anthems are always welcome on the last Saturday in September.

Indeed, with US supergroup Kiss set to tread the hallowed MCG in platform boots, spandex outfits and full make up for the AFL Grand Final, it’s decision time for the appropriate classics to rock a full house.

It’s a no-brainer, of course. When Kiss rocked the Super Bowl almost 25 years ago, they went top shelf: the 1975 hit Rock and Roll All Nite.

Kiss will change the title to Rock And Roll All Day to suit the afternoon celebrations in Melbourne.

Gene Simmons and Kiss have answered the AFL’s SOS. Picture: Getty Images

While most assume the ode is about partying and excess, Kiss frontman Paul Stanley recently revealed the true meaning of the song.

“When I was writing it, naive or not, (it) was really about celebrating, and it wasn’t about getting high or getting stoned or anything like that. It was, ‘I wanna rock and roll all night and party every day. I wanna have a great time and make the most of life,’” Stanley said.

“And that’s really what both my point of view and Kiss’s point of view has always been — to celebrate life and to make the most of life — because, as far as I know, we don’t get a second chance. So this is our bite of the apple. So, make the most of your life.”

If Kiss gets to play more songs at the Grand Final, which gems will make the cut?

Shout It Out Loud and I Was Made For Loving You would surely be top of the list.

Is Yoko Ono set to grace NGV?

With a December 2 date set for the NGV Gala, coupled with the NGV Triennial, featuring top names including art icon Yoko Ono, who has the renowned gallery got in its sights for special guest VIPs?

Surely, Ono, renowned avant-garde artist and performer is top of the wishlist.

Others to be featured at Triennial include Tracey Emin, Maison Schiaparelli, David Shrigley Sheila Hicks.

Ono, 90, was married to The Beatles singer-songwriter-guitarist John Lennon for 11 years before his assassination in 1980.

Ono and Lennon after their wedding in Gibraltar in 1969. Picture: Getty

The Beatles split a year after Lennon and Ono married, and she has copped unjustified vitriol for the fracture for more than 50 years.

Vogue Australia is partnering with the NGV Gala.

Edwina McCann, editorial director and publisher, Conde Nast titles Australia and News Prestige, and co-chair of the NGV Gala said: “The NGV Gala is truly a world-class event unlike any other of the Australian cultural calendar.”

Yoko Ono could be a special guest at the NGV Gala in December.

Events guru sounds off over failed Comm Games

He’s the state’s most vocal lobbyist for the Victorian events industry.

Indeed, former Save Victorian Events boss Simon Thewlis was a loud and proud megaphone during the pandemic, battling to get the struggling sector back to work.

So it was probably no surprise the events champion went the full fireworks display at the Senate inquiry into the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne on Monday.

Mr Thewlis said Victoria’s reputation for staging world class events has been ruined by the state government cancelling the Games, which was meant to be held in Melbourne and regional centres.

“The Victorian Government didn’t value, respect or properly utilise the unique skills, experience and capabilities that Victoria’s event industry has,” Mr Thewlis said.

“Our industry plays a huge role in events like the Games. Many of the people involved in managing the whole event are from our industry.

“We do the ceremonies, live sites, sports presentations, corporate hospitality, related business events and community events.”

Premier Daniel Andrews announced the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games in July. Picture: Tony Gough

Mr Thewlis claimed: “It was astonishing that the chiefs responsible for critical areas such as strategy, planning, delivery co-ordination, (Commonwealth Games) services, culture, ceremonies and governance, had little to no real operational experience on major events.

“There is a lot more to successfully organising events than people outside of our industry realise. Time and time again, we’ve seen people with little real event experience try to do what we do with disastrous results.”

Mr Thewlis said 2026 Comm Games organisers did not consult with the events industry “to find much more economical ways to do things.”

He added: “Just walking away from an event goes against everything event people and the event industry stands for.”

His Save Victorian Events campaign during the pandemic involved 2000 people from more than 900 businesses.

Mr Thewlis is now the director of Event Pty Ltd.

Dial I for Intimacy at flashy hotel

Nights can be long and lonely for high-flying corporate types staying in interstate hotels on urgent business.

In those precious off-duty hours, it’s important to unwind and see what’s in the minibar.

A Source contact was staying at the swank W Brisbane recently when he found unexpected options for filling in time (and other things).

W Hotel Brisbane.

There, among the booze and snacks was a box offering an intriguing $55 product selection labelled I IS FOR INTIMACY.

It contained two regular condoms, a lubricant sachet, an adult game, a satin blindfold, a female toy and a male toy.

Our man on the spot — a sober member of Melbourne’s legal world — sounded gobsmacked when we interrupted him.

“It’s a flash hotel for corporates, not a bordello,” he explained.

It brought to mind the late, great Canadian comedian Norm MacDonald, who once pondered the use of the term “adult toy” for items which were not “big race cars”.

The question being pondered by our man was more immediate.

“Can I get this through on expenses?” he asked.