‘Ripped off’: The measly fee Commonwealth Games organisers offered big name Aussie band

IT WAS panned as an embarrassment. And the measly fee Comm Games organisers were offering bands may explain the lacklustre opening ceremony.

“VOLUNTEER rates” may be the reason behind the Commonwealth Games’ lacklustre opening ceremony, with one big-name Australian band admitting they rejected the measly fee producers offered them to perform.

Cost-cutting and failure to book more big name acts may be the reason the ceremony — which cost a reported $17 million — was brutally criticised by viewers as an embarrassment.

George and Amy Sheppard of Brisbane band Sheppard — who found international success with their 2014 song Geronimo — aired the gripe with the offer overnight on Facebook.

George Sheppard told news.com.au the band was offered an “honorarium fee” — with organisers telling their agent both the “exposure” and “fun” involved would be added incentive.

“We all felt like they were ripping off artists, so we declined,” he said. “It would have been great to play, but at the end of the day this is our job and we would have lost money. I’m sure the organisers were paid properly, so why not the featured artists?”

Aussie band Sheppard aren’t happy at the Commonwealth Games’ ‘volunteer rates’.

Sheppard perform their international hit Geronimo on Ellen.

The band was offered $6000 in total — with the proposed fee for the five-piece expected to cover days of work which would include rehearsals, prerecording the song and performing at the ceremony. Sheppard said taking part in the ceremony would’ve cost the band more in crew fees and logistics — and organisers weren’t willing to cover the extra charges.

Andrew Stone, the band’s manager at one of the country’s biggest concert promoters Chugg Entertainment, said while booking fees depend on the event, in this instance “we hoped it could’ve at least covered the cost of the band doing the three parts [involved]”.

GOLDOC declined to comment on fees offered to artists to perform at the ceremonies, which collectively cost $30 million.

Christine Anu’s manager says artist fees vary at events.

During last Wednesday’s opening ceremony, Christine Anu, Ricki-Lee Coulter and Delta Goodrem performed during the two-and-a-half show at Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast.

Viewers were quick to criticise the lack of big-name artists and moments. John Farnham reportedly declined to perform at the event.

Chugg Entertainment’s Andrew Stone believes all artists involved were offered the same reimbursement.

“We were under the impression when we were offered the show that that’s what they were offering all performers,” he said.

Anu’s manager Jason Williamson said “conditions vary” between artists at major events.

“Christine Anu has been involved in many Australian and international events over the past 30 years — no contract is the same and fees and conditions vary,” he said.

Delta Goodrem performs the closing song at the opening ceremony.

He added: “Jack Morton Worldwide [the Boston-based company behind the opening ceremony] and the 2018 Commonwealth Producers took great care of Christine.”

It’s reported the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) reportedly told ceremony producers Jack Morton to lift their game for the closing ceremony, after the opening was blasted with criticism.

“They thought the opening ceremony was inauthentic, too long and too slow,” an insider told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

GOLDOC said plans for the closing ceremony “were finalised a number of weeks ago and there has been no direction to deviate provided”.

Guy Sebastian, Dami Im, The Veronicas, Amy Shark and Samantha Jade, are all rumoured to be performing Sunday night’s finale.