Australia divided by AFL Grand Final KISS spectacle

American rockers KISS have put on an “unbelievable” show at the AFL Grand Final in a spectacle that’s divided the country.

KISS put on the biggest production the AFL Grand Final has ever seen — but many were far from impressed.

The iconic American rockers were the headline act before the AFL Grand Final and belted out their tunes from a stage in the centre of the MCG, after the show started with an orchestra staged on top of the roof of the venue.

The star-studded act bucked the trend of appearing to win over the majority of fans on social media — following on from Robbie Williams’ hit performance before the 2022 Grand Final.

The AFL was widely criticised for going with such an old-school act, but the veteran performers, led by rock god Gene Simmons, showed they were still capable of putting on a show for a live stadium audience.

KISS rocks the MCG. Picture by Jason Edwards

Kiss performs on stage. Picture by Jason Edwards

The league was last month forced to scramble after Crowded House officially pulled out 54 days out from the season finale.

It turns out the AFL knew what it was doing.

🎶 I was made for loving you, baby! 🎶@kiss rocking the @Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment!#AFLGFpic.twitter.com/7DZl7bUIZm

— AFL (@AFL) September 30, 2023

“Just about as good as it gets the Telstra pre-game entertainment,” Channel 7’s Hamish McLachlan said.

“A world-class act for the world’s best game. That was something else. Hope you enjoyed that as much at home as the 100,000-odd here at the MCG did. The a massive thanks to Mushroom Events. I’m told that was the biggest staging and production for an Australian sporting event outside of the Olympics and Comm Games ever. Huge effort.

“It was unbelievable. What a thrill for all these KISS disciples.

KISS as the entertainment is a winner #aflgf

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) September 30, 2023

considering they're in their 70s

"Kiss" aren't sounding too bad 🤷🏻‍♂️

no lip syncing.. Paul Stanley still has a decent voice, belting out these classics #AFLgf#AFLPiesLions

— ♑️ Mark 👊🏻 🎶🍽👽🌋🏉 (@WorldOfMarkyD) September 30, 2023

How good is this?!! 👊🏼#AFLGF#KISSpic.twitter.com/Uo7CiDH1Xg

— Cheryl Critchley (@CherylCritchley) September 30, 2023

Kiss. There we go.

Stadium rock works in a Stadium 👍#AFLGrandFinal

— ralph horowitz (@rtralphy) September 30, 2023

considering they're in their 70s

"Kiss" aren't sounding too bad 🤷🏻‍♂️

no lip syncing.. Paul Stanley still has a decent voice, belting out these classics #AFLgf#AFLPiesLions

— ♑️ Mark 👊🏻 🎶🍽👽🌋🏉 (@WorldOfMarkyD) September 30, 2023

Not everyone was happy.

I miss Robbie Williams. #AFLGF

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) September 30, 2023

This KISS drummer can barely lift his arms. He looks like a fat hamster!#AFLGF    #AFLGrandFinal

— I'm42 (@TheCraigles60) September 30, 2023

Last year, Williams earned widespread acclaim for his performance on grand final day, when Geelong thrashed the Sydney Swans.

The Killers, Ed Sheeran, Birds of Tokyo and Jimmy Barnes have been some of the better performances over the last decade.

Meat Loaf and an appearance by Angry Anderson in a Batmobile are among those events not recalled quite so fondly.

Comments across social media suggested there are plenty of fans who aren’t happy with Monday’s announcement.

One fan posted on Twitter the grand final “will need a wheelchair friendly stage”.

Another wrote the announcement showed “there are savage bogans in charge of the AFL”.

One fan replied to an AFL Twitter post by writing: “All we need now is a Collingwood vs Carlton Grand Final a la 1979 and 1981 when Kiss were at their peak in Australia”.

The Rock N Roll Hall of Famers have released 44 albums and sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. KISS is currently touring as part of their global “End of the World” tour.