Vance Joy & The Living End confirmed as 2016 Toyota AFL grand final entertainment

PRESS RELEASE:

AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan announced live on the league’s Twitter account two recording artists that will feature as part of the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final entertainment at the MCG on Saturday, October 1.

The Virgin Australia Pre-Game Show at the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final will see Vance Joy and The Living End perform, providing home-grown acts that will entertain generations.

Both Vance Joy and The Living End will perform in a FREE concert straight after the Toyota AFL Grand Final at the Virgin Australia Premiership Party on the hallowed turf of the MCG.

In an AFL first, McLachlan participated in a Twitter Blue Room, a live Q&A session with fans, before answering a tweet from Virgin Australia asking about the 2016 Grand Final entertainment line-up.

McLachlan was joined in the Twitter Blue Room for the announcement by Vance Joy, with The Living End tweeting their excitement with a video live from Portland, Oregon USA.

Vance Joy got his start playing open mics around his hometown of Melbourne before taking the country and the world by storm with his first single, ‘Riptide’, the current record holder for the longest standing single in the Top 100 of the ARIA Singles Chart.

Following an incredible string of awards and accolades, including an ARIA Award win for best male artist, a #1 Australian debut, as well as multi-Platinum singles and album in Australia and throughout the world, today Vance Joy (real name: James Keogh), said he was excited to be part of the biggest day in Australian sport.

“I’ve been watching the AFL Grand Final for as long as I can remember, it’s an absolute honour and dream to be able to perform at the game on October 1,” said Vance Joy.

Since forming at high school and busking the streets of Melbourne, The Living End has gone to number one, had four platinum plus albums, been awarded APRA’s Australian Song of the Year and scored six ARIA awards.

The Living End’s lead singer, Chris Cheney, said the band were honoured to be invited to play on Toyota AFL Grand Final Day.

“The Living End havealways beenproud to call ourselves aMelbourne band and weall grew uploving football and rock’n’roll, so to have the chance to rock the G on GrandFinal day is a career highlight,” Mr Cheney said.

“There are few gigs rarer and more prestigious than playing at the AFL Grand Final.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and we couldn’t be more honoured and excited to be a part of footy’s biggest day of the year,”he said.

While 100,000 fans will witness the Virgin Australia Pre-Game Show live before the match, those fans without Grand Final tickets will have the chance to enjoy an encore performance for FREE at the MCG immediately following the Toyota AFL Grand Final.

AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan said announcing two home-grown performers was a great way to lead into the Toyota AFL Finals Series.

“Earlier today we launched the Toyota AFL Finals Series, the start of the most exciting month of our football season when the pressure of expectation and elimination takes our game to a new level,” Mr McLachlan said.

“It is a pleasure to announce two home-grown acts, both of whom have breathed football for the entirety of their lives, to perform during the Virgin Australia Pre-Game Show and Premiership Party on Toyota AFL Grand Final Day.”

“The entertainment acts have been chosen to appeal to a wide cross-section of football fans but also to others who love great Australian music.

“Fans who miss out on the opportunity to witness the Toyota AFL Grand Final live, will have the opportunity to come into the MCG following the match for a free concert, the Virgin Australia Premiership Party, headlined by Vance Joy and The Living End,” he said.

The Virgin Australia Premiership Party, first introduced in 2012 as an unprecedented fan event sees the MCG open its gates to the public following the conclusion of the Toyota AFL Grand Final.

Virgin Australia Group Executive Public Affairs,DanielleKeighery, said: “The Virgin brand is founded in entertainment and, as the official airline of the AFL, we are thrilled to support the Grand Final Entertainment

“We encourage fans, whether they have tickets or not, to take to the MCG turf right after the Grand Final toenjoy the Virgin Australia Premiership Party and congratulate our 2016 premiers.

“The AFL Grand Final is the biggest sporting event in Australiaand we’re passionate about providing a great experience for fans, including those flying in for the match.”

Fans will be able to gain FREE access to the MCG from 6pm on Saturday October 1 via Gates 5, 6 and 7 to watch theVirgin Australia Premiership Party– with performances by Vance Joy and The Living End –and the presentation of the 2016 AFL Premiers.

Producer of AFL Grand Final entertainment, Michael Gudinski, said the artists chosen to perform at this year’s Toyota AFL Grand Final would excite fans of all ages.

“It’s very exciting to announce two Melbourne superstars to form part of this year’s Grand Final,” Mr Gudinski said.

“Home-grown talents, Vance Joy and The Living End, have established themselves as huge names in Australia and throughout the world,” he said.

Further announcements, including the identity of the Australian national anthem singer, will be released in the coming weeks in the lead up to the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

Half-time of the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final will again be devoted to the best NAB AFL Auskickers in the country, along with the running of the 13CABS Grand Final Sprint.

This year’s Toyota AFL Grand Final will once again see an array of activities throughout the day involving various members of the Australian football community, including former AFL legends and retiring players along with a host of other football identities. The Foxtel Footy Festival will run from the Wednesday of Toyota AFL Grand Final Week until Grand Final Day in Yarra Park outside the MCG.