DMA’s, Sheppard and Thelma Plum among those to perform at AFL Grand Final

An all-Australian music line-up will perform at the Gabba on Saturday, October 24 as part of the AFL Grand Final.

The league’s final match has been bounced from its traditional Melbourne home to Brisbane due to COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria.

In previous years, the AFL has courted international acts to perform at the AFL’s biggest match of the year, including Meatloaf’s infamous performance in 2011.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCGBOkdjCM4

Last year, the league trotted out Australian music icon Paul Kelly. He was supported by Dean Lewis and Tones and I.

2020’s Grand Final will again have a local feel, due to COVID-19 restrictions on international arrivals, and Queensland’s emphasis on local talent.

The full performance line-up includes DMA’s, Sheppard, Cub Sport, Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale, Electric Fields, Thelma Plum, Busby Marou, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and Mike Brady.

Brisbane group Tribal Experiences from Yuggera-Toorabul Country will perform the welcome to country.

Mushroom’s chairman Michael Gudinski praised those involved for getting the line-up together despite all the challenges.

Gudinski (pictured) said today’s announcement take the AFL’s entertainment offering to new heights

“It’s been a long time coming to have a night Grand Final – a great achievement for the Queensland Government, Commission chairman Richard Goyder, and chief executive Gillon McLachlan. This year really showcases an incredible variety of different styles of music. This will take the entertainment to new heights in the future, and I look forward to it continuing when it comes back to the hallowed turf at the MCG,” he said.

The creative director and producer of the entertainment showcase for the 2020 Toyota Grand Final, Thea Jeanes-Cochrane, noted how many firsts were being achieved this year.

“The 2020 Grand Final will feature the best of Australian and local artists, being a unique and historic year for the AFL and for Queensland,” Jeanes-Cochrane said. “Working closely with the AFL, we have completely reimagined the Grand Final entertainment this year creating multiple ‘firsts’, such as featuring an orchestra and creating both a pre-game and half-time show for stadium and broadcast audiences across Australia and the globe. The historic night-time setting at the Gabba allows the Cochrane Entertainment team to showcase state-of-the-art production values.”

The AFL’s general manager of commercial, Kylie Rogers, said 2020’s Grand Final was an incredible opportunity for the Queensland music and arts community.

“On the back of an all-Australian line-up at last year’s Grand Final, we know there is incredible support to bring together local talent again this year,” she said.

“We have some of the best of Australia’s musical talent performing, with a unique sound and collection of voices – from the Torres Strait down to the south coast – we’re proud to be delivering another All-Australian billing for the 2020 Toyota Grand Final.

In quotes from the artists involved, provided by the AFL, DMA’s said they were “so excited”, Sheppard said they were “humbled and honoured”, and Cub Sport said they were “so stoked”. Stockdale added that he was “very much looking forward to playing” at the final, and Electric Fields said they were “thrilled to have been invited”. Thelma Plum “can’t wait”, Busby Marou “are absolutely pumped”, Mike Brady is “delighted to be included”, Tim McCallum said it’s his dream to sing the anthem at the popular event, and the QSO said it was “incredibly exciting” to be involved.

The AFL screens on the Seven Network.