Could Powderfinger be the answer to the NRL’s Grand Final entertainment woes?
Fresh off announcing their long-awaited reunion tour, the Brisbane rock legends have put their hands up for a potential performance at the 2027 NRL Grand Final, with frontman Bernard Fanning sending a cheeky invitation to league boss Peter V’landys.
“Can we get an opportunity to get Powderfinger to play live at the NRL Grand Final next year?” Triple M Breakfast host Aaron Woods asked on Monday morning, noting that the band’s Sydney shows are scheduled for October 1st and 2nd, just ahead of the Grand Final on October 3rd.
“Sure, give us a call, V’landys,” Fanning joked in response.
Fellow host Beau Ryan was quick to jump on the opportunity: “No I’m serious, we can make that happen. I feel like you’ve left it open for two reasons. First reason, to perform, and the second reason, what, do you think the [Brisbane] Broncos are going to be in it?”
Fanning replied: “It’s because we want to watch it.”
The offer comes after this year’s NRL Grand Final entertainment became something of a saga, with negotiations to secure Tones And I as the headline act falling apart. V’landys subsequently declared that the league would redirect its roughly $1 million entertainment budget towards grassroots rugby league, before teasing a surprise performance just days out from the decider.
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The NRL ultimately assembled an all-Australian lineup led by Amy Shark, alongside Screaming Jets’ Dave Gleeson, Grinspoon’s Phil Jamieson and members of Peking Duk and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, for a special pre-game tribute to Jai Arrow.
Powderfinger officially announced their long-awaited reunion tour last week, marking their first national run in 17 years. The band will hit the road across September and October 2027, with shows scheduled for Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne.
Demand has already been overwhelming. Powderfinger added several new dates during last week’s presale, before Fanning confirmed on Friday that even more shows were being planned.
“We are truly humbled and overwhelmed by the response to the shows we announced,” Fanning said. “We want you all to know that we understand that there is still a huge appetite for people to come and be a part of the tour so we are working on putting more shows together.”
From Rolling Stone AU/NZ
