Organisers have now confirmed that Melbourne group The Temper Trap will be headlining a day of local talent for this years AFL Grand Final following on from reports last week that first touted the massively successful group as contenders.
The performance will top off what has already been a massive year for the five-piece, with the release of their self-titled sophomore album debuting at #1 on the ARIA Charts, and performances at some of the world’s biggest festivals.
The Temper Trap are set to headline a new halftime show in the middle of the MCG as well as performing an encore performance with Paul Kelly at an unprecedented fan event. The Premiership Party, a free post-match fan event open to the public where the MCG will open its gates to the public at 6pm, will follow the conclusion of the 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final.
Fans will also have the chance to enjoy a free encore performance by The Temper Trap and Paul Kelly in the lead-up to a special presentation to the crowd of the 2012 AFL Premiers.
Paul Kelly, arguably Australia’s greatest singer songwriter, will headline the new pre-match program with Australian singer/songwriter and You Am I frontman Tim Rogers, no doubt sourcing a setlist from his solo debut, Rogers Sings Rogerstein.
“As a band that was formed in Melbourne we know first-hand of the passion and history that is the AFL Grand Final,” said The Temper Trap on hearing the news. “We are thrilled to have been invited to perform this year; it is a real honour.”
“We have played some of the biggest festivals around the world,” they continued. “But playing live at the MCG in front of a Grand Final crowd is sure to be one of our most exciting performances yet. We are also thrilled that Paul Kelly is part of the entertainment, he is a genuine Australian and Melbourne music icon.”
The announcement of an all-local talent lineup comes after organisers were left red-faced last year after Meat Loaf delivered a less than stellar performance that drew the ire of punters, organisers, and fellow musicians alike, some starting a petition urging the AFL to book local talent for their Grand Final
A very public spat followed the performance, with Meat Loaf blaming the AFL for sound difficulties – labelling the sporting code “jerks” and vowing to “go out of my way to tell any artist do not play for them”. Of course the AFL responded in kind, calling the 64-year-old singer “absolutely terrible”.
Since then the AFL have focused their attention on local musicians, at least during the regular season, following on from the success last year of the inaugural ‘Live At The G’ series that saw the likes of Little Red, Stonefield, and Airbourne, playing in front thousands of crazed footy fans at the MCG in Melbourne.
“Our fans have been telling us that they want more Australian music at the footy and we’ve acted on that by showcasing the best home grown talent all season,” says AFL Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Demetriou.
“Grand Final day has always been the biggest day on the AFL calendar and with the talent and format we’ve developed this year I’m sure it will go to another level again,” he continued. “With this new approach to Grand Final day there’s more access and entertainment for fans than ever before.”
“After selling millions of singles and albums and touring the world, I’m delighted The Temper Trap are coming home to play on the AFL’s biggest stage. It’s only fitting we finish the season on a high and you can’t get a bigger Australian band right now than The Temper Trap, nor a more quintessentially Australian artist than Paul Kelly.”
The 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final will air on Channel Seven on Saturday 29 September.
