Following the debacle of Meatloaf’s performance at the 2011 AFL grand final, the entertainment bookings for grand final day have become a hot topic.
The Meatloaf that performed at the Grand Final was way past its expiry date. Collingwood and Geelong fans were left extremely deflated before the bounce on that special Saturday as nobody caught the vibes of the once popular rock musician.
The AFL responded in the best possible way though. The 2012 Grand Final saw Hawthorn and Sydney fans swooning to the contemporary style of The Temper Trap, who owned the MCG and provided brilliant entertainment during the half-time interval of a great contest.
Last year the AFL continued down the path of the young Australian bands with Birds of Tokyo, who sung their hearts out before and after the 2013 decider.
With the 2014 season well underway, I have two suggestions that would build on that pathway and provide perhaps even greater musical entertainment.
Imagine Dragons
The American pop-rock up-and-comers produced a fantastic album which included four popular tracks that were heard frequently in Australia. Their hit Demons could be a good soundtrack for the 2014 AFL Finals, as could other chart-toppers in Radioactive, On Top Of The World and It’s Time.
Imagine Dragons play a similar brand of music to The Temper Trap and Birds of Tokyo, which worked successfully in previous years. If they are available then they should be seriously considered by the AFL.
Coldplay
It’s only a number of days before the world’s most popular current band releases their new album Ghost Stories, and they may be touring Australia later this year or early next year.
The world renowned band have already performed at sporting events such as the 2012 Paralympic Closing Ceremony, where they rocked the London crowd for over an hour. After their 2011 album Mylo Xyloto became a familiar soundtrack to many sports telecasts, their new brand of music coupled with their old hits such as Yellow and Fix You would fit perfectly with Australian football’s biggest day.
IF the AFL wants to think big then they are the best possible option as the U2 of the early 21st century. What a great promotion it would be for AFL if the world’s biggest band rocked it out live on the last Saturday in September.
mattyb
Guest
They should get tism to play The Back Upon Which Jezza Jumped
Steele
Guest
Yeah I think Imagine Dragons might be pretty good even though I don't really like them! Temper trap are a band I really like, but unfortunately they certainly did not "own the MCG". I thought it was kinda lame. As if we"ll get Coldplay! The AFL never forks out huge amounts for the most popular acts. I agree with the comments about old Lionel. Last minute choice, yet easily the best in recent memory. If we want it to be an Australian act, Keith Urban is our biggest star and actually pretty awesome live too.
Stavros
Guest
I honestly don't know why they bother throwing money away on half-time entertainment. Who are they doing it for? At home, I'd rather see highlights and analysis of the first half and if I was at the game I would be off getting a drink or something,
Shouts Chen
Guest
Stop playing this type of crappy music. Meat Loaf was terrible at the 2011 Grand Final. They called the MCG Crowd Buttsmellers and jerks. that's why I loathe him.
micka
Guest
TISM performing... Shut up! The footy's on the radio Or Blood Duster performing... D.F.F. (an ode to Toby Greene)
Avatar
Roar Guru
The Imagine Dragons would be great for the AFL Grand Final entertainment. It would put the AFL Grand Final on the world map with their presence and popularity among fans. Some of their songs would be perfect soundtracks for the AFL overall, such as "On Top of the World" for the Grand Final (it was actually used during Seven's Grand Final telecast last year), "Radioactive" for a match featuring two rivals, "It's Time" for a team on the rise and so on. "Demons" has also been used on Seven's coverage during matches involving Melbourne as well. The AFL MUST consider them to promote their finals series this year without a doubt.
BigAl
Guest
Just so we all know that The Loaf didn't just pick on the AFL... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L-D6zj5U1g
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I agree that something can be so 'bad' it becomes 'good'. HOWEVER, Meatloaf did a full 360 for he was not only worse than stink on sh...t - it was just painful to watch, so I didn't listen for long enough for him to reach this level of epicness. AFL is unique because it is Australian and we are the only people who play it. Therefore it's simple. We considering this to be our own indigenous game, so I think it is fitting that ONLY Australian bands get to entertain us on one of Australia's biggest sporting stages. I think it's fare to say Hunters and Collectors 'Holy Grail' performance is still the best AFL entertainment ever. Now we won't always get something like this, but it is Australian and that has to count for something far greater than a fat ass Texan way past his prime!
AR
Guest
I'm happy to say I was there mds - 1991 - the only time a Grand Final was hosted at Waverley. At the time I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. I look back now and...my word. It truly is the benchmark. The youtube footage does it some justice, especially the American "guests" who are absolutely wetting themselves throughout.
BigAl
Guest
Just heard on Gold104 this am: that Meatloaf has gone broke ?? ! And, if there is any point at all to half time entertainment it should be to give young Aussie bands a bit of exposure.
mds1970
Roar Guru
The best one in recent years was the one that was completely unrehearsed and was only put together at the last minute - Lionel Ritchie at the 2010 replay. He was brilliant. But for "so bad it's good", it's impossible to go past Angry Anderson's batmobile. That is the benchmark.
ciudadmarron
Guest
Like your thoughts AR. That "temper trap" performance was possibly the worst one I can remember seeing, because it was so bad it was bad. Limp and uninspired, a flat banal song about nothing.... chosen no doubt because snippets of it were being used in the marketing for the season. Urgh. Thinking about music related to the AFL I now have Madonna in my head - if you don't want to know which song, look away now....
AR
Guest
I read the first sentence, and I gotta stop you right there... MeatLoaf's performance at the 2011 AFL GF was outstanding. It is very very hard to enter the pantheon of "so bad it's good"...and the big Meat had ticked that box a few bars in. Forget Cold Play, I reckon we could wheel out some Fine Young Cannibals, Milli Vanilli or, dare I say it, Rick Astley.