The AFL is pleased to announce an all-Australian line-up will perform at the Telstra AFL Pre-Match and Telstra AFL Half-Time Shows ahead of the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final on Saturday September 25.
The Telstra AFL Pre-Match Show will feature a host of local Western Australian artists including alternative singer-songwriter John Butler, Fremantle’s ARIA-award winning alternative rock band Eskimo Joe, guitar-slinging multi-award-winning artist Abbe May, critically acclaimed musician Stella Donnelly, multi-award-winning duo Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse and sisters Donna Simpson and Vikki Thorn from much-loved Australian Folk-Rock group The Waifs.
Men at Work’s lead singer and successful solo artist Colin Hay will also feature in the Telstra AFL Pre-Match Show as well as proud Yolngu man, rapper and Young Australian of the Year, Danzal Baker OAM- known as Baker Boy.
The Telstra AFL Half-Time Show will feature hometown favourites and popular contemporary rock band Birds of Tokyo alongside the West Australian Symphony Orchestra who will entertain fans in a spectacular performance under lights.
In addition, September favourite Mike Brady AM will conduct a special performance remotely from Melbourne.
The Welcome to Country will be conducted by proud Noongar man of the South-West region Richard Wally OAM, while the Australian national anthem will be performed by Perth-born Musical Theatre Star and leading lady of Phantom of the Opera, Amy Manford.
AFL Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial Kylie Rogers said the first 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final held in Perth was a great opportunity to showcase the best Western Australian music talent.
“After the success of a local all-Australian line-up at last year’s Grand Final in Queensland, we know there is incredible support to bring together home-grown talent again this year.
“The 2021 Telstra AFL Pre-Match and Half-Time Shows will celebrate Australian anthems and showcase a host of Western Australia music talent who are all incredibly excited to play in front of a full-house on home soil,” Ms. Rogers said.
“This year’s line-up features artists spanning across multiple generations, so we’re confident there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
“I’d like to thank our longstanding partner Telstra for their support in bringing the 2021 Telstra AFL Pre-Match and Half-Time Shows to life which highlights their ongoing commitment to connecting Australians and their long-term support for Australian sport and the arts.”
Telstra Group Executive Consumer & Small Business Michael Ackland said the 2021 Telstra AFL Pre-Match and Half-Time Shows highlighted its purpose of building a connected future for all Australians.
“Telstra has been a proud partner of the AFL’s for almost two decades and we’re thrilled to present the 2021 Telstra AFL Pre-Match and Half-Time Shows which will showcase some of our country’s top music talent.
“The all-Australian line-up for this year’s AFL entertainment aligns with our recent ‘Australia is why’ campaign which highlights our purpose behind why we do what we do,” Mr. Ackland said.
“Telstra is passionate about supporting sport and the arts, so we are excited to bring these two passions together in the 2021 Telstra AFL Pre-Match and Half-Time Shows in what is sure to be a wonderful spectacle.”
Mushroom Chief Executive Matt Gudinski said, “It’s been a tough time for live music so it’s fantastic to have the AFL continue their tradition of supporting homegrown artists. One of my Dad’s proudest achievements was producing the AFL Grand Final entertainment and he would be very excited to see the AFL Grand Final feature all Australian talent again. I’m excited to see such great talent and watch them perform on one of the game’s biggest stages.”
The 2021 Telstra AFL Pre-Match Show will commence at 4:15pm (AWST), with both the Telstra AFL Pre-Match and Half-Time Shows broadcast nationally on Channel Seven.
Colin Hay
“Like the country, this game is unique in the world, and I’m more than happy to be part of this year’s Telstra AFL Pre-Match Show. I look forward to watching the big men fly,” –COLIN HAY
While Scottish born Colin Hay may be best known as the songwriter, lead vocal and guitarist for Australian Grammy winners and multi-platinum selling hit makers Men At Work, he has received acclaim for his troubadour-style solo career, and some 13 solo albums, spanning the last 30 odd years.
The last few years have been particularly rewarding for Colin, touring Europe, the US, Australia and New Zealand with his US band and being part of Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band, penning the title track, “What’s My Name”, for Ringo’s last album. Colin has also performed on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and ABC’s Greatest Hits. In addition, Colin has shared the stage with iconic bands including Squeeze, Kings of Leon and Of Monsters and Men, and has been the subject of a documentary film about his career entitled Waiting for My Real Life, named for one of his best-known solo recordings. In a departure from his own musical path, Colin played Feste, in the Melbourne Theatre Company’s acclaimed 2019 production of Shakespeare’s 12th Night.
Now finding himself in the unprecedented place of having both Men At Work fame and a continuing growing following, Colin has released an album of cover songs he recorded during lockdown. Exploring the gems he heard growing up in his parent’s music shop, “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself”, features 10 versions of some of Colin’s particular favorites. These lushly arranged versions showcase Hay’s ability to interpret a song and remind one just how instantly recognizable his voice is. Colin also has a new album of original material entitled “Now And The Evermore”, due for an early 2022 release. “I remain ever hopeful about the future, and feel grateful to be still working, during these difficult and unprecedented times.”
