The AFL announced today the three international recording artists that will headline the 2015 Toyota AFL Grand Final entertainment at the MCG on Saturday, October 3.
The 2015 Virgin Australia Pre-Game Show at the Toyota AFL Grand Final will be headlined by Bryan Adams and Ellie Goulding, providing entertainment to fans that will transcend generations.
The two artists will perform a number of their iconic hits in the lead up to the biggest match of the year.
Canadian Bryan Adams’ career has spanned more than four decades hitting global stardom in 1984 with the release of his album Reckless which featured such classics as ‘Run to You’ and ‘Summer of ’69’.
Grammy Award winner Adams, who is travelling to Australia specifically to perform at the 2015 Toyota AFL Grand Final, said he was looking forward to playing on the AFL’s biggest day:
“Australian music fans are amazing and being at the AFL Grand Final with sports fans will be an event to remember… I’m pleased to be a part of it.”
English singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding, whose debut album Lights skyrocketed her to the top of the UK Album Charts in 2010 has consistently produced hit single after hit single since.
“I love coming to Australia and am excited to be able to be a small part in one of Australia’s greatest days in sport.”
In addition to the 100,000 fans who will witness the Virgin Australia Pre-Game Show live on Grand Final day, fans without Grand Final event tickets will have the chance to enjoy a free encore performance on the hallowed turf of the MCG immediately following the Toyota AFL Grand Final.
Following the conclusion of the Toyota AFL Grand Final, Bryan Adams and Ellie Goulding will play at the Virgin Australia Premiership Party. First introduced in 2012, the unprecedented fan event sees the MCG open its gates to the public for a free encore performance by the Grand Final entertainers followed by the presentation of the 2015 AFL Premiers to fans for the very first time.
AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan said the artists due to perform on the 2015 Toyota AFL Grand Final had been purposely selected to entertain football fans of all ages.
“The AFL Grand Final is the pinnacle for fans and players alike and as such the calibre of the international acts performing equates to the stature of the event,” Mr McLachlan said.
“In addition to the Finals Series tickets remaining at the 2013 levels as part of the AFL’s push to make attending the matches as affordable as possible, I’m pleased to say that this year’s artists will ensure there will be something for everyone.”
Virgin Australia General Manager Brand & Marketing Michael Scott said: “The Virgin brand has its origins in entertainment and we know how important good atmosphere is on Grand Final Day.
“As the official airline of the AFL we are thrilled to be able to entertain fans at the 2015 Toyota AFL Grand Final with the Virgin Australia Pre-Game Show and Virgin Australia Premiership Party.
“We are committed to providing the best possible travel experience for those flying in for the Grand Final and look forward to sharing the excitement with those fans on the day,” Mr Scott said.
Michael Gudinski, producer of Toyota AFL Grand Final Entertainment said: “I’m very excited that we have once again confirmed two international chart-topping superstars for the 2015 Grand Final.”
Since his first tour of Australia in 1984, headliner Bryan Adams has performed before hundreds of thousands of Australian music fans and secured an impressive collection of #1 hit singles and albums, both locally and throughout the world.
“Ellie Goulding is one of the hottest new female artists in the world. Following her win for Best British Female at last year’s BRIT Awards, she has had one of the biggest hit songs of the year – the number one track ‘Love Me Like You Do’. We are thrilled that she can join us at Australia’s biggest sporting event,” Mr Gudinski said.
Also performing pre-game is American rocker Chris Isaak, currently featured as a judge on Channel 7’s The X Factor, having provided the world with such hits as ‘Wicked Game’, ‘Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing’ and ‘Somebody’s Crying’.
Half-time of the 2015 Toyota AFL Grand Final will again be devoted to the best NAB AFL Auskickers in the country along with the running of the 13CABS Grand Final Sprint.
This year’s Toyota AFL Grand Final will once again see an array of activities throughout the day involving various members of the Australian football community, including former AFL legends and retiring players along with a host of other football identities.