Bryan Adams has had no shortage of advice on how to approach his upcoming performance at the 2015 AFL Grand Final, even being warned by one fan that he’d better give a better performance the Meat Loaf‘s famously lacklustre one in 2011.
“When I came in this morning on the plane, a guy said to me he hoped I’d be better than Meat Loaf, so I’ve got big boots to fill,” he said as part of a media event at the MCG on Thursday, reports Fairfax.
Joined by fellow Grand Final performer Ellie Goulding, and AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, Adams was full of jokes, namely at Meatloaf’s expense. “I wasn’t here but [heard] something about him being s**t or something?” he quipped as McLachlan laughed on.
Meatloaf, who was paid $600,000 for his performance at the 2011 final, was slammed for his apparently woeful performance at the event. Later hitting back at the AFL and calling them the cheapest people in the world, the ridicule seems to show no signs of stopping years later.
Maybe McLachlan ought not to laugh too hard too fast though, as the choice of Adams and Goulding alongside Chris Isaak as entertainment over Aussie artists outraged many.
Still it was all laughs and smiles at the press event, Goulding joking about her lack of AFL knowledge being made up for by her interest in other areas. “I’ve been panicking for the past few hours because I’ve never watched it before but I’m excited to learn about it,” she said.
“I’ve heard that it’s tight shorts which is exciting, and they’ve got the guns out, their arms out, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Things got particularly sad though when the artist started pretending they were AFL fans, with Adams supposedly barracking for Hawthorn after seeing them play last year.
“I’ve been to see a match years ago in Adelaide, and it was good because I really brushed up on my swearing,” he said.
Goulding however was, reportedly, taking all her cues from McLachlan, barely containing her enthusiasm as she mentioned that “apparently I’m a passionate West Coast supporter.”
McLachlan wasn’t about to let that comment fall flat though, chiming in with the approved backstory that “Ellie’s had some great times in Perth over the years, and she’s got a soft spot for the Eagles”.
No news yet on who Chris Isaak will be supporting, although rumours are circulating that he is excited for a Wicked Game.
If you need a refresher, relive Meat Loaf’s 2011 AFL Grand Final spectacular here, below.
Watch: Meat Loaf’s 2011 AFL Grand Final Performance
Gallery: 15 Aussie Acts The AFL Should Have Booked For The Grand Final, But Didn’t
15 Aussie Acts The AFL Should Have Booked For The Grand Final, But Didn't
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Tonight Alive
Tonight Alive: They're one of Australia's finest pop punk exports and as anyone present during their Soundwave sets can attest, they put on one hell of a show. -
Tism
TISM: This IS Serious Mum. Who better to pump up a legion of footy-mad punters than seven masked lunatics singing and dancing to 'Whatareya? (You’re A Yob or You’re A Wanker)'. It’s basically the ultimate rival team sledge anthem. -
Acdc
AC/DC: This one’s a gimme. How could you go past the most legendary Aussie rock act of all time? Every one of their songs is basically its own sporting anthem. They’ve even got a new single actually called 'Play Ball'. Case dismissed. -
Courtney Barnett
Courtney Barnett: This earth-conquering Melbourne muso’s trademark ocker accent would, if nothing else, put the “Aussie” in “Aussie Rules”. -
King Parrot
King Parrot: OK, so this would never, in a million years, happen. The Melbourne grind-thrash devils would terrify footy families to within an inch of their sausage roll-eating lives. BUT JUST THINK OF HOW AWESOME IT WOULD BE. -
Shannon Noll
Shannon Noll: Nollsy is a total no-brainer. OK forget the NRL debacle, your mum still loves him just as much as Bryan Adams. Plus, he’s still a better singer than Meat Loaf and he probably owns more motorcycles. -
Heaven The Axe
Heaven The Axe: This Melbourne metal powerhouse – who you may or may not know as the architects of the hilarious 'Bogan Hunters' theme song- is packing one of the only Aussie female singers who can truly inflict some damage with her vocals. Heaven The Axe would inject some much-needed girl power into proceedings, but with the kind of rock n' roll ferocity that would make Ellie Goulding – and probably your favourite AFL team – crap their pants. -
5SOS
5SOS: Would help thousands of dads realise their teenage daughters actually have a keen interest in Aussie Rules. -
Adalita
Adalita: Not only does the Magic Dirt frontwoman boast one of the best voices in Aussie rock, she's also got solid AFL ties, having played the Reclink Community Cup twice now. That's two more times than Chris Isaak, btw. -
Grinspoon
Grinspoon: They're (thankfully) already reuniting for the Cold Chisel tour, what's one more show for the sake of the rest of the country? Who's up for a mass 'More Than You Are' sing-a-long? -
Taxiride
Taxiride: THEY ARE HERE BECAUSE WE MISS TAXIRIDE AND FRANKLY WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE TAXIRIDE PLAY AGAIN PLEASE. -
Pond
Pond: Apart from being total elite musos, Pond have already shown their passion for the game with a cover of the their local team Fremantle’s theme song. Plus what better way to fire up before the Granny than a trip down the psychedelic rabbit hole? -
Spiderbait
Spiderbait: They're noted footy fiends - like they even have a song called 'Footy' - as well as being, you know, Australian rock royalty. Plus, last year Kram played as part of an Aussie supergroup in Brazil for the World Cup festivities. Maybe let's follow South America's lead on this Australia. -
Stonefield
Stonefield: The #AFLGF is a family-friendly day and therefore needs more family bands. There's no-one better to fill that quota than The Findlay sisters aka Stonefield aka purveyors of sweet vintage rock ‘n’ roll guitar licks. -
The Smith Street Band
Smith Street Band: We owe one of the best moments of Splendour in The Grass to these god damn legends, who belted out their majestically titled anti-Abbott tune 'Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face' in front of this powerful banner. Now's the perfect time for the country to hear that message once more.
