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NRL Grand Final Loses Musical Act Amid Scheduling Snag
24 Sep
Summary
- Singer Tones And I was approached to perform at the NRL Grand Final.
- A prior commitment with Macklemore in America prevented her performance.
- NRL will redirect A$1 million entertainment budget to children's programs.
The National Rugby League's grand final will not feature its planned musical entertainment this year, as negotiations with Tones And I for a preshow performance concluded unsuccessfully. Representatives for the artist stated that a prior commitment with Macklemore in America prevented her from accepting the offer, emphasizing that no written agreement was finalized.
The Australian Rugby League Commission chair, Peter V'landys, announced that the A$1 million budgeted for entertainment would instead be redirected to support sports programs for approximately 20,000 underprivileged children. V'landys expressed his preference for investing in youth sports over a brief musical performance, noting that the game's appeal doesn't rely on pop concert features.
While Tones And I's team cited scheduling conflicts, speculation also pointed to the NRL's reported request for her to perform her hit song "Dance Monkey," which she has previously expressed mixed feelings about. The league has a history of high-profile performers, but V'landys indicated a strategic shift towards community investment, a concept he has considered for several years.
Macklemore, with whom Tones And I has collaborated, also recently had an unexpected change in his schedule following his early exit from Ed Sheeran's US tour due to his "Free Palestine" remarks.
