The AFL today announced that iconic Australian band Hunters & Collectors, along with current Australian chart-toppers Birds Of Tokyo, will headline the 2013 Toyota AFL Grand Final entertainment at the MCG on Saturday, September 28.
The biggest day of the year for Australia’s Game will once again feature Australian music with Hunters & Collectors, one of this country’s most successful and critically acclaimed acts, performing at the Virgin Australia half time show, while Birds Of Tokyo will perform in the lead up to the centre bounce.
Since first forming in 1981, Hunters & Collectors have built a massive following in Australia and around the world. With over one million album sales across 13 albums, they are known for their legendary live performances having played over 2000 live shows. The ARIA Hall of Fame members have re-formed to perform exclusively at the 2013 Toyota AFL Grand Final, their first live performance since 2009.
Birds Of Tokyo have established themselves as one of Australia’s most exciting and dynamic bands since forming in 2004. Their fourth and most recent album, ‘March Fires’, debuted at number one on the national ARIA album chart earlier this year. That album – containing the hit songs ‘This Fire’ and ‘Lanterns’ – recorded the highest selling first week sales of any album this year. The band is currently in Los Angeles recording material for their highly anticipated next studio album.
Both Hunters & Collectors and Birds Of Tokyo will also perform at The Virgin Australia Premiership Party – the free post-match fan event open to the public – following the conclusion of the 2013 Toyota AFL Grand Final. The 2013 AFL Premiers will also be presented for the first time to fans at The Premiership Party.
This year’s focus on Australian music follows on from last year’s all-Australian line up and in addition to Hunters & Collectors and Birds Of Tokyo taking top billing, iconic Australian singer-songwriter Tina Arena will perform the Australian national anthem immediately before the match.
Hunters & Collectors frontman Mark Seymour said the band was thrilled to be playing at the biggest Australian sporting event of the year.
“We’ll be playing the AFL Grand Final in front of the biggest sporting crowd you could ever play to. It’s a great privilege and an honour.
“The atmosphere is electric with anticipation as we prepare to be part of the biggest day of our national calendar, the AFL Grand Final.”
AFL Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Demetriou, said: “This year’s Grand Final entertainment has something for everyone and yet again showcases the best homegrown talent in this country.
“It’s fitting Australia’s Game has Australia’s music as it’s soundtrack on the biggest day of the year. Both Hunters & Collectors and Birds Of Tokyo are hugely popular Australian acts and I know how much they’ll add to what is the most important day on the AFL calendar.
“The AFL Grand Final truly is a celebration of this country’s Indigenous game and these bands, along with The Premiership Party, will ensure our fans enjoy every aspect of the day.”
Michael Gudinski, producer of AFL Grand Final entertainment, said: “From 1981 till their split in 1998, Hunters & Collectors were hailed as one of Australia’s greatest rock bands.
“After their amazing one-off performance at 2009’s Sound Relief concert at the MCG, they left us all wanting more. Their legacy of music lives on and has been further enhanced by a new album ‘Crucible – The Songs Of Hunters & Collectors’; a stunning tribute album to be released the day before the Grand Final. This album features an incredible line up of Australian and international artists, new and old fans of Hunters, who have each recorded their own special version of a Hunters classic.
“Birds Of Tokyo are one of the brilliant performers on this album and like Hunters & Collectors back in the day, are having a similar impact on today’s music audiences with their dynamic live shows and fantastic songs. I’m thrilled to have two of Australian finest bands, Hunters & Collectors and Birds Of Tokyo, performing at this year’s Toyota AFL Grand Final at the MCG.”
This year’s 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 the year’s best NAB AFL Auskickers and those players taking part in the Gillette Grand Final Sprint.
The Premiership Party was introduced last year as an unprecedented fan event that sees the MCG open its gates to the public at 6pm, following the conclusion of the 2013 Toyota AFL Grand Final, for the chance to enjoy a free encore performance by Hunters & Collectors and Birds of Tokyo in the lead-up to a special presentation of the 2013 AFL Premiers.
CRUCIBLE – THE SONGS OF HUNTERS & COLLECTORS
30 songs – featuring 15 stunning tributes and 15 original recordings
Out FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27 through Liberation Music
www.facebook.com/huntersandcollectorsoffical | www.humanfrailty.com.au
