Hunters & Collectors, Birds Of Tokyo To Perform At AFL Grand Final

AFL Finals begin this coming weekend and for fans of the game it's a pretty amazing time to be alive. Even if footy isn't your cup of tea, you have to admit that the AFL Grand Final is a pretty amazing spectacle and, as such, the announcement of the musical entertainment is a pretty massive deal.

Today it has been confirmed that Birds Of Tokyo will be opening proceedings at the 2013 final, getting the crowd fired up (which will not be hard, we think you'll find) for the big match.

The big spectacle, however, is the half time show and this year will no doubt be a memorable one for anyone who has been a fan of the game over the past couple of decades as the legendary and recently reformed Hunters & Collectors hit the stage to perform between the second and third quarters. The band's 1992 single Holy Grail has become synonymous with the AFL Grand Final over the years and having them play it on the day is going to be truly special.

The AFL opted for home grown talent last year – after the unmitigated disaster that was Meatloaf's 2011 performance – with Paul Kelly and The Temper Trap playing at the 2012 event.

Hunters frontman Mark Seymour said, “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.”

Mushroom Group's Michael Gudinski once again programmed this year's entertainment, and said during their 1981-98 period the band were “one of Australia's greatest rock bands”.

“After their amazing one-off performance at 2009's Sound Relief concert at the MCG,” Gudinski said, “they left us all wanting more… 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.”

Hunters & Collectors' tribute album, Crucible – The Songs Of Hunters & Collectors will be released the day before the final.

The Grand Final takes place at the MCG on Saturday 28 September.

In July the NRL announced that their rugby league Grand Final will see Ricky Martin headline the entertainment program.

AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou added today: “It's fitting Australia's game has Australia's music as it's soundtrack on the biggest day of the year.”