While all eyes will be on the football field on Sunday ahead of the NRL and NRLW grand finals, there will be plenty of musical talent to keep fans entertained too.
Rock great Jimmy Barnes is the biggest drawcard but there are a host of other artists from all different backgrounds and genres.
Here is a guide to the entertainment ahead of Sunday’s games.
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JIMMY BARNES
The Australian legend is the headline act, with Barnes ready to rock Accor Stadium before Sunday’s decider.
Barnes has 19 No. 1 albums in Australia and has sold more records in this country than any other local artist, taking his musical talents to Sydney for Sunday’s blockbuster game.
“Grand Final Day is a chance for us to all come together and celebrate with the best of the best. I can’t wait to perform with an exciting All-Australian Entertainment Pre-Game Show line up in front of a full house again,” Barnes said.
SHELDON RILEY
Riley may not be a household name like Barnes but he is quickly rising in notoriety after performing on a number of talent shows, including The Voice, X Factor and The Masked Singer.
He also recently represented Australia at Eurovision 2022.
“Performing at the NRL Grand Final is such an insane moment for me in my career,” Riley said.
“To be honest, it’s a stage I never thought I’d have the opportunity to perform on. I’m so honoured and excited to be bringing my voice to this iconic event.”
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BLISS N ESO, featuring JOY.
With almost half a million records sold in Australia alone, Bliss N Eso are one of Australia’s most well-known hip hop acts and will be bringing their talents to Accor Stadium.
They will be performing alongside JOY., who has been following Bliss N Eso since she was young, now on her own music journey after her sophomore EP ‘Six’ had more than 50 million views.
“Feeling super honoured to be able to perform our song MOMENTS for a special tribute to the retiring ‘legends of the game’, and to do this right before the Grand Final begins will be an amazing vibe – we are pumped,” Bliss n Eso said.
“I am very excited to be performing at such a huge event, especially with legends Bliss n Eso, whom I’ve been a huge fan of since I was young,” JOY. added.
JOSH TESKEY
Teskey, who is known for his work with The Teskey Brothers, said he is “so excited to be performing at the NRL grand final and alongside friends and some of my favourite singers and performers, Jimmy Barnes and Emma Donovan”.
“It’s going to be a wild ride,” he added.
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DIESEL
The numbers speak for themselves. Diesel has over 100 million streams, 43 singles, 16 albums, 6 ARIA Awards, record sales around 1 million and has played more than 4000 live shows.
Now he will be lighting up Accor Stadium and is looking forward to the opportunity.
“There is nothing like the energy of that pre-game crowd and performing with Jimmy has always been exciting and inspiring for me,” Diesel said.
“It’s also a time to reflect, be thankful and to celebrate.”
MAHALIA BARNES
Having worked with musical greats like Jimmy Barnes, Cold Chisel, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams and Liam Gallagher, Barnes has plenty of experience in the industry.
She has also carved out her own career, stunning audience with her powerful voice.
“I’m really looking forward to singing with A.GIRL and Emma Donovan at the 2022 NRLW Grand Final’s first ever Pre-Game Show,” the soul and blues talent said.
“It’s going to be a great afternoon filled with music and footy. Let’s hear it for the girls.”
EMMA DONOVAN
An ARIA-nominated Indigenous singer-songwriter, Donovan has been touring for over 20 years, with her latest stop being Accor Stadium.
Of course, her family like many others also has rugby league connections.
“In my family, you were either born a singer or a footballer,” she said.
“My mum was a huge Bunnies fan. I remember sitting in the burrow at games and getting all excited to hear songs like Simply The Best by Tina Turner and anything by Jimmy Barnes – this was such a huge part of my childhood.
“What a dream it is to actually be singing at the NRL, both of my worlds will finally unite”
A.GIRL
A.GIRL is a star on the rise, coming from the underground Hiphop/RnB scene of Western Sydney and also proud of her Maori heritage.
She said she is looking forward to the opportunity to celebrate the talents of women — both in the sporting field and music scene.
“It’s hella good to see the spotlight shine more on women in sport,” A.GIRL said.
“We have some real female bosses on the field and it’s great to see them being valued more and broadcast on national tele. As a woman in music, which is also a male dominated industry, I feel excited to put on a show with some girls, for the girls.
“Boys, you are welcome too, so come see your queens slay in the sporting arena and slay on the music stage.”
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