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Should the AFL Grand Final Always Be Headlined by an Australian Artist?
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
As another AFL season begins, a familiar cultural debate has returned to centre stage: should the AFL Grand Final entertainment always feature Australian artists?
Here at Aussie Wave, we believe the answer is yes. Australia’s biggest sporting event deserves a soundtrack that reflects the depth, diversity and strength of its own music scene.
For years, the pre-game spectacle has sparked conversation. While international headliners have brought global attention to the event, critics argue that Australia’s biggest sporting moment should also be a celebration of its own musical identity.
That argument has gained fresh momentum following a recent Instagram post from @_saveourarts, who have partnered with @homegroundgf in a campaign calling for Australian bands to headline the AFL Grand Final “this year, and forever more.”
“As part of a push to get more Australian music on our stages, speakers, and charts, Save Our Arts is campaigning with @homegroundgf to get Australian bands headlining the @afl Grand Final this year, and forever more!” the group wrote.
The post also referenced past international bookings with a touch of humour: “Thank Meatloaf and Snoop but we reckon we’ve got this.” Quoting legendary commentator Dennis Cometti, they added, “talent, it’s coming out of our ears.”
In the coming weeks, the campaign will see footy fans, musicians and public figures submitting AFL tips alongside nominations of Australian songs they would like to hear at the Grand Final. The selections will form a ladder-style voting system via homegroundgf.com, with songs to be added following Opening Round.
The timing of the campaign reflects a broader conversation about local content in Australia’s cultural landscape. In recent years, concerns have been raised about declining Australian music representation across radio, streaming platforms and major live events. Supporters of an all-Australian Grand Final lineup argue that the event presents a rare national platform capable of showcasing the depth and diversity of homegrown talent.
And that talent is substantial. Australia continues to produce globally recognised artists across rock, pop, electronic, country and hip-hop. From arena-filling veterans to rising independent acts breaking through internationally, the country’s music ecosystem remains vibrant and competitive on the world stage.
The AFL Grand Final is more than a pre-game concert. It is one of the most-watched broadcasts of the year, a defining cultural moment that blends sport, entertainment and national identity. For some, it makes sense that such a moment should reflect Australian voices and stories. Others maintain that the league’s priority should be securing the biggest possible spectacle, regardless of where the performer comes from.
The question, then, is not simply about music. It is about cultural representation and the message the AFL chooses to send on its biggest day of the year.
Should the Grand Final stage always belong to Australian artists? Or should it remain open to the world?
As the season unfolds, the conversation appears far from over.
