2017 NRL Grand Final: Macklemore plays ‘Same Love’

Macklemore has defiantly played his same-sex marriage anthem ‘Same Love’ during the NRL Grand Final pregame show despite calls from a former prime minister to ban the artist from performing the song.

The Grammy Award-winning artist performed his hit song in front of as many as 80,000 people on Sunday night despite criticism from Tony Abbott, Bob Katter and a number of ‘No’ voters for mixing politics with sport.

Abbott took to Twitter last week to voice his opposition to the song, saying fans shouldn’t be subjected to the agenda.

‘Footy fans shouldn’t be subjected to a politicised grand final. Sport is sport,’ he said.

Macklemore responded to the comments in a radio interview, dismissing the idea he wouldn’t perform the song.

‘It’s interesting actually cause I’m gonna play Same Love and they’re going through trying to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia.’

‘So I’m getting a lot of tweets from angry old white dudes in Australia. Today I think there is a petition to ban me from playing,’ he said.

 

Macklemore has defiantly played his same-sex marriage anthem ‘Same Love’ during the NRL Grand Final pregame show despite calls from a former prime minister to ban the artist from performing the song

Lit up phone screens could be seen being waved throughout ANZ Stadium in an overwhelming show of support for the song and Macklemore's campaign

Lit up phone screens could be seen being waved throughout ANZ Stadium in an overwhelming show of support for the song and Macklemore’s campaign

'It's interesting actually cause I'm gonna play Same Love and they're going through trying to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia'

‘It’s interesting actually cause I’m gonna play Same Love and they’re going through trying to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia’

Rainbow-coloured fireworks were launched at the completion of the song with cheers echoing throughout the arena in a strong showing of equality

Rainbow-coloured fireworks were launched at the completion of the song with cheers echoing throughout the arena in a strong showing of equality

Macklemore closed his pregame show with the hit on Sunday to the deafening cheers of the crowd.

Lit up phone screens could be seen being waved throughout ANZ Stadium in an overwhelming show of support for the song and Macklemore’s campaign.

Rainbow-coloured fireworks were launched at the completion of the song with cheers echoing throughout the arena in a strong showing of equality. 

Social media went into a frenzy during the song, with celebrities praising the rapper for the performance.

‘Here’s my bit of free speech – was great and I hope the precious snowflakes who wanted him censored survived those sweet tunes,’ Ben Fordham said.

‘Rugby league just went from a game played in NSW and QLD to a game for all. All thanks to @macklemore #samelove #NRLGrandFinal’ Dr Chris Brown tweeted.

‘Incredible response from the crowd to @macklemore So moving,’ Lisa Wilkinson said.  

Social media went into a frenzy during the song, with celebrities praising the rapper for the performance

Social media went into a frenzy during the song, with celebrities praising the rapper for the performance

Lit up phone screens could be seen being waved throughout ANZ Stadium in an overwhelming show of support for the song and Macklemore's campaign

Lit up phone screens could be seen being waved throughout ANZ Stadium in an overwhelming show of support for the song and Macklemore’s campaign

Macklemore closed his pregame show with the hit on Sunday to the deafening cheers of the crowd

Macklemore closed his pregame show with the hit on Sunday to the deafening cheers of the crowd

‘Same Love’, which hit number in Australia during its release in 2013, again topped the charts this past week in retaliation to Abbott’s ‘hypocritical’ comments.

Images of anti-Macklemore messages gratified around Sydney were not reciprocated inside the stadium.

The NRL also conveyed a strong message of support, displaying ‘We Stand For Inclusiveness’ on the big screens around the stadium. 

With the circus show surrounding the song now over, attention can finally turn to the action on the field.   

The NRL also conveyed a strong message of support, displaying 'We Stand For Inclusiveness' on the big screens around the stadium

The NRL also conveyed a strong message of support, displaying ‘We Stand For Inclusiveness’ on the big screens around the stadium

Images of anti-Macklemore messages gratified around Sydney were not reciprocated inside the stadium

Images of anti-Macklemore messages gratified around Sydney were not reciprocated inside the stadium

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