Local Australian musicians have been left furious to discover American pop star Katy Perry is being paid millions to perform the AFL Grand Final.
As the live music scene Down Under buckles beneath the cost of living, the hitmaker, 39, will reportedly make $5million to perform five songs at the MCG on Saturday.
One Melbourne artist took to Facebook on Thursday to slam the AFL for dropping millions on international talent while local musicians struggle to get gigs.
‘Just heard on the radio Katy Perry is getting 5 million for 5 songs at tomorrow AFL gf [sic],’ the local singer wrote in a post he shared with his followers.
‘Surely with the state of the music industry in this country that money could have been better spent.
All Australian line up with outdoor stage with local acts, promoting the best of Melbourne music scene? I get the start factor but 5million bucks for five songs?’
Followers flocked to the musician’s comments to agree, with some saying hiring the international pop star for the AFL Grand Final was ‘not great value for money’.
‘Maybe get a name that is already in the country to do a song or two. It is a massive amount of money,’ they added.
Local Australian musicians have been left furious to discover American pop star Katy Perry, 39, (pictured) is being paid millions to perform the AFL Grand Final
‘Absolutely stupid,’ someone else wrote, as another agreed: ‘Something’s gotta change. That is insane!’
A fourth commented: ‘If true, that is a f**king disgrace.’
One Facebook user said: ‘Seems like a large amount of the population would go see a can of old cat turds wrapped in p**s as long as it was familiar.’
‘That’s a ridiculous number… and a wrong decision to not have an all Australian line up,’ someone else wrote of the $5million price tag.
While many bemoaned Aussie dollars going to Katy for her upcoming performance, there were some who disagreed.
‘Well, she’s probably paying her own sound team and all the other things like insurance and super per person on the line up,’ one person commented.
As the live music scene Down Under buckles beneath the cost of living, the hitmaker will reportedly make $5million to perform five songs at the MCG on Saturday
Another wrote: ‘No Australian act has the profile and appeal. I have tried to think of one and I cannot. Every legendary act is too old now.’
A third noted: ‘To do that they would have to promote local music all year round. The don’t see any money in it. In this case, Americano pop is king.’
Yet another user pointed out that the AFL Grand Final is broadcast in many other countries, not just Australia, so would need to appeal to a wider audience.
‘Let’s face it, most people going to the Grand Final couldn’t care less about Katy Perry but in the bigger picture it makes Australia look grand…’ they said.
‘I don’t agree with it and would prefer Aussie talent but I understand why the AFL do this… Sneaky way to promote our country I think.’
Katy is set to reportedly be paid a staggering $5million to put on a pre-game performance at the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne on Saturday.
One Melbourne artist took to Facebook on Thursday to slam the sporting event for dropping millions on international talent while local musicians struggle to get gigs
The US pop star is being paid the huge amount to sing five songs to a roaring crowd of 100,000 at the MCG before Sydney take on Brisbane, reported the Herald Sun.
The huge sum is said to come with some strings attached—that she performs a selection of older well-known hits, rather than songs from her new 143 LP.
Daily Mail Australia can also confirm Australian pop legend Tina Arena will perform alongside Katy at the huge sporting event.
‘There’s going to be a surprise performance of a favourite Australian artist that I look up to,’ Katy revealed on Channel Seven breakfast show Sunrise.
‘She will be singing a little bit with me, I’ll be singing a little bit with her. I’ve been sworn to secrecy, locked up, chains, all of it.’
Followers flocked to the musician’s comments to agree, with some saying hiring the international pop star for the AFL Grand Final was ‘not great value for money’
While many bemoaned Aussie dollars going to Katy for her upcoming performance, there were some who disagreed
Katy’s telling use of the word ‘chains’ led viewers to suspect she was hinting at performing alongside Tina, who had a huge hit in 1994 with a song of that name.
Australia’s live music industry has struggled to stay afloat in recent years, with several massive local festivals cancelling due to low ticket sales.
Birdsville Big Red Bash won’t host a festival in 2025 while Australia’s longest running music festival Bluesfest called it quits after 35 years, with 2025 their last show.
Other festivals scrapped this year include The Harvest Rock music festival, Spilt Milk, Splendour in the Grass, Groovin the Moo, ValleyWays and Tent Pole Music Festival.
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