Eskimo Joe sent fans wild at Optus Stadium.
Camera IconEskimo Joe sent fans wild at Optus Stadium. Credit: Ian Munro/The West Australian

AFL grand final 2021: Pre-game entertainment featuring Baker Boy and Eskimo Joe sends fans wild

Staff writerPerthNow

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Fans have gone wild for the AFL grand final’s “magic” pre-game entertainment, which showcased a host of WA musos including Eskimo Joe and John Butler

The all-Aussie medley kicked off with Abbe May, who is scared of heights, giving the regular Optus “rock man” a run for his money, shredding on the guitar on the top of the stadium.

May’s sister Noni told how she shed tears of joy as she heard the rendition of ACDC’s classic Thunderstruck.

May send the internet alight, with one fan told how the rendition gave them “goosebumps” and others saying they wanted to see more of the singer.

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Baker Boy, sporting a blue satin tracksuit, upped the tempo surrounded by energetic backup dancers.

Baker Boy and his army of dancers.
Camera IconBaker Boy and his army of dancers. Credit: Kelsey Reid/The West Australian

The proud Yolngu man and fast-rising rapper threw a bit of a curveball taking on pop princess Kylie Minogue’s hit, Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.

Baker Boy alone would have been the best GF entertainment ever, so this is by FAR the best grand final entertainment ever,” wrote one footy fan.

Baker Boy was one of the most popular acts of the pre-game entertainment.
Camera IconBaker Boy was one of the most popular acts of the pre-game entertainment. Credit: 7NEWS/AFL

“Baker Boy delivering the goddam goods!” wrote another.

Playing the yidaki during his own song, Meditijn, was another huge stand out of his performance.

Veteran muso John Butler was next on the stage with his hit Ocean before Stella Donnelly, Vicki Thorn, Donna Simpson, Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse joined the ARIA-winner for Great Southern Land.

John Butler performed Ocean.
Camera IconJohn Butler performed Ocean. Credit: Ian Munro/The West Australian

Singer songwriter Williams, sung in Noongar, the Indigenous language she and her musical partner Ghouse are reviving.

Kav Temperley lapped up every minute of his moment in the spotlight.
Camera IconKav Temperley lapped up every minute of his moment in the spotlight. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The Sunday Times

But it was Eskimo Joe’s Kav Temperley who set the stadium rocking with rock anthem Black Fingernails, Red Wine before breaking out into INXS’ hit Kick.

“Eskimo joe superb, probably best pre-game for a long time,” gushed one viewer.

He was accompanied by a saxophonist, UWA’s Erin Royer, who herself was a hit with fans.

Men at Work singer Colin Hay rounded off the pre-match entertainment with Aussie classic Down Under. Hay was beamed into the stadium from an idyllic beach to perform in a pretty special scarf with both teams’ colours.