Katy Perry Responds to AFL Grand Final Setlist Controversy, Confirms She Will Perform “Roar”
Katy Perry has found herself at the center of a controversy ahead of her much-anticipated performance at the 2024 AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where the Sydney Swans will face off against the Brisbane Lions. The pop star, known for her chart-topping hits, had been preparing to headline the event, but not without some drama brewing around her setlist and the scheduling of rehearsals.
One of the major issues that arose early in the week involved the Brisbane Lions being limited to just one training session at the MCG, as Perry's rehearsals were scheduled to take place at the same time. This caused some tension between the Lions and AFL organizers, as the team had hoped for an additional session to prepare for the big game.
The second and more widely discussed controversy revolved around Perry's setlist for the performance. The AFL reportedly requested that the singer stick to her biggest hits, such as “Roar,” “Firework,” and “Teenage Dream,” avoiding songs from her newest album 143 , which has received poor critical reception. In fact, the album has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the lowest-rated albums on review aggregator Metacritic in the past 15 years. Despite Perry’s desire to promote her new material, a compromise was eventually reached, allowing her to perform just one track from the album, with the rest of the setlist composed of her classic hits.
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What further fueled the debate was whether or not Perry should perform her 2013 hit "Roar," a song that has been closely associated with the Brisbane Lions. Concerns were raised that the song’s inclusion in the setlist could be seen as favoritism towards the Queensland team, sparking heated discussions across Australian media. Host Karl Stefanovic, on the Today Show , passionately argued that it would be "ridiculous" for Perry to skip such a major hit over perceived bias.
In a candid interview with the Melbourne radio show Fifi, Fev & Nick , Perry humorously addressed the controversy, saying she had been told to cut "Roar" from her set. However, after some playful prodding from the show's co-host and former Brisbane Lions player Brendan Fevola, Perry eventually relented, stating, “Okay, I’ll play it. I’ll play it.” This on-air exchange seemed to put the issue to rest, much to the delight of fans.
Aside from the setlist saga, rumors have been circulating that Perry might be joined on stage by an Australian music icon during her performance, with many speculating that it could be Tina Arena. Perry, however, remained tight-lipped on the matter, leaving fans in suspense for the big reveal during the show.
Despite the pre-show drama, Katy Perry's performance at the AFL Grand Final is expected to be a spectacular event, continuing the AFL's tradition of securing high-profile international artists. Following in the footsteps of Robbie Williams in 2022 and KISS in 2023, Perry’s appearance is already one of the most talked-about moments leading up to the game. AFL executive Kylie Rogers expressed the league’s excitement, calling Perry an “international music icon” who would electrify the MCG crowd and the millions watching worldwide.
With the controversies now seemingly behind her, Perry is set to take the stage and deliver a high-energy performance that fans won’t soon forget. Whether you're a footy fan or just tuning in for the entertainment, all eyes will be on Perry as she brings her global star power to one of Australia’s biggest sporting events.
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