Australia’s inaugural Eurovision contestant, Guy Sebastian, performed to a sell out crowd of 83,000 at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium before the rugby league State of Origin last night.
Australia’s first ever entrant at Eurovision, Guy Sebastian performed his new single ‘Choir’ in front of a capacity crowd at Sydney’s national stadium. Sebastian was the pre-game entertainment before the deciding 2019 State of Origin game, which saw New South Wales score a last minute try to beat Queensland 26 – 20.
State of Origin pits rugby league players ‘originating’ from the Australian states of NSW and Queensland against each other in a three match series. Since it’s first series in 1980, Origin has become a huge, annual sporting event watched around the world.
Sebastian was chosen as the pre-game act for the 2019 ‘decider’ in Sydney. With both states locked in a one game apiece deadlock, the final game proved to be the showcase event.
The Voice Australia judge performed his new single ‘Choir’ for the packed ANZ Stadium. After starting the performance seated at a piano, Sebastian then took to the centre stage surrounded by a group of colourful backing dancers.
Performing not only to those millions watching at home in Australia, the Origin decider was shown live across the world. Giving Sebastian the perfect platform to sell his new single.
You can watch Sebastian’s performance of ‘Choir’ at the State of Origin decider here.
Twitter reacts
With the aim to ‘fire-up’ viewers before the main sporting event, Sebastian’s performance arguably fired-up some rugby fans in the wrong way.
Users on Twitter were divided over whether the former Eurovision contestant was the correct choice to perform at one of Australia’s biggest sporting occasions.
Some preferred an act who would have been a lot edgier.
While others questioned whether Sebastian’s new single was the best choice to ‘pump-up’ the feverish New South Wales crowd.
However, the majority seemed pleased that one of Australia’s biggest artists graced the Origin stage.
The song shot back up to the top of the Australia iTunes chart soon after the Origin performance.
