Brief
Johns brothers push Silverchair to play NRL grand final
The Knights legends are urging the re‑formed rock band to perform a one‑night reunion at the grand final, citing the need for entertainment after last week’s failed negotiations.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Andrew and Matthew Johns have been campaigning for former rock band Silverchair to perform at the NRL grand final, saying the entertainment slot is empty after talks with Tones & I collapsed last week. The brothers, who are Knights legends, have reached out to drummer Ben Gillies and bassist Chris Joannou, who are reportedly willing to play for one night only. Andrew Johns, 47, has said he has privately discussed the idea with ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys, who has hinted at a grand final surprise. The NRL has not confirmed any plans and Accor Stadium staff are unaware of specific entertainment arrangements. The Knights’ 1997 premiership celebrations saw Andrew Johns drag a 15‑year‑old Daniel Johns out of bed to join the team, a moment the brothers recall fondly. The band has not played publicly since 2010, and a music agent warned that a week‑and‑a‑half’s notice would make a quality performance difficult. Despite the challenges, the Johns brothers remain optimistic, joking that 75,000 Newcastle fans would sing along if Silverchair played 15 minutes before kick‑off. The NRL’s pre‑game entertainment remains undecided as the grand final approaches.
Key facts
- Andrew and Matthew Johns are campaigning for Silverchair to play the NRL grand final (smh.com.au)
- Silverchair drummer Ben Gillies and bassist Chris Joannou are reportedly willing to perform for one night (smh.com.au)
- Talks with Tones & I fell through last week, leaving the entertainment slot empty (smh.com.au)
- The NRL has not confirmed any plans and Accor Stadium staff are unaware of specific arrangements (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “NRL 2026 grand final entertainment: Andrew and Matthew Johns campaign for Silverchair reunion”
