‘We’re Way Too Rusty’: Silverchair Won’t Be Playing The 2026 NRL Grand Final

The list of artists who won’t be involved in this weekend’s 2026 NRL Grand Final has grown to two, with Silverchair confirming it won’t rise for the occasion.

As previously reported, Tones And I was initially tipped as the headline entertainer for the National Rugby League’s showpiece event, to be staged Sunday, Oct. 4 at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

The “Dance Monkey” singer and songwriter, however, won’t be anywhere near Sydney for kick-off. According to a statement from her team at Lemon Tree Management, Tones was approached to perform the preshow, an offer was presented, but “nothing was signed or confirmed in writing.” Instead, Tones will fulfil a prior commitment with Macklemore in the United States.

In a break from tradition, Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys went on the record as saying he’d rather the money spent on the entertainment — roughly A$1 million — should be reinvested into the sport’s grassroots.

That was last week, an age in sport. Since the story broke on the vacant headline spot, another rugby league tale has captured hearts and headlines.

On Sunday, Sept. 27, the Newcastle Knights advanced to the final game of the season, doing so for the first time in 25 years. The Sydney Roosters await.

Sport can make the toughest of men cry, bring tribes together and facilitate the unlikeliest of reunions. The Knights and the franchise’s resurgence is one such moment, and it has touched the members of Silverchair, the rockers who soundtracked a generation of Aussies. Silverchair are also long-suffering Knights fans, its members Daniel Johns (vocals, guitar), Ben Gillies (drums) and Chris Joannou (bass), born and raised in the “Steel City.”

In a rare and unexpected post, the band insisted they couldn’t and wouldn’t take the gig.

“For the first time in ages, the three of us actually agree wholeheartedly about something: GO KNIGHTS!!!,” reads the post, the first on Silverchair’s official Facebook page in upwards of four years.

“Thanks to everyone who’s asked if we’re playing before the game. We’re way too rusty, so sorry, no can do. We won’t be taking the stage, but we’ll be supporting as loudly as everyone else and there in spirit. Wishing the Newy players all the luck in the world this Sunday.”

If there’s one positive takeaway, it’s the revelation that Johns, Gillies and Joannou are still in touch, communicating and connected to the Knights’ run.

Formed in 1992, the former schoolmates started young and enjoyed the type of career every kid dreams of.

Before they could legally drink or drive, Silverchair was the hottest act in the country, ruling the national ARIA charts with their grunge-influenced 1995 debut album Frogstomp and the powerhouse single “Tomorrow.” Frogstomp went to No. 9 on the Billboard 200, and its followup, 1997’s Freak Show, peaked at No. 12.

Silverchair sold more than six million albums and achieved many firsts in their career. All five of their studio LPs, from Frogstomp through to Young Modern, went to No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart, a feat no other band could match at the time. And by the time they disbanded, they’d collected more ARIA Awards than any other act, with 21.

In 2011, still at the peak of their powers, Silverchair’s members announced they would go their separate ways.

A reunion has never transpired. Joannou and Gillies participated in a two-part Australian Story, which the Australian Broadcasting Corporation aired in 2023. Johns, whose second and most recent solo studio album, FutureNever, hit No. 1 on the ARIA Chart in 2022, did not.

At the time of writing, the NRL Grand Final pre-game entertainment spot remains unfilled.  

Read Silverchair’s full statement below.

Is this thing still on.

For the first time in ages, the three of us actually agree wholeheartedly about something: GO KNIGHTS!!!.

It’s all about the Knights this weekend. We love how footy brings this community together, and it’s pretty special watching the whole Steel City get behind the boys.

Thanks to everyone who’s asked if we’re playing before the game. We’re way too rusty, so sorry, no can do. We won’t be taking the stage, but we’ll be supporting as loudly as everyone else and there in spirit. Wishing the Newy players all the luck in the world this Sunday.

UP THE KNIGHTS!!!

From The Chair