Angry backlash as Aussie rock legends cut short in Origin snub

Fans have been left angry after The Living End rocked the Adelaide Oval before the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday night.

The rock trio were the headline act for the pre-match entertainment and blew plenty of fans away as they took the stage.

The six-time ARIA-winning rockers were widely applauded across social media in the minutes following their performance, but there was also an angry backlash towards Channel 9’s broadcast of the spectacle.

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The band’s hit single ‘White Noise’ was screened live, but the live feed then cut to an ad break as the band was launching into its second tune.

The view inside Adelaide Oval. Photo: Twitter.Source: TwitterIndigenous dancers perform before game one of the 2023 State of Origin series. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.Source: Getty ImagesThe Living End perform before origin. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.Source: Getty Images

Some fans were also a bit disappointed that event organisers chose to overlook any local South Australian acts, including the Hilltop Hoods — instead giving the gig to the veteran Melbourne act.

The most heated reaction was towards the decision to cut to an ad break which featured a promotional segment by corporate bookmaker Sportsbet.

One fan wrote: “Living End singing “White noise white noise _ All that I’m hearing from you is white noise white noise” and then handing over to the Channel 9 commentary team is almost too perfect”.

Another fan wrote: “Don’t care about the gambling odds, put the Living End back on!! And now they have gone to an advert. Do better Nine”.

One fan wrote: “I don’t normally watch #stateoforigin so I don’t know if this type of behaviour is typical but why the hell wouldn’t they broadcast The Living End’s 2nd song?”.

The Living End is no newcomer to stadium shows at Aussie sporting events, having blown the crowd away at the 2016 AFL Grand Final and the 2008 NRL Grand Final.