Silverchair makes decision amid pleas to reunite for special performance at NRL grand final
Knights legend Andrew Johns led the charge for the band he famously ‘kidnapped’ to get back together for Sunday’s decider.
Aussie music legends Silverchair have taken to social media to address calls for them to reunite for Sunday’s NRL grand final between the Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters.
Sadly for fans of the rock band behind Freak, Anthem for the Year 2000 and Straight Lines, there appears no Tomorrow for the three-piece, who announced an “indefinite hiatus” in 2011.
Former frontman Daniel Johns hosed down appeals for them to reform as a one-off, but said that “for the first time in ages, the three of us actually agree wholeheartedly about something. GO KNIGHTS.”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“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,” Johns said.
“Thanks to everyone who’s asked if we’re playing before the game.
“We’re 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.”
Newcastle legend Andrew Johns famously “kidnapped” his namesake in the wake of the Knights’ maiden premiership win in 1997, dragging the then 18-year-old frontman out of bed with his own rendition of the band’s chart-topper, Freak.
Johns, along with brother Matthew, said earlier this week he had attempted to make contact with Daniel in a bid to pull off one of rock’s more unlikely reunions.
The band have not performed since 2010 and announced their split the following year.
Bassist Chris Joannou and drummer Ben Gillies — in their 2023 memoir Love and Pain — described the final years of Silverchair as an “emotional rollercoaster”, claiming they didn’t know the band was ending until an alert from their management that a press release was imminent.
“We wanted to scream,” they wrote.
“It shouldn’t have ended like that.
“At the very least, we owed it to ourselves to have a face-to-face adult conversation and make the decision together.”
Johns said previously: “I wouldn’t even get Silverchair back together again for $1 million and a gun to my head.”
The NRL has faced criticism about its grand final entertainment after talks with Tones and I broke down, and Kylie Minogue grabbed headlines with her performance at the AFL grand final.
On Monday NRL supremo Pater V’landys teased a mystery 11-minute slot before kick off at Accor Stadium.
And the league will honour Jai Arrow, who has become one of the public faces of the fight against MND in Australia.
Arrow will complete a lap of honour while Aussie musicians perform the iconic song You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Originally published on 7NEWS
