The Australian national anthem will be performed by Cody Simpson before the NFL’s first-ever regular season game held in Australia, and he says the weight of expectation is already upon him.
The 29-year-old singer and swimmer will perform “Advance Australia Fair” at the Melbourne Cricket Ground before the Los Angeles Rams face the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Sept. 10. More than 100,000 fans are expected at the venue, which Simpson told The Hit Network’s Carrie & Tommy can be a “pretty daunting place when it’s full.”
“I’m super stoked,” he said. “I half grew up over in L.A., I moved over when I was 13 and got signed. So, it’s cool to come over and be a part of the first NFL game on Aussie soil.”
Simpson’s Anthem History
Simpson has been performing the national song for almost a decade, so he brings significant experience to the big stage. This is not his first time singing it at a major sporting event.
- Performed “Advance Australia Fair” at the AFL Grand Final in 2024
- Sang before the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse in 2022
- Delivered the anthem at the Australia Day NBA match between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavs in 2016
“I’m going to do it the exact same way. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he told the station.
Simpson said he would be “lying” if he claimed he felt no anxiety about the performance. But the Queenslander has handled crowds before, and he knows what works.
A Daunting Venue
The MCG itself adds to the challenge. Simpson told Carrie & Tommy that the venue can be a “pretty daunting place when it’s full,” and with more than 100,000 sports fans expected to be watching on, it will certainly be full.
It is not merely about the number of people present. The venue has a long history in Australian sport, and standing alone at its center comes with its own burden.
Melbourne’s Sporting Pedigree
Melbourne is arguably Australia’s sports capital. The city hosted the Olympics in 1956, presents the Melbourne Cup every year, and is the home of Australian rules football, the national sport.
There is great demand for tickets to the NFL game. The question remains whether the sport can hold its own in a crowded field where other games already draw large crowds.
“It’s hard to tell because it’s somewhat of a novelty,” Simpson explained. “I feel like as Australians we have a natural interest in American culture, and there’s an interest to see something new at the MCG. It’s going to be cracking.”
The Jonas Brothers on the Bill
The Jonas Brothers are confirmed for the half-time slot, and Simpson is happy they are joining him on the bill. He will not be the sole performer at the event.
“I haven’t seen them in years but it’s unreal that they’re coming to do it,” he remarked. “They’ve got a bigger job than I’ve got… I’ve just got to do one song.”
It could downplay how difficult the job actually is. Performing the anthem in front of a large audience is a demanding assignment, and Simpson understands that the size of the venue increases the pressure.
A Career in Music
Simpson brings more than pop credibility to the job. As a recording artist, he has landed five titles on the Billboard 200, including a top 10 appearance with 2013’s Surfers Paradise, which peaked at No. 10.
For over a decade he has performed before large crowds, and his time in the spotlight began when he moved to Los Angeles at age 13, having been signed there. The pop career he built gave him his stage presence.
A Career in the Pool
The Australian swimmer Simpson has competed internationally, winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. A specialist in the butterfly stroke, he took gold in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay, and also earned silver in the 4x100m medley, both at 2022.
He was chosen for Australia’s team for the 2022 Duel in the Pool against the United States thanks to his hard work. His sporting history gives him insight into how to deliver under pressure while a whole nation watches.
Ready for the Moment
Simpson’s anxiety is genuine, and he does not try to conceal it. Yet he understands how uncommon his chance is.
“I’m going to do it the exact same way. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Simpson’s voice will open the game, and when the match begins at the MCG, the crowd will be so large that the event will become a part of history.
Thursday, Sept. 10, sees the NFL Melbourne Game kick off at the MCG at 8.35pm.
Source: billboard.com
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