It was recently revealed that Katy Perry is the 2024 AFL Grand Final Headliner, and the big day is drawing closer.
On Saturday, September 28th, the US pop legend will headline the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment, performing hit after hit from her packed discography.
“I’m so excited to be back in Australia and back at the mighty MCG to perform in front of 100,000 of the best and loudest fans in the world at this year’s Toyota AFL Grand Final. See you in September Oi Oi Oi!” Perry said in a statement when her headline slot was officially announced.
General Manager Customer and Commercial Kylie Rogers echoed Perry’s excitement: “Katy Perry is an international music icon who has been entertaining fans with her chart-topping hits for many years, so the AFL is delighted to have her join us at the 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final in what will be a spectacular Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment performance,” Rogers said.
Such a showpiece occasion won’t frighten Perry though, who is used to such grand stages. The “I Kissed a Girl” singer has performed at the 2015 NFL Super Bowl XLIX and 2020 ICC T20 Women’s World Cup, and just this week performed a medley of her iconic songs at the 2024 VMAs infront of fellow pop stars like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Camila Cabello.
One week before her AFL Grand Final appearance, Perry will release her fascinating new album, 143, which signals a stunning reinvention. So far, singles from 143 have showcased Perry as a fierce alt-pop artist akin to Charli XCX, a total transformation from her earlier career.
“I set out to create a bold, exuberant, celebratory dance-pop album with the symbolic 143 numerical expression of love as a throughline message,” Perry said of her album in a statement.
As reported by Rolling Stone, 143 found Perry reconnecting with former collaborators like Max Martin and Dr. Luke, as well as inviting some new collaborators into the fold.
So, ahead of a big few weeks for Perry, we decided to take a look at Perry’s five biggest hits in Australia (as per their performance on the ARIA Singles Chart), which you can check out below.
Perry knows she has another hit on her hands thanks to her new collaboration with Denon. Perry joined forces with the audio technology pioneers for the new range of Denon PerL – True Wireless earbuds, poised to create an ultimate listening experience for fans that will enhance their connection to Perry’s new music.
“I Kissed a Girl” – #1 (2008)
The one that started it all for Perry. The pop-rock song was initially criticised for its bi-curious narrative, but it quickly became one of the most notable LGBTQ+ songs of the 2000s. The accompanying music video definitely helped make it a global hit, and the numbers behind “I Kissed a Girl” say it all: as well as Australia, the song topped the charts in the US, UK, and in most European countries.
It would eventually become certified platinum in Australia, and also became the 10th best-selling single in the 21st century. If you were around in the 2000s, you definitely heard “I Kissed a Girl” on the radio hundreds of times.
California Gurls – #1 (2010)
Another hit song, another iconic music video to go with it. The lead single on Perry’s third studio album, Teenage Dream, “California Gurls” memorably featured a guest spot from Snoop Dogg. Perry and Snoop might have made for an unlikely pairing on paper, but they delivered the goods, providing a response to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ New York City tribute song “Empire State of Mind” (according to Perry herself).
A true Song of the Summer, “California Gurls” was a celebration of, as its title suggests, the sunny state of California, and the song even earned the praise of the legendary Beach Boys member Brian Wilson.
Credit: Denon
No stranger to a big duet after working with Snoop (and others), Perry will be hoping for similar success through her Denon collaboration. The new Denon PerL True Wireless earbuds are primed to make songs like “California Gurls” sound even better.
Teenage Dream – #2 (2010)
In the same year as “California Gurls,” Perry had another major hit in Australia on her hands. The title track from Teenage Dream didn’t do quite as well as her previous single, but a #2 position still highlighted her growing popularity Down Under.
Where “I Kissed a Girl” was teasing and “California Gurls” was euphoric, “Teenage Dream” was much sweeter, Perry looking back fondly at young love. So, if you’re really in a sombre mood, wishing to reflect on your youth, Denon’s PerL range offers 6-hour battery (18 via case) life, meaning you can play melancholic songs like “Teenage Dream” again and again.
“Teenage Dream” earned Perry her third nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal performance at the Grammy Awards, and Billboard ranked the song as one of the 500 Best Pop Songs of All Time just last year (placed at #38).
“Roar” – #1 (2013)
Arena-ready anthem? Easy prey for Perry. Five years after “I Kissed a Girl” made such a storm, Perry showed that she could still unload a smash hit on the music world with “Roar.”
The self-empowering song featured lyrics urging Perry’s listeners to stand up for themselves, and to face every challenge with confidence. That’s why it’s helpful that the PerL Pro series is weather and sweat resistant: when you’re blasting “Roar” on your morning run, getting ready for the day ahead, you can’t have your tech failing on you.
“Roar” completely dominated the Australian charts in 2013, and no song was more popular in the country that year.
“Rise” – #1 (2016)
At the time of writing, this is Perry’s last song to top the ARIA Singles Chart, although 143 might change that. Popular throughout the rest of the world again, especially in Europe, “Rise” was a classic Perry anthem of empowerment, encouraging her listeners to rise above their opponents.
It might not have been as buoyant as her previous hits like “Roar,” but “Rise” still packed an emotional punch. When you’re really in the zone, Perry’s emotive lyrics washing over you, the PerL Pro series’ adaptive active noise cancellation enables you to block out all distractions.
“Music has always been a huge part of my life. It’s not just about listening; it’s about feeling every note and experiencing the music in a way that resonates with who I am – immersed in every detail. And Denon PerLs deliver that. They sound made just for me,” Perry says about her Denon collaboration.
“This partnership aligned perfectly with the timing of my new dance-pop record and will help my fans tap into a sound experience that’s as unique as they are. With Denon PerL, my fans will feel every beat of their favourite songs, including my new single, ‘Woman’s World,’ and upcoming album.”
Available in black or white finishes, PerL and PerL Pro earbuds provide the kind of sound design you’d expect from over 100 years of Denon audio mastery, but personalised and tuned in step with who you are.
Find out more about the Denon PerL series here.
