The National Rugby League (NRL) has dismissed speculation that US star and its grand final performer, Teddy Swims, has cancelled his set this weekend.
Rumours began to swirl that the Georgia-born artist’s performance at Accor Stadium this Sunday will be axed after he was forced to cancel shows last week in Hawaii on doctor’s orders.
“My doctor has not cleared me to sing, and I need a little time to recover before I can give you the show you deserve,” Swims posted on Instagram last Friday.
However, the NRL has since told Rolling Stone AU/NZ that reports that Swims’ show at the grand final this weekend are inaccurate.
Rolling Stone AU/NZ has also contacted Swims’ local record label, Warner Music Australia, for comment.
Swims is also currently scheduled to perform headline shows throughout New Zealand and Australia starting next week. Frontier Touring has also confirmed there are no changes to the upcoming tour.
Earlier this month, NRL head Peter V’landys took a swipe at the AFL’s recruitment of Snoop Dogg for its grand final this past weekend at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, saying: “We saw what the FLA (AFL) got – what’s he called, Labrador or poodle? All I know is it’s a dog act.
Love Music?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in Australian/New Zealand music and globally.
“[Swims] can actually sing. He’s a global act, he’s got billions of downloads and he’s also gonna promote the NRL in America. He’s just a class act and very popular.”
The show was largely met with a positive reaction, with the rap icon also being joined on stage by Australian favourites like Tash Sultana, Baker Boy and Tash Sultana.
Mauboy made a guest appearance midway through to sing “Beautiful”, to a roar from the crowd, while Sultana joined his band for what was a show-stopping performance.
Baker Boy also joined him on stage, accompanied by a powerful choir featuring Emma Donovan and Kee’ahn, both of whom contributed to latest single “THICK SKIN” from his upcoming album DJANDJAY.
Check out the full performance below.
