Peking Duk Denies NRL Grand Final Performance Amidst Artist Withdrawals
The electronic music duo, featuring Abbie Chatfield's boyfriend Adam Hyde, humorously dismissed rumors they would perform at the Sydney event, joining a list of artists who have pulled out.
Peking Duk, the musical duo comprising Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles, has officially denied speculation they would perform at the NRL Grand Final in Sydney on Sunday night. The band, known for its electronic music, humorously addressed the rumors via social media, stating they had "a few theories on why" they weren't slated to perform.
Among their playful reasons were that they had already performed at the 2018 State of Origin, that they do not play their hit song "Dance Monkey" in their sets, and that "they never got the call-up." The band also noted they were scheduled to play in Cairns on the same night.
This announcement follows a series of withdrawals from the event's entertainment lineup. Australian rock band Silverchair and singer Tones and I had previously confirmed they would not be performing. Silverchair, which disbanded in 2011, was the subject of a social media campaign urging them to reunite for the event. However, the band released a statement confirming they were "too rusty" to perform but expressed support for the Knights team.
NRL chairman Peter V'landys had previously teased a "big surprise" for the pre-game entertainment, stating that fans would be "entertained" in the 11 minutes before kickoff, without revealing the act.
Earlier in the week, it was revealed that the 2026 NRL Grand Final pre-game festivities would include an emotional lap of honor for retired South Sydney player Jai Arrow. The ongoing changes to the entertainment have added a layer of uncertainty to the event's programming.