The Kid Laroi divides NRL Grand Final fans with pre-game performance cover of iconic INXS hit – as viewers slam him for starting his set 30 minutes late
The Kid Laroi took to the stage at the 2024 NRL Grand Final at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Sunday night with an incredible pre-game performance.
However, the Australian rapper, 21, divided viewers when he closed the set with a cover of Australian rock band INXS’s 1987 song Never Tear Us Apart.
Fans and critics flocked to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share their thoughts, with some saying the musician had ‘balls’ to attempt to cover the iconic hit.
‘It takes some balls to tackle the INXS classic. The Kid Laroi was fine with it… have heard worse,” one person wrote.
“I give Kid Laroi credit for having the balls to tackle an INXS classic!” said another.
Meanwhile, others were furious about the singer-songwriter who dared to touch such a ‘classic’.
“Okay, he just lost me – damn no slaughter of Australian classics whipper snapper – Kid Laroi. Michael Hutchence [late INXS frontman] turning in his grave,” said one user.
“Thank you Kid Laroi for reminding me why Michael Hutchence is so iconic. Very hard to do him justice with a version of Never Tear Us Apart,” another added.
The Kid Laroi took to the stage at the 2024 NRL Grand Final at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Sunday night with an incredible pre-game performance
A third wrote: ‘I should have left INXS off your setlist Kid Laroi.’
While some slammed the young Australian artist for his tribute, other fans sang his praises for putting on an ‘epic’ performance.
“The Kid Laroi just knocked it out of the park at the #NRLGrandFinal,” one user wrote.
“I AM SO JEALOUSSS THIS KID LAROI PERFORMANCE IS EPIC,” said another.
Someone else added: “Boy Laroi is extremely talented and I can’t hear any different.”
The NRL getting Kid Laroi is so bloody goat,” one wrote, while someone else said: “Alright take us away Mr The Kid Laroi.”
However, the Australian rapper, 21, divided viewers when he closed the set with a cover of Australian rock band INXS’s 1987 song Never Tear Us Apart.
Moments before the set, viewers at home watching the NRL Grand Final between Panthers and Storm on Channel Nine slammed the artist for being late.
Laroi was scheduled to start at Sydney’s Accor Stadium at 6:30 PM but did not take the stage until shortly after 7:00 PM.
“When is Kid Laroi singing,” one person said, while another added, “Kid Laroi – advertised all week at 6:30 p.m., will take the stage around 7:05 p.m.”
‘Shouldn’t the entertainment start at half past six? Why is Kid Laroi late?’ another wrote.
Someone else joked: “So it turns out they meant Kid Laroi at 6.30pm South Australian time.”
There’s more to come.
Fans and critics flocked to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share their thoughts, with some saying the musician had ‘balls’ to attempt to cover the iconic hit