Kylie Minogue delivered a high-budget medley of hits at the 2026 AFL Grand Final at Melbourne's MCG on Saturday. While the pop icon wore custom Dolce and Gabbana ensembles,her performance drew significant criticism from television viewers regarding audio quality and vocal delivery.
Custom Dolce and Gabbana and Bared Footwear's $3 million moment
Kylie Minogue's performance at the 2026 Toyota Australian Football League Grand Final was a high-stakes display of celebrity branding. The pop star, performing in her hometown of Melbourne, wore a series of custom-made ensembles from the Italian fashion house Dolce and Gabbana.. According to the report, these looks included a cotton mesh tank top and a vintage jersey T-shirt minidress, both designed by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
The $3 million appearance fee for the singer was matched by the visual scale of the show at the Melbourne Cricket Ground . Bared Footwear also played a central role in the visual presentation, providing three custom iterations of the Pandion boot in gold, silver, and patent black. Bared Footwear founder Anna Baird personally escorted the custom boots from a factory in China to Melbourne to ensure they arrived safely for the match between the Brisbane Lions and Fremantle Dockers.
Bared Footwear's surge from Coachella to the MCG
The success of the footwear on the MCG stage follows a significant period of growth for the Melbourne-based brand. The company reports that sales in the United States have spiked 80 percent over the last six months, with the U.S. market now representing nearly 15 percent of total sales. This expansion comes after the brand gained significant traction through high-profile celebrity endorsements.
Influencers and global stars have previously bolstered Bared Footwear's profile, including appearances by Alix Earle at Coachella and Blackpink's Jennie Kim at a Polish music festival . This momentum reached a peak during the AFL Grand Final, even as the musical performance itself faced scrutiny from the viewing public.
Why viewers labeled the 11-song medley "bloody shocking"
Public reception to the 11-song medley was sharply divided, with many home viewers expressing disappointment on social media. Critics described the set as "bloody shocking" and "horrendously bad," with some viewers specifically targeting the audio quality and the perceived lack of live energy. The set, which featured hits ranging from "Confide In Me" to "Padam Padam," failed to land with a segment of the television audience.
Several viewers alleged that the performance felt like "karaoke versions" of Minogue's greatest hits. These complaints suggest a disconnect between the high-production value of the fashion and the perceived quality of the live musical execution, with one user noting that the band did not seem to be playing at all.
The mystery of the "karaoke" vocals at the MCG
Unresolved questions remain regarding the technical execution of the set, particularly concerning the audio levels and the band's involvement. While some viewers noted the band seemed disconnected, it remains unverified whether the issues were due to a technical malfunction or a deliberate production choice . The report does not clarify if there was a specific reason for the perceived lack of live singing, a claim made by multiple disgruntled spectators.
Without a formal statement from Minogue's team or the AFL, the gap between the $3 million price tag and the audience's reaction remains a point of contention. It is currently unknown if the audio issues were localized to the broadcast or if they affected the live experience of the 100,000 fans in attendance.
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