Tones and I Performs Dance Monkey

Tones and I performed her hit song Dance Monkey at the Deni Ute Muster in regional NSW, on the same weekend as the NRL grand final. The singer was initially supposed to headline the grand final's pre-game show, but talks broke down over her apparent unwillingness to perform the song.

The NRL's Peter V'landys claimed that Tones and I was unwilling to perform Dance Monkey, but her management cited prior commitments and said she was only asked to perform at the start of September. Tones and I later teased Western Australian tour dates with a message saying she would sing all her songs.

The NRL played Dance Monkey over the speakers after the first try of the game, in a move seen as a jab at the singer. However, Tones and I had the last laugh, performing the song herself at the Deni Ute Muster and posting footage on social media with a handshake emoji.

The NRL's pre-game show featured a tribute to former NRL star Jai Arrow and former Wallabies hooker Nathan Charles, both of whom are suffering from motor neurone disease. The show also included performances by local singers, including Amy Shark and Dave Gleeson.

Tones and I has been open about her reluctance to perform Dance Monkey, saying in a 2022 interview that the song has cornered her into one category and limited her collaborations. She has also announced a surprise gig in Echuca, Victoria, just days after pulling out of the NRL grand final.

The NRL's decision to play Dance Monkey after the first try was seen as a petty move by some fans, who took to social media to express their opinions. Others praised the tribute to Jai Arrow and Nathan Charles, saying it was a moving and emotional performance.

The dispute between Tones and I and the NRL has sparked a wider debate about the entertainment at sporting events. The AFL's grand final featured a performance by Kylie Minogue, while the NRL's show was seen as less impressive by some fans.