4.52 million people watched Kylie Minogue’s performance at the MCG (and the AFL Grand Final) on the weekend, and it was amazing. But where did that giant footy come from? How did Kylie get changed so quickly? And then there’s the collective queer joy of Kylie and G Flip. Superfan Owen Lambourn saw it all and shares the tea.
The Brisbane Lions may have won the 2026 AFL Grand Final, but the true winner was all of us getting to witness Kylie Minogue perform the biggest production ever staged at the MCG.
The twenty-minute performance featured a Minogue medley and guest spots from G Flip, William Barton, Dom Dolla and The Inspired Unemployed.
View this post on Instagram
The men’s footy season may be over, but the Team Kylie fever has yet to die down. Especially for Kylie superfan Owen, who told QNews that “Watching the show live at the MCG was like a covert operation.”
“The mechanics and the precision for a production of that scale were something I’d never seen before.”
(And he has seen a lot.)
Related Content:
- Kylie soars with a Minogue medley kicking off the 2026 AFL Grand Final
- Kylie gives Aussie superfan the best Christmas surprise
- Which of Kylie Minogue’s iconic eras is your fav?
Kylie’s quick changes executed in camouflage
The performance was perfectly crafted for those who were watching at home (or in pubs around the country). Watching along, we had so many questions.
Is one side of the MCG missing the whole show?
Are these all separate dance troupes, or are they doing costume changes?
Where did Kylie get changed, and where did that footy come from?
Many of us assumed that the centre space of the stage was used for Kylie’s costume changes. Actually, it was the mechanism the footy ball inflated from, from which she later rose out.
View this post on Instagram
The performance was a completely different feast for the senses for those at the MCG, and we loved finding out all the gossip about the show’s epic moments.
“Kylie took to the stage with her blue drone dancers under the cover of her Padambrella,” Owen said. “Once on stage, it was all systems go! Song after song, dance troops took to the field as others exited.”
“Musicians ran from the sidelines to stage and set themselves up, and cameras would get themselves in position for the next part of the telecast.”
“Kylie’s quick changes were executed in camouflage. The first quick change happened behind the plinth she began her performance upon. Stagehands erected what looked like giant black flags to create privacy screens.
View this post on Instagram
“Her second quick change was done similarly, but on the field. Stagehands used giant silver lamé flags to create a cube around her for privacy, to hide the quick change moment before she emerged in her white dress and got into her little cage to take flight over the MCG’s hallowed turf.”
Kylie’s costuming also paid homage to moments in her career, amplifying these looks for a new era.
‘A memory I’ll have forever’
With the AFL uploading the performance on YouTube for everyone to enjoy, Owen said it translated perfectly, but had only one critique.
“The telecast was 100,000+ crowd cheering and singing ‘La La La’ back to Kylie during Can’t Get You Out Of My Head,” he said. “The video is nothing compared to how loud everyone was in that stadium.”
“It was electric and even thinking back to it now still gives me goosebumps! It was a moment not only in Kylie’s herstory but also one in Australian sport that I got to witness with my very own eyes. A memory I’ll have forever.”
Owen said the same thing about G Flip’s opening performance, and that the crowd singing along was electric.
A queer highlight for many fans was watching G Flip and Kylie perform Padam Padam together as part of the set. It was a favourite moment that fans shared on QNews socials. With Kylie kissing G Flip’s ‘Kylie thinks I’m cute’ tattoo.
View this post on Instagram
Owen shared in our comments that “G Flip needs to record a version of Padam for the next Triple J Like a Version. Was sooo good!”
While another said, “When Kylie kissed GFlip’s tattoo, there was a collective orgasm in our community.”
Another added, “I mean seriously, was this not giving off peak Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder vibes?”
We couldn’t agree more.
While we wait for every drag performer to get their costumes and choreography sorted, you can relive the joy of Kylie’s AFL Grand Final performance on YouTube.
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, and community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
