Silverchair have poured cold water on hopes of a surprise reunion at Sunday’s NRL Grand Final, while throwing their full support behind hometown team the Newcastle Knights.
With Newcastle through to their first grand final since 2001, calls for Daniel Johns, Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou to reunite for the occasion had started doing the rounds. It was always a long shot, but Silverchair have now responded themselves.
“Is this thing still on?” the band wrote in a statement shared across their social media (per Tone Deaf).
“For the first time in ages, the three of us actually agree wholeheartedly about something: GO KNIGHTS!!!
“It’s all about the Knights this weekend. We love how footy brings this community together, and it’s pretty special watching the whole Steel City get behind the boys.
“Thanks to everyone who’s asked if we’re playing before the game. We’re way too rusty, so sorry, no can do. We won’t be taking the stage, but we’ll be supporting as loudly as everyone else and there in spirit.
“Wishing the Newy players all the luck in the world this Sunday.”
So, no Silverchair reunion. But given how rarely anything arrives under the band’s name these days, the statement itself was enough to get fans talking.
Silverchair have remained inactive since announcing an “indefinite hibernation” in 2011, with the possibility of a reunion continuing to follow Johns, Gillies and Joannou in the years since.
A Newcastle grand final appearance was inevitably going to bring the question back again. This time, at least, all three members are publicly on the same page.
The Knights will face the Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium on Sunday, October 4th, with kick-off at 7.30pm AEDT.
Newcastle are chasing their first NRL premiership since 2001, when they defeated Parramatta 30–24 in the grand final.
Silverchair won’t be providing the soundtrack on Sunday night, but the message from Newcastle’s most famous rock export is pretty straightforward: go Knights.
