Infinity Song's national anthem performance before the 49ers-Rams game in Melbourne drew outrage from NFL fans as Netflix faced streaming complaints during its NFL season opener
Infinity Song performs the National Anthem
Infinity Song's NFL National Anthem performance struck a cord with fans online(Image: Netflix)
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A wave of anticipation swept through the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the NFL returned to Australia for the first time since a 1999 preseason game, but the American national anthem performance before kickoff nearly made some fans lose their appetite for football.
New York sibling band Infinity Song took center stage with their version of the Star-Spangled Banner, just before the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams squared off for their 8:35 p.m E.T kickoff.
Their slow-burn, harmony-heavy take, complete with guitars and acoustic vocals, instantly drew outrage from fans watching the NFL's Melbourne debut from home.
The band used their signature layered vocals and stretched the anthem into a slow, soulful arrangement, leaving some fans wondering whether the song wandered too far from its roots.
Singer KELS faced similar criticisms for her blues-inspired version of the song during Game 2 of the NBA Finals. She faced similar heat as the Roc Nation-signed group on X.
One fan wrote. "OMG! They massacred the national anthem. Horrible," while tagging both the NFL and Netflix in the process. A second fan added, "This national anthem performance is a f------ disgrace." A third added, "Oh my God, NFL, what the ---- is this national anthem?"
Infinity Song is made up of siblings Abraham, Angel, Israel, and Momo Boyd, who range in age from 26 to 33, and the group has released four studio albums.
The group's tour dates lined up perfectly after performing in Perth 24 hours earlier, then in Sydney (Sept 12) and Brisbane (Sept 13), before leaving for New Zealand next Wednesday.
The New York-based group is signed to Roc Nation, the entertainment company that has worked with the NFL since 2019 on music programming and the league's broader entertainment strategy.
Infinity Song performs before NFL Australia action
Infinity Song's rendition was criticized by a vocal group of online fans
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Jay-Z and Roc Nation have played a major role in the league's live music presentations, mostly through the Super Bowl halftime show and other major events.
The 25-time Grammy Award winner was influential in the decision to add Bad Bunny's historic Spanish-language-led Super Bowl LX halftime show last season.
Rams players celebrate a touchdown
Rams-49ers marked Netflix's first NFL presentation of the year
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The anthem was just the start of Netflix's wild night of early complaints in Melbourne. Netflix broadcaster Elle Duncan sparked internet jokes after NFL fans roasted the black leather gloves she wore with her formal outfit for the event.
NFL Fans quickly piled on complaints about frame drops, buffering, audio glitches, and a picture that sometimes looked more like a grainy YouTube upload than a state-of-the-art NFL broadcast.