Noonan criticism ‘off key’

KATIE Noonan’s manager has leapt to the defence of the embattled singer, saying she is a “cog in a very large machine” at the Commonwealth Games, as the feud over the opening ceremony deepened.

“Katie was contracted to do a job as an MD and a performer, which she nailed,” Noonan’s manager Jesse Flavell said in a statement.

“In this context, she is a cog in a very large machine.”

It comes after a bitter conflict erupted publicly, with some sources from within the production claiming Noonan, musical director of the opening and closing ceremonies, made last week’s extravaganza all about her.

On Monday, ARIA awardwinning band Sheppard hit out at Noonan and claimed they were offered to perform for “volunteer rates” by organisers, while leading promoter Michael Chugg claimed artists were offered just $2000 a song.

GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie also stood by Noonan yesterday.

“Katie Noonan is fantastic, but we don’t want to get into that argument, that is not a matter for us,” Mr Beattie said.