The Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present has given us epic performances over the many years.
Whereas some artists let their music do all of the speaking (like Tom Petty jamming with the Heartbreakers or Prince shredding his guitar within the rain), others have turned the sector into blockbuster productions. Neglect primary concert events – these are the exhibits that had everybody speaking at work the subsequent day. Right here’s a breakdown of seven visually gorgeous halftime exhibits that made us neglect there was even a soccer sport occurring.
Michael Jackson (1993)
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Michael Jackson didn’t simply redefine halftime performances — he virtually invented the trendy Tremendous Bowl spectacle. Earlier than him, the halftime present was simply marching bands, and nobody thought a halftime present might really feel like a full-scale stadium live performance. Jackson began with the final word fake-out by showing on two large video screens at reverse ends of the stadium. Then the actual Michael shot up from beneath the stage like a rocket, standing utterly nonetheless for a full minute and a half whereas the gang misplaced their minds. He simply stood there in his signature black and gold navy jacket, soaking within the roar of 100,000 folks. Then he launched into “Jam” and “Billie Jean” along with his iconic moonwalk, whereas fireworks exploded in every single place.
However one of the best half was the ending. For “We Are the World” and “Heal the World,” he turned the complete stadium into this large shifting mosaic, with each individual within the crowd holding up playing cards that created large pictures of youngsters from all over the world. This wasn’t only a efficiency – it was the blueprint that each halftime present since has tried to dwell as much as.
Black Eyed Peas (2011)
Transferring to the Black Eyed Peas’ sick beats, a whole lot of dancers in light-up fits turned the soccer subject into one thing out of a sci-fi rave. Large glowing figures dropped from the ceiling whereas Will.i.am and Fergie carried out on platforms that seemed like they had been pulled from Tron. Positive, the sound was sort of messy, however visually? They turned the Tremendous Bowl into the world’s greatest dance get together.
Madonna (2012)
Go away it to Madonna to make an entrance. She arrived on stage dressed like a contemporary Cleopatra carried by a military of buff gladiators on an enormous gold throne. True to type, her efficiency was theatrical and felt like a scrumptious mashup of historical Rome meets Glee. By the point “Like a Prayer” hit, the entire subject had became a large mild present with a gospel choir showing out of nowhere. It was basic Madonna – go huge or go house.
Beyoncé (2013)
Beyoncé kicked issues off with glowing profiles of her face unfold throughout the sector, adopted by her silhouette towering above her in flames – speak about making an entrance. Then it was simply spectacular choreography, with dancers in every single place shifting in excellent sync, and a number of Beyoncés on the video screens enjoying together with your thoughts. The actual knockout punch was the Future’s Baby reunion throughout “Single Women” as they rose from the bottom via a fog like R&B superheroes.
Katy Perry (2015)
In what might have been probably the most formidable Halftime Present efficiency of all time, Katy Perry got here charging in on a large robotic lion singing “Roar,” trying like one thing straight out of a fantasy film. Then the tone shifts when the stage (which was a display) turns right into a black and white chessboard, with dancers dressed as chess items as she sings “Darkish Horse.” Followers are then transported to a candy-colored wonderland with dancing seaside balls and palm bushes in every single place throughout “California Gurls.” However the actual viral second? These sharks, particularly Left Shark going completely off-script, dancing to their very own beat throughout “Teenage Dream.” Then after a shock comeback efficiency with Missy Elliot, Perry wrapped all of it up by actually flying throughout the stadium strapped to a capturing star, belting out “Firework” whereas precise fireworks exploded behind her.
Woman Gaga (2017)
Simply when everybody thought they’d seen all of it, Gaga took issues to a different stage. She kicked off her present standing on prime of the stadium roof, decked out in a glittery silver bodysuit, with Houston’s skyline and dozens of drones twinkling behind her. Then she truly jumped off, flying all the way down to the stage on cables whereas doing wild flips and spins. The stage was a steel jungle gymnasium that stored morphing and altering – one minute she’s enjoying a flaming piano throughout “Million Causes,” and the subsequent she’s scaling tower-like constructions whereas belting out “Unhealthy Romance.” It was like a Broadway present, circus act, and rock live performance multi functional. Her dancers matched her wild power, creating kaleidoscope patterns with LED wands that seemed unreal on TV. And the finale? She caught a soccer, dropped the mic, after which jumped off the stage into nowhere.
Rihanna (2023)
RiRi stated “Neglect the common stage” and took over the sky with floating platforms that moved up and down like a next-level sport of 3D chess. Her dancers dressed all in white, moved like a superbly programmed military throughout these totally different ranges. The entire thing was clear and stark, with large white lights chopping via deep purple, proving typically much less is definitely extra whenever you’re working with a canvas this huge.
