This Monday, NFL fans all over the globe will be looking forward to a mouthwatering clash between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. For some, they’ll be waiting till half time when the real show begins!
On paper, Monday’s Super Bowl half time show could be the best in the event’s 56-year history. Headlined by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar, the old-school cast should provide a unique performance that’s sure to win over the West Coast crowd. So, in preparation, here are the five shows the crew will have to beat to claim that mantra:
Michael Jackson (1993)
The 1990s saw a shift in the personalities who performed during the half time show. New Kids on the Block performed in 1991, as did Gloria Estefan in 1992. However, the King of Pop made the show his own at Super Bowl XXVII in California.
Springing onto the stage, Jackson received a deafening reception from the 98,000 strong crowd. MJ ignited his set with upbeat classics Billie Jean and Black or White, before performing a powerful rendition of Heal The World. An inflatable globe rising from the stage, and a child mosaic in the backdrop, this added that extra element for a touching ending.
U2 (2002)
Following 9/11, Americans needed an inspiring half time show. Enter U2, who patriotically kindled the crowd with their 11-minute tribute. The set began with Bono emerging from a mosh pit on the field singing ‘Beautiful Day’, but the Irish band won the fans over with ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’. The song orchestrated a special moment as the names of the deceased were displayed on a banner behind them. Bono received a raucous applause at the end, when he revealed the American flag lining in his jacket.
Prince (2007)
Not since Michael Jackson in 1993 had someone made the Super Bowl half time show their own. But Prince rectified this by producing arguably the greatest performance the global sporting event has ever seen. Inclement weather did not deter the megastar, instead enhancing his performance. Mashing his songs together with other iconic tunes, Prince’s creativity and energy was credited with loud ovations from the crowd. The show will always be remembered however for his final song of the night ‘Purple Rain,’ which was accompanied by heavy rain.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band (2009)
If someone has the audacity to tell you to put the chicken fingers down and turn up the TV on Super Bowl Monday, then they better have a good reason why. Luckily Bruce Springsteen knew what he was talking about, as he and the E Street band produced a half time show to remember. The Boss had the crowd engaged from the beginning with ‘Tenth Avenue Freeze Out’ and ‘Born to Run’. Despite sliding into the camera, Springsteen was able to recover quickly and continue the legendary performance. By the time they played ‘Glory Days,’ everyone was reminded that it was ‘Boss Time’.
Beyoncé (2013)
Whenever Beyoncé is the headline act, you can expect to be amazed. The Super Bowl XLVII half time show was no exception. From the moment the pop star performed an acapella version of ‘Love On Top,’ viewers knew that this set was going to be one for the ages. Going from strength to strength, the performance went into overdrive when Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams sprung onto stage for a Destiny’s Child reunion. The trio performed hits ‘Bootylicious’ and ‘Independent Women Part One,’ before joining Knowles for ‘Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)’. The epic concert ended with a heart-warming rendition of ‘Halo’.
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