Number 8
Coldplay, Beyonce and Bruno Mars
- Santa Clara, California
- February 7, 2016
3 amazing artists collaborated for an amazing halftime show. From the queen herself singing “formation” to Coldplay's “Viva la Vida” had the crowd singing along. In the end they all come together for an intense performance to Coldplay's “Up and UP”.
They honestly could have each done a halftime show by themselves, but this strange montage worked out. What made this concert breathtaking was Bruno Maris choreography, his moves were so intricate and detailed. While the performance was great musically, it was pretty bland. It was mostly singing and dancing, they could have incorporated the crowd more or brought in a show stopping prop.
Number 7
Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy, Jessica Simpson, Kid Rock and Nelly
- Houston, Texas
- February 1, 2004
What a lineup, legend after legend. Who would have known that this group would perform so well with each other. It starts off with Janet Jackson's grand entrance and then Nelly pulls up in a car singing to his hit song “Hot in Here”. The transition from artist to artist is so clean. Kid Rock makes a hardcore performance to "Bawitdaba", not for everyone. It ends with Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson rocking out together.
This performance had a lot going on, but it was extremely entertaining. This lands at number 7 because although exiting, it was kind of confusing and bizarre.
Number 6
Bruno Mars
feat. Red Hot Chili Peppers:
- East Rutherford, New Jersey
- February 2, 2014
A show stopping entrance opens the show where little kids harmonize to “Millionaire” and Bruno Mars is going ham on the drums. His back to back jams fit together smoothly into the Red Hot Chili Peppers performance. The band came in pretty late to the performance, but they tied the whole show well together.
Before the Super Bowl people thought that Bruno Mars wasn't a big enough name to perform, but he did an phenomenal job. Honestly, a stage partner that would have made a perfect match with Mars could have been someone more to his scale like Snoop Dog or Khalid.
Number 5
Britney Spears, Aerosmith and NSYNC
- Tampa, Florida
- January 28, 2001
NSYNC opens the show with their most popular show, “Bye Bye Bye”. Then Aerosmith comes in and plays “I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing”, a classic. This show is very back and forth between the three artists, but they fit well together. Out of nowhere Britney Spears comes and sings along to “Walk This Way”. This halftime show was for the books.
Britney Spears could have had more spotlight on her and have sung a song or two of hers. Instead she just sang along with Aerosmith which allowed the audience to see a different side to her. While memorable, this production fit too many people into such a small slot of time.
Number 4
Katy Perry
- Glendale, Arizona
- February 1, 2015
Wow, what an entrance. Katy Perry enters on a huge tiger singing to her famous song “roar”. The entire stage setup is very impressive, the stage performs these illusions that fit very well with the song. Lenny Kravitz comes in and sings along with Katy Perry. A random, but interesting pair. Missy Eliiot makes an appearance later in the show singing her most popular songs. Perry ends the show with an amazing and emotional performance to “Firework”.
This show would have strongly preferable if Lenny Kravitz sang his song "Are You Gonna Go My Way", instead of singing along to Katy Perry's song. Apart from that, this performance was surprisingly entertaining.
Number 3
Micheal Jackson
- Pasadena, California
- January 31, 1993
The King of Pop makes a grand entrance, the crowd cheers him on for a minute until he begins to sing. Of course he incorporates his classic dance moves and fashionable outfits throughout the performance. If you are a Micheal Jackson fan, you will love this, 12 minutes of pure Micheal Jackson rocking out to his best songs.
The only flaw with this performance was the fact that it was during the day which isn't the best to see fireworks and stage lights, but he made it work. The best part is when the crowd brings his song “We are the World” to life by turning the arena into colorful children.
Number 2
Lady Gaga
- Houston, Texas
- February 5, 2017
It starts out with a tribute to America singing “this land is your land”, then the tone changes when she flies around the stadium singing her classic, Poker Face. This was the perfect mashup of all her popular songs. Midway, the show completely takes a turn as the entire crowd turns on their flashlights and she plays her latest song “million reasons”. This show was exciting and heartfelt. Lady Gaga knows how to put on a show.
This has to be the most creative halftime show so far. The way she involved the audience was unqiue and suprising since no artist before her has done it like this. There is honestly nothing wrong with this production. The only critque there could have been is that she could have had a special guest appear.
Number 1
Prince
- Miami, Florida
- February 4, 2007
Consecutive ageless hits from Prince had the crowd going crazy. This quintessential production was filled with surprises. Who knew he was going to a Foo Fighters cover or a guitar jam to “All Along the Watchtower” . Despite the rain, Prince made the most of it, ending the concert in a passionate guitar rendition to his most famous song “Purple Rain”.
No one can outdo the Prince when it comes to performing. He did not need a huge tiger or an entrance from the sky to capture the audience's attention. Prince relied on his legendary raw musical talents to give us this spectacular halftime show. Some would even say this producion was truly iconic.