For fans of the NFL, the Super Bowl is the finest sporting spectacle there is. While the emotions on display and the undoubted skill the players possess help make the NFL’s championship game unique, the halftime shows add another layer of entertainment. The occasion probably wouldn’t be the same without the input of some world-class singers.
In general, fans are captivated by the musical offering when the team talks are held. While some fans switch off at halftime, assess how their fantasy picks are doing, and decide to place halftime bets after looking at the latest Super Bowl odds, others enjoy the break in play and an opportunity to nod along to some catchy tracks. It’s a great offering on the whole.
Sometimes, fans have been exposed to horrific performances from world-famous faces. While there is no gig in music like the Super Bowl halftime show, not every performer nails it. With the biggest audience of their lives watching on, we highlight some notable performances that didn’t really live up to the hype below.
Phil Collins, Enrique Iglesias, Christina Aguilera, Toni Braxton and Tina Turner (2000)
Fans were understandably excited to see world-famous music makers like Phil Collins, Enrique Iglesias, Christina Aguilera, Toni Braxton, and Tina Turner join forces to create a memorable performance in 2000. Still, they were instead treated to a mismatch of musical talents that failed to captivate audiences. The track choices made it particularly painful, with both “In The Air Tonight” and “Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand” immediately turning fans off. The show’s organizers wanted to bring as many global superstars as possible together for one magical appearance, but it clearly backfired massively.
The Black Eyed Peas (2011)
While the Super Bowl action was delivered on the field in 2011, the Black Eyes Peas and their halftime performance didn’t. It didn’t sound great, but they donned ridiculous light-up robot suits. Additionally, Usher appeared and clearly didn’t want to be there, while the legendary Slash performing alongside Fergie didn’t really work. Overall, it was one to forget.
Gloria Estefan and Olympic Figure Skaters (1992)
You can tell Gloria Estefan and the Olympic Figure Skaters’ performance failed to hit the mark as the NFL became even more significant the following year by getting Michael Jackson to perform. Keen on making up for their evident mistake, the performance by Estefan featured random dancing imps waving hockey sticks, while Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” wasn’t ideal.
New Kids on the Block (1991)
Although many fans were excited to have one of the world’s biggest boy bands at the time appear at halftime during the most incredible show on Earth, New Kids on the Block’s performance didn’t justify the excitement surrounding it. In fact, following their musical show, many fans of the sport decided that boy bands weren’t suitable for the occasion. The song “This One’s For the Children” didn’t get the crowd going; the band themselves looked a tad uncomfortable and didn’t supplement the back-and-forth battle on display on the field.
Maroon 5 (2019)
In 2019, the Patriots beat the Rams 13-3 in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever. Not only did the game flatter to deceive, but Maroon 5’s performance made for an even more forgettable occasion. From frontman Adam Levine ripping his shirt off to the “Moves Like Jagger” track that had already been overplayed pretty much everywhere, it was one to forget.