[ad_1]
Comets, drones, fanfares and Spongebob Squarepants: The Maroon 5 Super Bowl half-time show had everything … except an emotional connection.
The LA group delivered an inspiring and breathtaking story of their greatest hits – from This Love to Girls Like You – but, unlike the lavish fireworks, their set failed to catch fire.
They came together with a discreet rendition of the ballad She Will Be Loved, performed in the middle of the crowd, as Chinese lanterns rose to the horizon of Atlanta.
When the song reached its climax, the lanterns turned out to be drones – flying in formation to spell the phrase "one love".
Behind singer Adam Levine, a couple was wrapped in his arms and swayed, seemingly oblivious to the fact that they were being watched by millions of people.
Levine dropped to his knees in the show, picking up guitar solos and browsing the M-shaped stage – but the band tried to store too much material (nine songs in 13 minutes) to create a consistent and enjoyable music. show.
The rapper Travis Scott, arrived on stage by "crash lander" in a comet, and local star Big Boi, formerly Outkast, who has not left the concert hall, have managed to make way for the stage . I love your way of moving.
The guests helped propel the show – Scott, in particular, doubled his energy on stage – but note that the most successful Super Bowl performers of the past decade, Lady Gaga and Prince, have both rejected their employees.
Maroon 5 completed his set with his biggest hit, Moves Like Jagger, as Levine took off his jacket and fireworks from the roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
They have not left the scene – casual fans will be reminded why they are still here and produce hits after 17 – but we will not talk about the show like a clbadic of all. the temperature.
Travis Scott has executed his rap hit Sicko by changing his form
A gospel choir helped Girls Like You – but guest rapper Cardi B refused to join the show.
Why was Spongebob Squarepants there?
During the show, a short excerpt from the cult cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants was shown on the stadium's video screens, after the fans had pleaded for the song of the character, Sweet Victory, to be presented during the show. this year's time.
For those who do not know it, Sweet Victory is a hair rock anthem that SpongeBob and the Bikini Bottom Super Band have performed in front of a stunned audience in the clbadic Band Geeks episode.
A petition asking Maroon 5 to play was launched after the death of Spongebob creator Stephen Hillenburg, who died of ALS – also known as motor neuron disease – last November.
However, the 1.2 million signatories were disappointed, as the introduction of the caricature simply reduced the performance of Travis Scott.
Why was the show controversial?
Like most previous artists, Maroon 5 has kept the pace and lack of politics.
The band, which built their career on harmless pop songs and a strange ability to embrace new musical trends, was not going to ruffle the feathers – but it came to the Super Bowl in a year when the conversation around the mid-show -time ended. become particularly heated.
There are rumors that some artists – including Rihanna – have reportedly refused to play for the NFL, accused of engaging in sloppy player protests and the alleged blacklist of Colin Kaepernick, who had begun to play the game. kneel at the American national anthem. awareness of racial inequality and police brutality.
This meant that Maroon 5 had to play the Cardi B Girls Like You duo without their star collaborator, after refusing to appear, citing his solidarity with Kaepernick.
"There is a man who sacrificed his work for us, so we have to support him," she said earlier this week.
Distressed by a critical reaction, Maroon 5 canceled the traditional pre-game press conference in order to "let his show speak."
Thursday night, however, Levine granted a pre-recorded interview to Entertainment Tonight, in which he addressed the situation.
Levine said that he wanted the music to speak
"I'm not in the right profession if I can not handle a bit of controversy," he said. "That's what we expected, we would like to move on and talk through music."
To counter the critics, the group has partnered with the NFL and their Interscope label to donate $ 500,000 (£ 382,000) to the Big Brother Big Sister charity.
Their gesture echoes that of Travis Scott, who agreed to perform only if the NFL agrees to join him for a joint $ 500,000 donation to the Dream Corps social justice organization.
None of the performers were paid to play the Super Bowl; but they receive one of the largest audiences of American television.
Last year, Justin Timberlake's mid-match performances were watched by 106.6 million people in the United States.
The most-watched Super Bowl show of all time was the spectacular shark-infested Katy Perry show in 2015, which drew 120.7 million viewers.
Gladys Knight sang the national anthem at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
Before the start of clashes between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams, Gladys Knight gave a powerful and moving rendition of the national anthem, accompanied by a group of military and accompanied by the Artist and activist deaf Aarron Loggins, who signed the anthem.
Knight had previously issued a provocative statement explaining his decision to appear.
"I understand that Mr Kaepernick is protesting against two things, which are police violence and injustice," Knight told Variety magazine.
"It is unfortunate that our national anthem has been drawn into this debate while the distinctive meanings of the national anthem and the fight for justice must be independent of each other."
"I am here today … to give voice to the national anthem, to defend this historic choice of words, the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from same prejudices and struggles that I fought long and hard for my whole life, "she added.
"Walking down the halls, walking with our social leaders, using my voice for good – I've been at the front of this battle longer than most of those who have expressed their views to get the right to sing the hymn of our country on a stage as big as the Super Bowl LIII. "
Source link
