Superbowl Halftime: The Best Ever Shows
Published on 07 February 2025
Whoever came up with the idea is a genius. Half way through the biggest American football game of all - the Superbowl final - an iconic musician or band (sometimes a flavour-of-the-moment musician or band) takes to a stage in the stadium and entertains what is now billions of viewers. It has nothing to do with the sport being played and everything to do with getting people at home to tune in and watch.
The tradition of the superbowl half-time act goes back to the very beginning of the competition in 1967. Back then, it was marching bands who entertained the viewers, progressing to drill teams in the 70s. The wow factor didn’t occur until 1991, when boy band New Kids on the Block took to the stage at halftime, in an attempt by the event organisers to foil counterprogramming at Superbowl time by competing TV networks.
Even since then, a huge artist has appeared - with no fee being paid (expenses are, though) - to provide a halftime spectacle like no other. This year, it looks to be Kendrick Lamar, and he’ll be performing this Sunday!
So, now that we know a little more about it all, it’s time to check out the greatest ever Superbowl Halftime Shows…
The Best Superbowl Halftime Shows EVER
Indiana Jones & Patricia Louise Holte
Bruce Springsteen
“Step away from your guacamole!” You can’t say the Boss doesn’t know his audience! Back in 2009, Springsteen and his E-Street band put on an electrifying show for Superbowl XLIII. This included possibly the most gleeful knee slide ever executed by a grown adult.
Prince
Prince Rogers Nelson - otherwise known as Minneapolis’ greatest cultural export - showed the world how effortlessly in command of, well, everything, he was in 2007, when he played at the Superbowl XLI halftime show.
Giving the crowd what it wanted but on his own terms was exactly the correct card to play for this much-missed icon.
Beyonce
After playing a set with her old band Destiny’s Child, Queen Bey took the stage for herself and once again demonstrated why she was the biggest thing in music in 2013.
Janet & Justin
World’s most famous ‘wardrobe malfunction’? It was a cheeky little move but it made the headlines. Justin Timberlake teaming up with Janet Jackson was a great idea, but having Justin unleash one of Janet’s boobs onstage might have been more than the family-friendly organisers were counting on.
Justin has been back to the halftime slot, though, so the bridges were obviously not too badly burned.
Indiana Jones & Patricia Louise Holte
Yes, this particular one is as mental as the title suggests. Words won’t do it justice so just watch the video below, revel in the voiceover acting and try to conceal your disappointment that this particular Indy is not Harrison Ford.
Can we actually have more halftime shows like this, please?
Madonna & Cirque Du Soliel
She’s the undisputed Queen of Pop and therefore an obvious choice to thrill the football-loving masses. At Superbowl XLVI, in 2012, she brought along some friends from the Cirque du Soleil to fill out the stage somewhat. It’s a spectacle for sure, and Madge seems to be having an excellent time of it.
Paul McCartney
Him from the Beatles has been known to acquit himself well on stage now and then. His time for Superbowl was 2005, and when you have Hey Jude and Let and Let Die in your setlist, you have nothing to worry about whatsoever.
Who Cares About the Football?
Are you tuning in this Sunday to see the Superbowl? Is it for the game, the music or both? It’s okay to admit that you don’t understand the game: that’s why they get superstars in half way through!
Whether you tune in or just catch the music later, enjoy!
And if that got you in the sporting mood, why not check out our Best Sporting Anthems Ever!
