Several topics are up for discussion whenever the Super Bowl appears on the sporting horizon. Naturally, NFL fans will debate which team will ultimately win the game and take home the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Further arguments will involve the individual players who will claim the MVP award. There are debatable subjects surrounding off-field activities and the most important of these focuses on which artists will perform at the halftime show.
Keeping With Tradition
The scene is set for the 2025 Super Bowl, which will take place on February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in Louisiana. Following strong campaigns in the regular season, the Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs started as favorites to meet in the final game.
All franchises involved in the playoffs featured standout performers, and, as always, the attention fell on the quarterbacks. According to NFL MVP odds, the most likely candidates to win the Most Valuable Player award include Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills.
Following much speculation, the entertainment for the Super Bowl halftime show has also been confirmed. Rapper Kendrick Lamar will headline the event, and while he insists he’s the right person for the job, he will need to be on top form to match some of the top performances from Super Bowls past.
Rihanna: 2023
At the 2023 game, Rihanna delivered the most-watched halftime show in Super Bowl history up to that point. One hundred twenty-one million viewers tuned in, and while many records tumble each year, the figures for this performance could remain unchallenged for some time.
The artist enjoyed success because she kept it simple and gave the audience what they wanted. Rather than use the show to experiment with many new releases, Rihanna delivered most of her biggest hits, including ‘We Found Love,’ ‘Work,’ and ‘Rude Boy.’
Other artists should take note of this approach. You’re booked to deliver your most iconic songs, so give the public what they demand.
Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake: 2004
The 2004 Super Bowl halftime show will always be remembered, but not necessarily for the right reasons. Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson combined in what was a potentially risky pairing.
He was a big star of the day, while she was an icon, and the show’s start was well-received. The iconic moment came when Timberlake tore away part of Jackson’s clothing, revealing far more than was intended.
Broadcasters CBS initially received fines for indecency and while these were later overturned, the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show led to stricter guidelines on future performances.
Katy Perry: 2015
The 2015 halftime show at Glendale, Arizona, was over the top. Katy Perry made her entrance on a tiger, performed with a shark, and left us with one of the Super Bowl’s most memorable displays.
This was a festival of color, and it featured some incredible pyrotechnics. However, Perry delivered a supreme vocal performance amidst all of the gimmicks. 2015 saw this artist at her peak, and the night was complete when Missy Elliott joined her at the end.
Paul McCartney: 2005
Following the storm caused by Timberlake and Jackson in 2004, the NFL knew they were on to a safe winner when they employed Paul McCartney for the halftime show a year later. The former Beatle’s most recent tour in 2024 was full of energetic performances and memorable hits, and 2005’s Super Bowl performance was similar.
Macca began with some Beatles classics before delivering Wings and solo hits. He saved the best for last with a rendition of ‘Hey Jude’ where he proved that a crowd couldn’t listen and not join in with that iconic chorus.
Michael Jackson: 1993
Many will argue that the 1993 Super Bowl halftime show wasn’t the best, but it was undoubtedly the biggest in its staging and the star performer at its heart. Michael Jackson’s popularity showed no signs of slowing down in the early 90s, and his arrival at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena was a big coup for the NFL.
The big disappointment for true music fans involved the level of lip-syncing that was going on. Despite lacking live vocals, Jacko delivered the hits, including an unforgettable medley featuring ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Black or White.’
In 2025, Kendrick Lamar will have to be at his best to emulate the performances on this list. Viewing figures for the Super Bowl tend to rise each year, but that doesn’t mean everyone will tune in to watch the halftime show.
Many sports fans use the break to prepare a snack or, if they are out at a Super Bowl social, they’ll likely order more drinks. The Super Bowl halftime show has to be memorable, and the artists on this list have set the standard.
