Super Bowl 50 halftime show

The Super Bowl 50 halftime show took place on February 7, 2016, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara as part of Super Bowl 50. It was headlined by the British rock band Coldplay,[1] who invited Beyoncé, Gustavo Dudamel, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, the University of California Marching Band and the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles as guest performers.[2] The show attracted over 115.5 million viewers, making it the most watched halftime set by a group and male act.

Super Bowl 50 halftime show
DateFebruary 7, 2016
LocationSanta Clara, California
VenueLevi's Stadium
HeadlinerColdplay
Special guests
SponsorPepsi
DirectorHamish Hamilton
ProducerRicky Kirshner
Super Bowl halftime show chronology
XLIX
(2015)		 50
(2016)		 LI
(2017)

Moreover, the band placed all of their studio albums inside the Billboard 200 chart after the concert, while Beyoncé became subject of controversy for performing "Formation", since she had aligned herself with the Black Lives Matter movement. Similarly, conservatives accused Coldplay of promoting a "gay agenda". Despite its mixed reception from music critics on contemporary reviews, the show has been since ranked among the best in Super Bowl history by The Athletic, Parade, Rolling Stone and The Telegraph.

Background
Levi's Stadium, location of Super Bowl 50 and the halftime show

Coldplay, Rihanna, and Katy Perry were considered as potential acts for the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show in 2015.[3] Perry was soon confirmed as the headliner of the halftime show in November 2014. In summer 2015, many acts were being rumored as potential headliners for the 2016 halftime show including Taylor Swift, Britney Spears and One Direction. In September 2015, it was reported that Bruno Mars was set to curate the Super Bowl 50 halftime show, but the next month in October, It was reported that Maroon 5 was in talks to headline, but the band said they haven't had any conversations with the NFL about headlining, but were open to it. Maroon 5 would eventually headline Super Bowl LIII's halftime show. In late November 2015, reports surfaced stating that multiple acts would perform during the halftime show. Coldplay was confirmed as the lead halftime performer for Super Bowl 50 on December 3, 2015, one day before the release of their seventh studio album A Head Full of Dreams.[1] It was later confirmed that Beyoncé and Bruno Mars would join Coldplay as special guests.[4] When Chris Martin originally called Mars to ask him to perform with Coldplay, Mars was wary of a multi-artist performance.[5] The singer of Coldplay then invited Mars to his studio in Malibu where he was working.[5] There, Martin revealed to Mars that he wanted for him to perform "Uptown Funk" with Beyoncé. Despite this, Mars remained skeptical and asked Martin to talk to Beyoncé to determine how she felt about the idea. Martin immediately texted a video of himself with Mars to Beyoncé, in which he asked her in the form of a song if she would come do the Super Bowl with both of them, to which she happily agreed.[5][6]

One day before the performance, Mars and Beyoncé were "watching playback backstage" while Beyoncé ate a bag of Cheetos.[5] Mars asked her, "That's what you're doing?" to which she replied, "There's nothing more we can do these last two days. It's gonna be what it's gonna be. So I'm gonna enjoy this bag of Cheetos".[5] Mars admitted to learning a lot watching Beyoncé's preparation for the Super Bowl performance, saying that she is "coming for you every single time, so you better bring your A-game every time".[7]

Performance
External video
video icon Full Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show – via the NFL's official channel on YouTube.

The show opened with Chris Martin singing the opening chorus from "Yellow". He was then joined by the remaining band members of Coldplay to perform "Viva la Vida", "Paradise", and "Adventure of a Lifetime" with the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and the University of California Marching Band. Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, and a troupe of backing dancers (dressed in the styles of Michael Jackson)[8] then performed "Uptown Funk". Beyoncé, also in a Michael Jackson-like bodysuit and appearing with a set of backing dancers dressed as Black Panthers, then performed her new single "Formation" in a mass choreographed dance and forming the letter X (to represent Malcolm X) number before joining Mars onstage for a verse of "Uptown Funk". Coldplay played a snippet of "Clocks" transitioning into "Fix You," and Martin sang along to some of the songs included in a video montage of past Super Bowl halftime and national anthem performances, containing show numbers by Bruce Springsteen, Missy Elliott, Katy Perry, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, James Brown, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, The Black Eyed Peas, U2, Prince, Beyoncé in 2013, and Mars in 2014. The show concluded with the band performing "Up&Up" with Beyoncé, Mars, and everyone taking part in the show. At the end of the performance, the audience participated in a card stunt, creating a rainbow and the phrase "Believe in Love".

Reception

Critical reception
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin performing "Paradise"
Beyoncé performing "Formation", the song drew controversy for its symbolism and lyrics
Bruno Mars performing "Uptown Funk", released in 2014

The performance received generally mixed reviews from critics, who complimented Beyoncé and Mars' part of the performance but were critical of Coldplay. Jon Caramanica of The New York Times stated that Coldplay "acted more as a stagehand than an actual performer" while Beyoncé's section of the performance was "the night's true event". Caramanica also noted that Beyoncé and Mars "outsang" Martin during the closing part of the performance.[9] Andrew Barker of Variety similarly noted that "Coldplay seemed resigned to politely allowing themselves to be played right off their own stage" by the "far flashier" Mars and Beyoncé.[10]

In a review for Fox Sports, Chris Chase panned Coldplay's performance, calling it "inexplicable, indecipherable, and unnecessary" and a "musical snooze". Chase complimented Beyoncé's and Mars' appearances but described the performance as "boring".[11] Alex Needham of The Guardian gave the performance four stars, saying that "Queen Bey at the height of her powers effortlessly overwhelmed Coldplay's widescreen anthems in a show that seemed lightweight until she showed up".[12]

Robert Bianco of USA Today stated that Martin "seemed overwhelmed" by the size of the event, and that despite being a "personable and energetic performer", an "awful lot" of Martin's energy "went into jumping". Bianco praised Beyoncé's appearance and stated that she "stole the show".[13] Wendy Geller of Yahoo! also complimented Beyoncé's and Mars' appearances, but criticized the montage of previous halftime performances, describing it as "confusing rather than touching" and stating that the performance was "definitely a cold play".[14]

The show received two nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Special and Outstanding Variety Special (Live).[15]

Industry peers

Several public figures in the entertainment industry commented positively on the show through social media, including Andy Cohen, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Ellen DeGeneres, Victoria Justice, Hoda Kotb, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Donnie Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon.[16] Elizabeth Banks, Khloe Kardashian and Demi Lovato particularly praised Beyoncé and Mars,[16] while Future published "#Coldplay legendary forever" on his Twitter account.[17] Taylor Swift praised the "Fix You" montage with the previous halftime performances and mentioned feeling like she had dreamed the performance.[18] Conversely, Piers Morgan panned both the show and its subsequent game.[16]

Controversies

Beyoncé received criticism for the performance of "Formation", a song that right-wing politicians and activists considered to be "anti-police", and for appearing to align herself with the Black Lives Matter movement. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani accused the show of being anti-police and also criticised Beyoncé's use of Black Power and Black Panther Party symbolism in her dance routine. "This is football, not Hollywood, and I thought it was really outrageous that she used it as a platform to attack police officers who are the people who protect her and protect us, and keep us alive," he said.[19] The controversy caused a "#BoycottBeyonce" hashtag on Twitter and protesters announced plans for an "anti-Beyoncé" rally on the morning of February 16 outside of the NFL's headquarters in New York City, but no one showed up for such a rally.[20]

CNN political commentator Sally Kohn stated that "too many police continue to show themselves to be far more interested in reactionary defensiveness and preserving the abusive status quo."[21] Black Lives Matter activist and professor Melina Abdullah praised Beyoncé and other artists who "are willing to raise social consciousness and use their artistry to advance social justice."[22][23] In addressing her own controversy, Beyoncé explained, "I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe. But let's be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice".[24]

Furthermore, Coldplay were accused by conservatives of promoting a "gay agenda" at the end of the show,[25] when rainbow-coloured placards were flipped to form the phrase "Believe in Love".[26]

Rankings
Super Bowl 50 halftime show on select critic lists
Publisher Year Listicle Rank Ref.
The A.V. Club 2023 Every Super Bowl Halftime Show from the Last 30 Years, Ranked 15 [27]
The Athletic Super Bowl Halftime Shows Ranked 3 [28]
Athlon Sports 2022 Ranking Every Super Bowl Halftime Show 11 [2]
Billboard 2020 Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows Ever 10 [29]
Dig! 2023 Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows: 20 Must-See Performances 5 [30]
Entertainment Tonight 2022 The Most Unforgettable Super Bowl Halftime Shows 6 [31]
O Globo 2017 The Most Memorable Super Bowl Halftime Shows Placed [32]
Parade 2019 The 10 Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows of All Time 10 [33]
Rolling Stone 2021 Super Bowl Halftime Shows Ranked 14 [34]
The Telegraph 2021 21 Unforgettable Super Bowl Halftime Shows 2 [35]
Time Out 2023 These are the Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows of All Time 9 [36]
Vulture 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Shows Since 1993 Ranked 9 [37]
Yardbarker 2023 Beyoncé's 25 Career-Defining Moments Placed [38]

Commercial reception

According to Billboard, the halftime show got 115.5 million total viewers, becoming the most watched performance for a group and male act.[39] Moreover, all seven albums Coldplay had released at the time entered the United States albums chart; A Head Full of Dreams (2015) ranked the highest, at number four.[40] The band also experienced a 174% surge in digital song sales, with the strongest seller being "Adventure of a Lifetime".[40] Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010) and Unorthodox Jukebox (2012), both from Bruno Mars, saw increases in sales as well.[40] Despite not charting any albums, Beyoncé entered the Hot R&B Songs with "Formation" at number 18.[40]

Set list

Credits adapted from Billboard.[41]

  1. "Yellow"
  2. "Viva la Vida"
  3. "Paradise"
  4. "Adventure of a Lifetime"
  5. "Uptown Funk" (Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars)
  6. "Formation" (Beyoncé)
  7. "Fix You" / "Up&Up" (with Mars and Beyoncé)
Notes

See also

References
  1. "Coldplay Will Perform at Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show" (Press release). National Football League. December 3, 2015. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  2. "Ranking Every Super Bowl Halftime Show". Athlon Sports. January 30, 2022. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  3. Blistein, Jon (August 19, 2014). "NFL Asks Musicians for Money to Play Super Bowl". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  4. Framke, Caroline (January 8, 2016). "Beyoncé & Bruno Mars join Coldplay for the Super Bowl 50 halftime show". Vox. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  5. Eells, Josh (November 2, 2016). "Bruno Mars: The Private Anxiety of a Pop Perfectionist". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 3, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  6. "Bruno Mars Talks "24K Magic", Beyoncé & Prince". Rap-Up. November 1, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  7. Scott, Damien (November 19, 2016). "Bruno Mars Just Wants You to Have a Good Time". Black Entertainment Television. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  8. Bauder, David (February 8, 2016). "Review: Coldplay lets Beyonce, Bruno Mars overshadow band". WIVB. Associated Press. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  9. "Review: It's Coldplay, Starring Beyoncé, at Super Bowl Halftime Show". The New York Times. February 7, 2016.
  10. "Review: Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show". Variety. February 8, 2016.
  11. "Beyonce couldn't save Coldplay's terrible Super Bowl halftime show". Fox Sports. February 7, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  12. "Super Bowl half-time show – Beyonce easily steals the show from Coldplay". The Guardian. February 8, 2016.
  13. "Beyoncé upstages Coldplay in Super Bowl halftime show". USA Today. February 7, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  14. "Coldplay Left in the Cold at Super Bowl 50; Beyoncé and Bruno Bring It". Yahoo! Music. February 7, 2016.
  15. "Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show – Awards & Nominations". Emmy. 2016. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  16. "Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, Khloe Kardashian and More React to Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show". US Weekly. February 8, 2016. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  17. "25 Songs That Tell Us Where Music Is Going". The New York Times Magazine. March 10, 2016. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  18. "Super Bowl 50: Twitter Reacts to Coldplay, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars". Forbes. February 7, 2016. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  19. Cutler, Jacqueline (February 9, 2016). "Beyoncé's 'black power' salute during Super Bowl 50 halftime show slammed by Rudy Giuliani as 'attack' on police". New York Daily News. New York. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  20. Bonesteel, Matt (February 16, 2016). "No one showed up to the anti-Beyonce rally at NFL headquarters". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
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  22. Respers France, Lisa (February 9, 2016). "Protests planned against and for Beyonce". CNN. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  23. "Anger: Anti-Beyonce Rally Planned For Next Week At NFL Headquarters". CBSNewYork.com. CBS Radio. February 9, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  24. Harris-perry, Melissa (December 19, 2016). "Beyoncé". Vol. 188, no. 24–25. TIME. pp. 124–128. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  25. "Coldplay & Beyoncé Accused of Gay Propaganda in Last Night's Super Bowl Halftime Show". The Daily Dot. February 8, 2016. Archived from the original on January 16, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  26. "Super Bowl 50's Pro-Gay Marriage Moment Sends A Beautiful Message About Love". Bustle. February 8, 2016. Archived from the original on January 16, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  27. "Every Super Bowl Halftime Show from the Last 30 Years, Ranked". The A.V. Club. February 10, 2023. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  28. "Super Bowl Halftime Shows Ranked: Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Prince and Michael Jackson". The Athletic. February 11, 2023. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  29. "10 Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows". Billboard. January 31, 2020. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  30. "Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows: 20 Must-See Performances". Dig!. February 11, 2023. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  31. "The Most Unforgettable Super Bowl Halftime Shows". Entertainment Tonight. February 9, 2022. Archived from the original on February 13, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  32. "Os Shows Mais Marcantes do Intervalo do Super Bowl" [The Most Memorable Super Bowl Halftime Shows]. O Globo (in Portuguese). February 4, 2017. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  33. "The 10 Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows of All Time". Parade. January 25, 2019. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  34. "Super Bowl Halftime Shows Ranked by Sheffield: From Worst to Best". Rolling Stone. February 11, 2022. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  35. "21 Unforgettable Super Bowl Halftime Shows: From Nipplegate to the Mouseketeers". The Telegraph. January 27, 2021. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  36. "These are the Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows of All Time". Time Out. February 9, 2023. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  37. "Every Super Bowl Halftime Show Since 1993, Ranked". Vulture. February 14, 2022. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  38. "Beyoncé's 25 Career-Defining Moments". Yardbarker. October 24, 2023. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  39. "Here Are the Top 10 Most-Watched Super Bowl Halftime Shows". Billboard. May 4, 2023. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  40. "Billboard 200 Chart Moves: Coldplay Takes Over After Super Bowl 50". Billboard. February 19, 2016. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
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