After months (upon months) of hype, the big day finally arrived. The Super Bowl, sure — and, more to the point, the halftime show by Maroon 5. This one certainly generated its fair share of buzz before, during and after.
So, did the show live up to the anticipation? We can say this much for sure: it boasted a few major moments. It’s also generating mixed reviews from football fans and music lovers alike.
Here’s a full rundown of the highlights, in case you need help making up your mind about the performance.
1. A Maroon 5 mashup, obviously
As expected, since they were the headliners, Adam Levine and bandmates performed a mashup of Maroon 5 hits including “Harder to Breathe,” “Girls Like You,” “Sugar,” “She Will Be Loved” and “Moves Like Jagger.”
#SuperBowl half-time: Maroon 5 performs 'Moves like Jagger' #SBLIII#M53
Courtesy @NFLpic.twitter.com/6P9cudg255
— NewsWatch Plus PH (@newswatchplusph) February 4, 2019
2. A SpongeBob cameo
ICYMI, there’s an iconic episode of the Nickelodeon cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants during which SpongeBob and pals perform the song “Sweet Victory.” Prior to the Super Bowl, a petition began circulating for Maroon 5 to bring “Sweet Victory” to the halftime stage to honor SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenburg, who died in November 2018.
Maroon 5 made fans happy (if only for a moment) by responding to that petition during the halftime show. Just before Travis Scott came onto the stage, a clip from the episode in question played, essentially setting the scene.
SpongeBob himself voiced his approval.
Jumping jellyfish! #SpongeBob in the halftime show?! We're honored Goofy Goobers 💛 Thanks to all the fans and @trvisxx! #SBLIIIpic.twitter.com/dxTO17KfwG
— SpongeBob (@SpongeBob) February 4, 2019
3. Travis Scott in “Sicko Mode”
After being introduced by SpongeBob, Travis Scott burst onto the fire-lit stage for his hit track “Sicko Mode.” Green lasers lit the way for the rapper, who clearly knows how to work a crowd. The energy he brought to the stage was practically palpable during his performance.
The only bright spot of the entire halftime show. Thank you @trvisXX for giving us what the people really wanted!!! #SuperBowlpic.twitter.com/vpwiC8g5sw
— Evan Rodgers (@ERodgers12) February 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/LaFlameVisuals/status/1092238270014976000
4. Big Boi in a big fur coat
In a super-brief but nevertheless standout moment, Atlanta native and former Outkast rapper Big Boi pulled up in a Cadillac and made his way to the stage in a massive fur coat to perform “I Like the Way You Move.” If fans had any complaints about this portion of the halftime show, it was simply that there should have been more of it.
Criminal underuse of @BigBoi. You have to bring out Andre 3000 there. @Outkast#SuperBowl
— Willie Geist (@WillieGeist) February 4, 2019
And THAT is why we needed @BigBoi. If he didn’t give us anything else tonight, we needed to hear “and if you want me, you can find me in the AAAAAAAAAA!” #SuperBowl#SBLIII
— theGrio.com (@theGrio) February 4, 2019
Me when Big Boi started performing #SuperBowlpic.twitter.com/fYWGbk5rFO
— Nicole Perez (@nicole_perez1) February 4, 2019
Big boi mvp of #SuperBowl so far this game
— Ben Jammin (@Benjammin3030) February 4, 2019
One major detractor? PETA.
Hey, @BigBoi! The way you move is horrifying when animals have to DIE for your outfit. #SuperBowl#SBLIII#Halftimepic.twitter.com/EG9N7slwxi
— PETA (@peta) February 4, 2019
5. A gospel choir and a drumline
Levine shared the Super Bowl spotlight with a local choir whose lead vocalist has a killer set of pipes, along with a pretty amazing local drumline, during his performance of “Girls Like You.”
Choir in the halftime show was a given #Atlanta
— Jason (@jmanthejason) February 4, 2019
Best part of the halftime show was the gospel choir #superbowl
— Blonde Fire (@trishlikeafish) February 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/bassplayercaleb/status/1092230203181580289
I’d totally be down for a halftime show that was just the drumline and the gospel choir. #SuperBowl
— Bind❤️ (@jessiebturner) February 4, 2019
6. A shirtless Adam Levine
In what you might call the big finale, Levine stripped down to a tank top to sing the upbeat anthem “Sugar.” It didn’t take long for him to transition to the energetic “Moves Like Jagger,” though, at which point he ripped his tank off entirely to reveal his hot dad bod.
https://twitter.com/SASSYAF28/status/1092231859650605056
maybe Adam Levine should have started the halftime show shirtless tho #SuperBowl
— Anika Reed (@heyitsanika) February 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/ceeeb_/status/1092232209166225411
Thank God for shirtless Adam Levine😍 #SuperBowl
— Ana Bier (@anabier_) February 4, 2019
Adam Levine's shirtless body is the best thing of the half time show. # #SuperBowl
— Jennifer (@JennAJames_2) February 4, 2019
7. A ton of pyrotechnics
Can we talk for a minute about how hot this halftime show was? Like, literally. Arguably the real star here was the metric ton of fireworks on display throughout Maroon 5’s performance. Given the sheer volume of sweat on Levine’s shirtless torso, we can’t even imagine what it must have felt like in Big Boi’s fur coat.
https://twitter.com/wraub/status/1092245577960611840
Right now there are more fireworks during the halftime show than both the @Patriots and @RamsNFL offenses during the game. The @Lakers without LeBron James can score more on the board than the @RamsNFL. #SuperBowl
— Omari Stridiron (@CaphillOmari) February 4, 2019
That firework show tho! #SuperBowl
— D. Bryant (@DBryant021) February 4, 2019
You can watch the full halftime show below:
What did you think of the performance? Did you have a favorite part?
Leave a Comment