The Weeknd Steps Out of the Shadows for His Spectacular Super Bowl 2021 Halftime Performance
Last Sunday, February 7th, Canadian pop singer/songwriter The Weeknd touched down in Tampa, Florida for the biggest football game of the season. The Super Bowl LV between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended in a huge win for the city’s home team, and was not like any other Super Bowl prior. With the stadium at half capacity, empty seats were taken up by cardboard cutouts of fans, and masks were worn by nearly everyone in attendance. However, another thing that made this Super Bowl stand out was The Weeknd’s spectacular set during half time, as he performed a medley of all of his greatest hits.
Starting the 14-minute set inside a sleek prop sports car, the singer steps through an electrified background of neon lights and mini skyscrapers as a gospel choir sings the title line to his hit song, “Call Out My Name”. A cloaked figure is seen descending into the choir on a series of elevated platforms, which then separate to form a pathway for the Weeknd to make his official grand entrance with “Starboy”. With his fancy footwork and ad libs reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s 80’s pop, the energy is high in the crowd.
With a blast of smoke and lights, the performance transitions into the dark and brooding sounds of “The Hills,” the next song of the medley. The Weeknd sings directly to the camera while moving around his mic stand, engaging the at home audience watching the performance on their televisions. The set in which the singer emerged from suddenly begins to open up again, however the camera is taken inside with him for a psychedelic setting to the song “I Can’t Feel My Face”. This section of the performance was heavily catered to the viewers at home, with the Weeknd interacting with the camera’s spinning movements. As the drops into the chorus, a large group of bandaged face men emerge from the other corridors of the set, seemingly bumping into each other, overwhelming the setting.
The singer then returns to the outdoor stage for “I Feel It Coming,” ending the segment in front of a backdrop of fireworks. Transitioning into the upbeat acoustic rhythm of “Save Your Tears” and then into an orchestral led rendition of “Earned It”, The Weeknd showcased his range in musical styles and abilities, and continued to keep the audience on their toes with unwavering energy.
Ending this segment with a powerful held out note, the video clip cuts to the group of bandaged men on the field in a block formation. The backup dancers move in impressive synchronization, as the drum lead into a combination of “House of Balloons,” and “Glass Table Girls” transitions into the familiar 4-4 drum beat of the Weeknd’s 2020 pop hit “Blinding Lights”. The song’s 80’s pop vibe paired with the lights of the stadium, the movements of the background dancers, and of course, the Weeknd’s stable vocals made for the grand finale to an iconic Super Bowl halftime set. The performance officially ends with a series of fireworks and crowd cheers, as the talented artist basks in the moment by looking up at the sky with his arms spread upward.
If you missed the halftime show, feel free to check it out here. The Weeknd has come a long way to reach this point in his career, and this performance proves it is a result of his undeniable talent, hard work, and dedication to his audience
