Bad Bunny and Green Day Rock Super Bowl LX – The DePauw newspaper
Super Bowl 60, held on Sunday, February 8, at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, showcased a dynamic blend of musical performances and athletic competition. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots with a final score of 29-13. The event featured pre-game performances by Green Day, Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile, and Coco Jones, culminating in a highly anticipated halftime show headlined by Bad Bunny.
A Bay Area Homecoming and a Political Pause
Green Day, comprised of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool, opened the Super Bowl festivities. As natives of the San Francisco Bay Area, the performance represented a homecoming for the band. They performed four songs from their album “American Idiot,” including “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life),” “Holiday,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” and “American Idiot.”
Notably, Green Day deviated from their typical political commentary during the performance. They omitted the final verse of “Holiday,” which references former President George W. Bush, and skipped the second verse of “American Idiot,” a song that has recently been adapted to critique the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) platform.
Halftime Spectacle with Bad Bunny
The Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show featured Bad Bunny, who began his performance with “Titi Me Preguntó” surrounded by a set designed to evoke Puerto Rican culture, including sugarcane fields and dancers wearing pava hats – traditional Puerto Rican straw hats.
Bad Bunny’s performance included several visual references to his identity and heritage. He wore a jersey with “Ocasio” on the back and the number 64, referencing his full name, Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, and potentially his uncle’s jersey number, his mother’s birth year, or his album “El Último Tour del Mundo,” which was the first Spanish-language album to top the all-genre Billboard 200 chart in 64 years.
A Celebration of Puerto Rican Culture
The halftime show featured depictions of Puerto Rican life, including food stands selling coco frio and piragua, a domino game, and a nail salon. Celebrities Cardi B, Jessica Alba, and Pedro Pascal joined Bad Bunny on stage, appearing to celebrate their Latino heritage. Maria Antonia “Tonita” Cay, the owner of a Caribbean Social in New York, also made a cameo appearance.
Midway through his performance, Bad Bunny addressed the audience directly, encouraging them to believe in themselves and recognize their worth. He then oversaw a surprise wedding ceremony, legally marrying a couple who had previously invited him to their wedding. Lady Gaga joined Bad Bunny on stage, performing a Latin-inspired rendition of “Die With A Smile” while wearing a flor de maga, the national flower of Puerto Rico.
A Message of Unity and Love
Bad Bunny continued his performance with “NUEVAYoL” and paid tribute to his recent Grammy win for “Debi Tirar Mas Fotos,” handing a Grammy award to a young boy in the audience and encouraging him to “always believe in yourself.” He concluded his performance with “DtMF,” listing countries in North and South America while dancers carried their flags, and displaying the message “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” – a reference to a previous Grammy speech.
Frequently Asked Questions
What teams played in Super Bowl 60?
The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots played in Super Bowl 60.
Who performed during the Super Bowl 60 halftime show?
Bad Bunny headlined the Super Bowl 60 halftime show, with a surprise appearance by Lady Gaga.
Did Green Day perform any politically charged songs during the Super Bowl?
Green Day omitted verses from “Holiday” and “American Idiot” that contained political references, choosing to refrain from political commentary during their performance.
As Bad Bunny’s performance concluded, leaving a message of unity and love, one can’t help but wonder how this culturally rich halftime show will influence future Super Bowl performances?