Usher Promises Roller-Skating Spectacle in Super Bowl Half-Time Show
The Super Bowl half-time show is always a highly anticipated event, with viewers eagerly awaiting the performances of some of the biggest names in the music industry. This year, R&B singer Usher is set to take the stage and promises to deliver a roller-skating spectacle that will leave audiences in awe.
Usher recently completed a successful residency in Las Vegas, during which he wowed audiences with his roller-skating skills. He plans to recreate this viral highlight during his Super Bowl performance, marking a “new beginning” in his 30-year career. As the first independent artist to headline the half-time show, Usher has taken control of his music by self-releasing his album, Coming Home, this weekend.
In an interview with Apple Music’s Nadeska Alexis, Usher remained tight-lipped about his setlist but acknowledged the challenge of condensing 30 years of music into a 13-minute performance. He expressed his intention to include songs that people know him for and iconic dance routines from his career. When asked about potential guest performers, Usher hinted at collaborations with singers who have been featured on hit records, such as Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, and Lil’ Jon.
The Super Bowl half-time show has seen performances from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Katy Perry, Prince, and Beyoncé. Usher’s inclusion as an independent artist showcases his artistic freedom and ability to captivate audiences on his own terms.
The Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas will serve as the backdrop for Usher’s performance as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers. Previous half-time show performers include Rihanna, who performed while pregnant in 2023, and the star-studded lineup of Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J Blige, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and 50 Cent in 2022.
Usher is no stranger to the Super Bowl stage, having made a special guest appearance with the Black Eyed Peas in 2011. He stunned audiences with a breathtaking leap over will.i.am, landing in the splits. This year, he aims to deliver an even more memorable performance that showcases his talent as a singer, dancer, and roller-skater.
The Super Bowl will also feature other notable performances, including country singer Reba McEntire singing America’s national anthem, Post Malone performing “America the Beautiful,” and Andra Day concluding the pre-game concert with “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the black national anthem. Additionally, dance musician Tiesto will make history as the first-ever in-game DJ at the Super Bowl.
For those eager to catch Usher’s roller-skating spectacle, the Super Bowl will start at 23:30 UK time (15:30 in Las Vegas), with half-time expected to occur around 01:00-01:30 UK time (17:00-17:30 in Las Vegas). The match will be broadcast on CBS in the US and ITV1 and ITVX in the UK. The NFL typically uploads the entire half-time show on YouTube immediately after its broadcast for those who prefer to watch it at a later time.
The Super Bowl half-time show holds immense significance as it consistently attracts a larger audience than the game itself. In 2022, Rihanna’s performance drew a record-breaking 121 million viewers. Even when the line-up may not be as star-studded, such as Maroon 5’s performance in 2019, the viewership remains close to 100 million. The platform provides artists with an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their talent and reach a massive audience. Usher recognizes this opportunity and has announced a new album and US tour to coincide with his Super Bowl performance, with fans eagerly awaiting the possibility of UK tour dates.
While Usher prepares to deliver a roller-skating spectacle during the Super Bowl half-time show, all eyes are on whether Taylor Swift, who is currently dating Kansas City player Travis Kelce, will be in attendance. Swift has attended more than 10 of Kelce’s games this season but has a concert scheduled in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl. Kelce has expressed uncertainty about Swift’s attendance, stating that she is focused on her performances in Japan. However, the Japanese Embassy in Washington has weighed in on the matter, suggesting that Swift could comfortably make the 12-hour flight and arrive in Las Vegas before the Super Bowl begins.
Amidst the excitement surrounding the Super Bowl, right-wing conspiracy theorists have claimed that the event has been rigged to help Swift and Kelce, who have endorsed Democratic politicians and appeared in ads for Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine, secure victory for Joe Biden in the upcoming US presidential election. These claims have been dismissed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who labeled them as “nonsense” and emphasized that the Super Bowl is not scripted or pre
