The Weeknd is just coming out of a dizzying and bleak performance at the Super Bowl LV break in Tampa, and the reception for his show seemed quite polarizing. Some loved it, others couldn’t resist complaining on Twitter. Where did you fall? Don’t answer that … nobody cares. These are yesterday’s news.
Instead, we are looking ahead and turning our attention to the Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles next year. Who can be in line to get the honors of the 2022 break show? It is too early to know, but it is not too early to guess. Here are 10 suggestions that make sense, like:
Drake
This seems like an obvious place to start. The singer / rapper made a brief appearance during Super Bowl LV in a commercial like “Drake from State Farm”, but it seems natural that he will have the break show at some point soon. Drake is so embedded in the sporting community right now that it is honestly shocking that he has not yet gotten the job. He has the successes and the star power to qualify, so why not make him two Canadian headliners?
Foo Fighters
Another case of “how haven’t they done that yet?” Have the Foo Fighters passed their peak yet? Probably, but they have the necessary catalog (and some more) and are still able to put on quite a show. Plus, you wouldn’t have to deal with all the cranky old sports journalists complaining about how they don’t “understand” the song.
Rihanna
It’s been a while since Rihanna is in the music spotlight, but she is apparently on her ninth full studio album. If she decides to release it sometime this year, it could mark a comeback tour that will put her on the stage at Super Bowl LVI. She has already turned down the halftime show and has been very critical of the NFL – especially with regard to the treatment they give Colin Kaepernick – but that was before Roc Nation of Jay-Z (the label with which Rihanna signed) came on a partnership with the NFL to produce the Super Bowl halftime shows.
Taylor Swift
Does she need the show? Certainly not, and Swift apparently intends to do things on his own terms, while limiting his time in the spotlight in recent years. That said, she is still arguably the biggest music star and the Super Bowl offers one of the biggest stages in music. With a lot of new songs she’ll still play live, who’s to say the temptation wouldn’t be there?
Snoop Dogg
Like Drake, Snoop has been part of the sports community for a long time and he has enough successes to make a big show (and friends famous enough to have a lot of cool guest artists.) It doesn’t matter, it seems like he likes say “yes” to all the offers that arrive and that next year’s Super Bowl is in Los Angeles.
Harry Styles
He’s one of the biggest young stars in music and his selection would be extremely popular with a younger audience, so that could be really attractive to the league. In addition, his most recent solo work has been well received by critics and fans, so there is enough catalog to make it work. In addition, it would open the door to a possible One Direction reunion at the Super Bowl and that would certainly generate buzz.
Britney Spears
There has been a lot of talk about Britney recently, thanks to the drama surrounding her tutelage and the #FreeBritney movement. There is a lot of uncertainty about her status right now, but if she is well enough to perform (and really wants to do it), then the Super Bowl can offer the opportunity for her to provoke a comeback and start a new chapter for herself, especially if guardianship is suspended (or modified) until then.
Bruce Springsteen
I know he did the halftime show, but I’m still putting him here for other sports writers to retweet this article.
New Radicals
Yes, they only have one album and have been inactive for more than 20 years, but they recently got together for a special performance before President Biden took office, so why not double it? And who cares about a limited catalog … a Super Bowl break usually lasts 12 to 14 minutes, which means they could just play “You Get What You Give” about two and a half times. It is almost a perfect setlist.
Creed
You saw Creed’s Thanksgiving performance in 2001, right? It’s almost a crime that they didn’t get a show at the break after that. It is not so late. Do the right thing.