Whether starring Al Hirt, Michael Jackson or Beyoncé, the Super Bowl halftime show has always occupied the spotlight on the field.
But for the first time in the game’s 55-year history, Weeknd, which is the main attraction this Sunday in Tampa, Florida, will perform on a stage set up in the stands according to strict coronavirus protocols designed to limit contact with players and coaches; his act may, however, include a brief interlude in the field.
In a typical year, a huge stage is rolled out onto the field and hundreds of fans spread out to surround it; this year, only 1,050 people are expected to work to present the show, compared to 2,000 to 3,000 in most years. Artists and team members will receive Covid-19 tests before rehearsals and before the performance.
When he walked over to the microphone on Thursday at a press conference, Weeknd came into the room and observed, “It’s half empty.” His words were perhaps a preview of what the stadium might look like for people watching from home. (About 25,000 fans will be at the stadium – less than half its capacity for 65,000 people – accompanied by thousands of two-dimensional cardboard cutouts from fans provided by the NFL)
The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye), is a 30 year old Canadian pop star known for hits like “Can’t Feel My Face” and “Starboy”. Their shows usually have a taciturn touch and a dark and avant-garde touch. (The video for his latest hit, “Blinding Lights,” starts with Weeknd laughing wildly, his face covered in blood.) He said his halftime show would incorporate some of his trademark artistic themes, but which he plans to be ” respectful to viewers at home. ”
“The story will continue,” he said, “but we will definitely keep it PG for families.”
This will be the second Super Bowl halftime show produced in part by Jay-Z and his entertainment company Roc Nation, who were recruited by the NFL in 2019. At the time, the artists refused to work with the league in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers defender who started to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice.
The pandemic has been a particular obstacle to live performances of all kinds, and many have had to resort to pre-recording some elements and other methods to ensure the safety of artists and the public. The production team for the halftime show, however, was engaged in a live performance at the stadium.
“Although it is a challenge, it also created an incredible opportunity to present a live program that is unique during the break,” said Jesse Collins, executive producer of the program, at the news conference.
After a year filled with tragedies and turmoil, Super Bowl performances will undoubtedly include seriousness. A pre-game television show featuring Miley Cyrus will be presented to an audience of more than 7,000 vaccinated health professionals, and Amanda Gorman, the poet who received rave reviews for “The Hill We Climb”, which she read in the possession of President Biden , will recite another original poem, this one about a teacher, a veteran and a health professional. The R&B performer HER will sing “America the Beautiful”, while the national anthem will be a duet by Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan.
It is unclear whether this year’s halftime show will have the same high-budget, high-tech feel from previous years, which often featured dozens of backup dancers in elaborate costumes and memorable moments like a flying Lady Gaga and Katy Perry riding a animatronic lion. The Weeknd seems to want to stick to the tradition: he said he planned to spend $ 7 million of his own money to improve performance.
He said his favorite performance at the Super Bowl break was Diana Ross in 1996. He said he particularly admired her leaving in a helicopter, which rose through the crowded stadium with the diva waving to fans through the open door.
“I wish I could have done that,” he joked. “I don’t think I have enough money to do that, to be honest.”