| Super Bowl | Year | Headliner(s) | Key Performers/Songs | Estimated Viewers (Millions) | The Unforgettable Moment(s) | Controversy? Rating (Low/Med/High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XXXIV | 2000 | Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton | "Another Day in Paradise," "Genie in a Bottle," "Rhythm Divine," "He Wasn't Man Enough" | ~88.5 | A massive light-up "2000" on the field. Felt more like a variety show. | Low (Criticized as disjointed) |
| XXXV | 2001 | Aerosmith, *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Nelly | "Walk This Way" mashup, "Bye Bye Bye," "Oops!...I Did It Again" | ~89.0 | The chaotic energy of Britney and *NSYNC colliding with Aerosmith. Pure early 2000s. | Medium (Some called it messy; others loved the chaos) |
| XXXVI | 2002 | U2 | "Beautiful Day," "MLK," "Where the Streets Have No Name" | ~87.0 | The scrolling names of 9/11 victims on a giant heart-shaped backdrop. Powerful, somber. | None (Universally praised for its respectful tribute) |
| XXXVII | 2003 | Shania Twain, No Doubt, Sting | "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!," "Just a Girl," "Message in a Bottle" | ~89.0 | Shania surfing the crowd on a platform. Sting looking effortlessly cool. | Low |
| XXXVIII | 2004 | Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Kid Rock, P. Diddy, Nelly | "All For You," "Rock Your Body," "Cowboy," "Bad Boy for Life," "Hot in Herre" | ~89.6 | Janet and Justin's finale... and the infamous "wardrobe malfunction." | HIGH ("Nipplegate" dominated headlines, led to FCC fines and policy changes) |
| XXXIX | 2005 | Paul McCartney | "Drive My Car," "Get Back," "Live and Let Die," "Hey Jude" | ~86.1 | A sea of swaying fans singing "Na Na Na Na Na Na Na..." during "Hey Jude." Pure singalong magic. | None (The "safe" choice post-2004, but undeniably solid) |
| XL | 2006 | The Rolling Stones | "Start Me Up," "Rough Justice," "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" | ~90.7 | Mick Jagger, at 62, sprinting across the tongue stage like a man half his age. | Low (Slight censorship on Mick's lyrics) |
| XLI | 2007 | Prince | "Let's Go Crazy," "Baby I'm a Star," "Proud Mary," "Best of You," "Purple Rain" | ~93.2 | Prince shredding "Purple Rain" silhouette against a downpour. Iconic. | None (Often cited as the BEST ever; pure artistry) |
| XLII | 2008 | Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers | "American Girl," "I Won't Back Down," "Free Fallin'," "Runnin' Down a Dream" | ~97.5 | A straightforward, hit-packed rock set. Classic. | None (Well-received, if slightly predictable) |
| XLIII | 2009 | Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band | "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," "Born to Run," "Working on a Dream," "Glory Days" | ~95.4 | The Boss knee-sliding into the camera. Pure, unadulterated joy. | Low (Minor audio glitch) |
| XLIV | 2010 | The Who | "Pinball Wizard," "Baba O'Riley," "Who Are You," "Won't Get Fooled Again" | ~90.0 | Roger Daltrey's signature scream still packing a punch decades later. | Low (Critics said they looked tired) |
| XLV | 2011 | The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash | "I Gotta Feeling," "Boom Boom Pow," "Sweet Child O' Mine" (Slash), "OMG" (Usher) | ~111.0 | Fergie's surprisingly decent rock vocals on "Sweet Child O' Mine." Usher's slick cameo. | Medium/High (Vocals criticized, costumes called cheesy) |
| XLVI | 2012 | Madonna, LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., CeeLo Green | "Vogue," "Music," "Give Me All Your Luvin'," "Like a Prayer," "Party Rock Anthem" | ~114.0 | Madonna's Roman goddess entrance. M.I.A.'s middle finger during live broadcast. | Medium (M.I.A.'s gesture caused backlash) |
| XLVII | 2013 | Beyoncé, Destiny's Child Reunion | "Crazy in Love," "Single Ladies," "Bootylicious," "Independent Women," "Halo" | ~110.5 | The Destiny's Child reunion. Beyoncé's powerhouse vocals shutting down lip-sync rumours. | Medium (Power outage delayed show start!) |
| XLVIII | 2014 | Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers | "Locked Out of Heaven," "Treasure," "Give It Away," "Just the Way You Are" | ~115.3 | Bruno Mars proving he could command the stage solo. The drum solo intro! | Low |
| XLIX | 2015 | Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliott | "Roar," "Dark Horse," "I Kissed a Girl," "Get Ur Freak On" (Missy), "California Gurls" | ~118.5 | The Left Shark meme. Missy Elliott's epic return. Katy flying in on a giant lion. | Low (Left Shark stole the show unintentionally) |
| 50 | 2016 | Coldplay, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars | "Viva la Vida," "Paradise," "Uptown Funk" (Bruno), "Formation" (Beyoncé) | ~115.5 | The vibrant, colorful field display. Beyoncé stealing the show with "Formation." | Medium (Coldplay overshadowed; some criticized the "kumbaya" vibe) |
| LI | 2017 | Lady Gaga | "Poker Face," "Born This Way," "Telephone," "Just Dance," "Million Reasons," "Bad Romance" | ~117.5 | The jaw-dropping jump from the roof. A flawless, high-energy solo spectacle. | None (Widely praised as a triumph) |
| LII | 2018 | Justin Timberlake | "Filthy," "Rock Your Body," "SexyBack," "Mirrors," "Can't Stop the Feeling!", Prince Tribute | ~106.6 | The hologram Prince tribute (controversial). JT wandering through the crowd. | Medium/High (Prince hologram backlash, vocals criticized) |
| LIII | 2019 | Maroon 5, Travis Scott, Big Boi (OutKast) | "Harder to Breathe," "This Love," "Sicko Mode" (Travis), "The Way You Move" (Big Boi), "Girls Like You," "Moves Like Jagger" | ~98.2 | A slick, if somewhat safe, performance. Travis Scott's brief energy burst. | Medium (Heavy criticism over choice & lack of spectacle) |
| LIV | 2020 | Shakira, Jennifer Lopez | "She Wolf," "Empire," "Whenever, Wherever," "Hips Don't Lie," "Jenny from the Block," "On the Floor," "Waka Waka," "Let's Get Loud" | ~103.0 | The sheer stamina and athleticism. Pole dancing segment. The cultural celebration. | Low (Minor censorship on costumes) |
| LV | 2021 | The Weeknd | "Starboy," "The Hills," "Can't Feel My Face," "I Feel It Coming," "Save Your Tears," "Earned It," "Blinding Lights" | ~96.7 | The surreal, maze-like set with endless corridors and mirrors. Unique aesthetic. | Low (Some found the concept confusing or repetitive) |
| LVI | 2022 | Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent | "The Next Episode," "California Love," "Family Affair," "No More Drama," "m.A.A.d city," "Lose Yourself," "In Da Club" | ~120.0 | A hip-hop history lesson. 50 Cent upside down! Kendrick's powerful presence. | Low (Eminem kneeling briefly) |
| LVII | 2023 | Rihanna | "Bitch Better Have My Money," "Where Have You Been," "Only Girl," "We Found Love," "Rude Boy," "Work," "Wild Thoughts," "Umbrella," "Diamonds" | ~118.7 | Rihanna casually announcing pregnancy #2 mid-show. Floating platforms galore. | Low (Vocals slightly shaky at points) |
| LVIII | 2024 | Usher | "Caught Up," "U Don't Have to Call," "Superstar," "Love in This Club," "U Got It Bad," "Nice & Slow," "Confessions Part II," "Yeah!," "OMG," "Burn," "My Boo" | ~123.4 (Record!) | Roller skates! Alicia Keys on the piano! Jermaine Dupri! Ludacris! Lil Jon! H.E.R. guitar solo! Pure Vegas spectacle. | None (Criticized as very Vegas, but viewed as a triumph) |
Note: Viewer numbers are notoriously tricky. NFL official figures often differ significantly from Nielsen ratings reported by media. Numbers here represent widely reported estimates around the time of each show for comparison. The massive jump post-2010 reflects changing measurement standards and streaming inclusion.
**Digging Deeper: What You Really Want to Know About Super Bowl Halftime Shows Since 2000**
Okay, the table gives you the skeleton. Let's add some muscle and answer the questions *I* always get asked when talking **Super Bowl halftime history 2000s onwards**.
The Production Beast: How Do They Pull This Off?
Seriously, how does a full-blown concert appear and disappear in minutes? It's insane logistics. Stages are modular, built on rolling platforms hidden under the field turf. Hundreds of crew members practice the setup and teardown relentlessly for months. The artist gets about 6-8 minutes of actual performance time squeezed into the 13-15 minute TV slot. The rest is setup/teardown. Sound is a nightmare – avoiding feedback in a giant open stadium. And budgets? Rumored to be around $10-20 million *per show*, though the NFL covers it, not the artist. The artist does it for exposure (and a massive post-show sales bump).
The Legacy List: Picking the Best (& Worst)
Everyone ranks these! It's subjective, but based on sheer impact, performance, and cultural staying power, here's a common consensus view on the top-tier **halftime shows from 2000 to now**:
The Undisputed Champions:
* **Prince (2007):** That rain-soaked guitar solo in "Purple Rain"? Legendary. Perfect mix of artistry and showmanship. Often called the GOAT.
* **Michael Jackson (1993 - Pre-2000 but the Blueprint):** Okay, cheating slightly, but you *can't* discuss modern halftimes without acknowledging MJ. He set the standard they've chased ever since.
* **Beyoncé (2013):** Vocals? Flawless. Destiny's Child reunion? Iconic. She owned that stage completely. A masterclass.
* **Lady Gaga (2017):** That dive off the roof set the tone for a high-energy, visually stunning, vocally powerful solo powerhouse. No guests needed.
* **Dr. Dre et al. (2022):** A celebration of hip-hop's dominance and cultural impact. Packed with legends, surprises (50 Cent!), and pure energy. Felt historic.
The Unexpected Gems:
* **U2 (2002):** The 9/11 tribute was powerful and perfectly judged. Not flashy, but deeply moving. Still gives chills.
* **Bruno Mars (2014):** Proved a newer artist could absolutely crush it solo. That drum intro set the energy sky-high.
* **Shakira & J.Lo (2020):** A celebration of Latin music and culture, bursting with energy and incredible choreography. They worked *hard*.
The... Controversial or Underwhelming:
* **Janet Jackson & Justin Timberlake (2004):** Obviously, for *that* moment. Beyond the malfunction, it was actually a decent show until the finale imploded.
* **The Black Eyed Peas (2011):** Remember the glowing blob suits? Vocals were rough. Felt messy and dated even then. Not their finest hour, honestly.
* **Maroon 5 (2019):** Felt safe, uninspired, and lacked the spectacle. Travis Scott was good, but too brief. Didn't meet the moment.
* **The Weeknd (2021):** The mirror maze concept was bold and visually interesting... but maybe a bit alienating? Felt disconnected from the stadium crowd. I appreciated the attempt, but it didn't fully land for me.
**The Impact Beyond the Stage: Sales, Fallout, and Legacy**
What happens *after* the lights go down?
* **The Sales Bump:** It's real. Massive. Artists see streams and downloads skyrocket, sometimes by 500% or more overnight. Catalog sales get a huge boost too. Usher saw a ridiculous surge – almost 550% in streams after LVIII. Rihanna's streams jumped over 400% last year.
* **The Controversy Hangover:** Janet Jackson faced the harshest consequences, effectively blacklisted by Viacom/CBS affiliates for years. Justin Timberlake faced criticism but saw far less career impact. M.I.A. got fined for her gesture. The NFL tightened live broadcast delays significantly after 2004.
* **Career Cementing:** For artists like Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Shakira/J.Lo, their shows solidified them as true A-list superstars capable of commanding the biggest stage. For Dre's crew in 2022, it was a powerful affirmation of hip-hop's cultural supremacy.
Your Burning Questions Answered: Super Bowl Halftime FAQ Since 2000
Let's tackle those common searches head-on.
Do the performers get paid for the Super Bowl halftime show?
Nope! Not a dime from the NFL. Seriously. The league covers all production costs (millions!), but the artist performs for free. Why? The exposure is INSANE. Think hundreds of millions watching live globally. The resulting surge in music sales, streaming, merchandise, and tour ticket demand is worth far more than any fee. It's the ultimate promotional platform.
Has any artist refused to do the Super Bowl halftime show?
Oh yeah, definitely. Some outright turn it down due to scheduling or principle. Others get offered but it falls apart. Notable declines/reports include Adele (reportedly felt she couldn't do it justice), Foo Fighters, and Jay-Z (before his NFL deal). After the Colin Kaepernick fallout, artists like Rihanna reportedly declined due to the NFL's stance on social justice issues. It's not always a simple "yes."
Who has performed the most times at the Super Bowl halftime show since 2000?
It's a tie! Both Gloria Estefan and Justin Timberlake have performed three times *since 2000*.
* Gloria Estefan: XXXIII (1999, just squeaking in? Often counted), XXXIV (2000), XXXV (2001 - as part of the "mega-mix").
* Justin Timberlake: XXXV (2001 - with *NSYNC), XXXVIII (2004 - with Janet Jackson), LII (2018 - solo).
Others close: Beyoncé (XXXVIII backup? 2013 solo, 2016 guest), Bruno Mars (2014 solo, 2016 guest).
What was the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show since 2000?
Usher just smashed it! Super Bowl LVIII (2024) holds the current record with an estimated **123.4 million viewers** in the US (Nielsen via CBS Sports). Before that, Katy Perry's 2015 show (SB XLIX) held the record at around 118.5 million. Viewer measurement has changed over the years (now includes streaming more comprehensively), making direct comparisons tricky, but Usher's official number is the highest reported.
Have there been any technical disasters besides the 2004 malfunction?
The biggest tech hiccup was probably Super Bowl XLVII (2013). Beyoncé was literally about to start when... the stadium lights went out! A partial power outage delayed the show for over 30 minutes. She handled it like a pro, starting late but delivering flawlessly. Other issues have included minor sound glitches (Springsteen 2009) or pyrotechnics not firing perfectly, but nothing as globally famous as "Nipplegate" or the blackout.
Who picks the Super Bowl halftime show performer?
It's a complex process involving the NFL (specifically league executives and events team), the broadcast network airing that year's Super Bowl (CBS, Fox, NBC), and major sponsors (like Pepsi, Apple Music). They look for artists with massive appeal, a broad catalog of hits, the ability to deliver a huge live spectacle, and crucially, someone whose brand aligns with the NFL's image (less of a factor pre-Kaepernick era). Politics, both internal and external, definitely play a role.
Is the show completely live?
This is a big one! Vocals are usually a mix. Heavy backing tracks are standard because of the crazy acoustics and choreography demands. *But* the best performers (like Beyoncé in 2013, Gaga in 2017, Bruno in 2014) prove they *can* sing live over them. Lip-syncing does happen, especially for complex dance routines or when artists are breathless. Instruments played on stage are usually live. The spectacle – the dancing, the pyro, the sets – is definitely happening live. It's more "live-enhanced" than purely live singing all the time.
**Looking Ahead: What's Next for the Halftime Show?**
The trend is clear: bigger production, more guest stars (especially for legacy acts like Dre or Usher), and embracing diverse genres beyond pure pop/rock. Hip-hop's dominance was cemented in 2022. Country hasn't had a true solo headliner in the modern era – could that change? The pressure to top the previous year is immense. Will they lean further into technology (AR, drones)? Or maybe strip it back for a raw, vocal-focused performance? One thing's certain: analyzing **Super Bowl halftime shows since 2000** shows how they've become must-see TV, and that isn't stopping anytime soon. Who do you think should headline next year? I'm still holding out for a full Metallica set... though my neighbors might disagree.
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