Prior to a quite uneventful power outage, Beyonce’s Superbowl halftime performance last night depicted much of what people crave in a performance of this occasion: Stellar pyrotechnics, crisp choreography and most of all a neat surprise (in this case, the reuniting of Destiny’s Child).
The performance began with the cameras panning over the ecstatic fans scrambling up to the stage and then fire bursting out from the stage spokes to reveal the design of two faces mirroring each other. Beyonce then began singing “Love on Top” in leather clad boots and a black minidress along with her dancers, and the crowd exploded with joy. After her unveiling, she burst into “Crazy in Love” introducing some of her accompanying musicians and bringing with her a phenomenal light show to stir up everyone in the stadium.
Following her first two songs, she then came in with “End of Time” and then “Baby Boy”; the ladder which was performed with a special effects screen behind her and a few dancers. Beyonce, as if there was less to be expected, sang with such great charisma and flare that this definitely marked one of the better halftimes within the past few decades.
There were plenty of rumors floating around that Beyonce would reunite with Destiny’s Child for her performance at the Superbowl, and about half way through the show, that became fact, and added a nice element of surprise to the already fantastic show. Her band mates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland shot up from under the stage on both sides of Beyonce to sing a cut version of “Bootylicious” and then run into the Charlie’s Angels rendition of “Independent Woman, Pt. 1.” The song included a lining of fire around the stage and at the end, a clip of sound from the film.
“Good morning, angels.”
“Good morning Charlie.”
The trio proceeded to then perform “Single Ladies”; originally a song by Beyonce but made into a group piece, which gave a nostalgic feeling to most women in the stands and on the field. This then lead into Beyonce on one knee solely singing “Halo” as the closing song for the night. A beautiful piece to end the night with, she sang with such conviction and soul that it almost epitomized the balance between pouring your heart out in a song, but also being fast about it, and understanding the schedule that must be maintained.
Beyonce definitely set a new bar for pop performers at halftime shows. Near perfect vocals, a big surprise with Destiny’s Child and the wonderful production made this one of the top shows for a Super Bowl.
Who knows, maybe Beyonce killed the power.