For the ninth consecutive year, rock music acts have been excluded from performing at the Super Bowl halftime show. The last rock band to headline the event was Coldplay in 2016, with other notable appearances from The Who, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty prior to that. As announced this weekend, the entertainment for Super Bowl LIX, scheduled for February 9, 2025, at Caesar's Superdome in New Orleans, will feature hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar. This selection aligns with a growing trend focusing on genres such as pop and hip-hop for the high-profile halftime slot.
Kendrick Lamar had a memorable performance in 2022 during the Super Bowl LVI alongside fellow artists Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent. The booking of artist lineups for the halftime show continues to be managed by Jay-Z's Roc Nation, a partnership that has emphasized contemporary hip-hop and pop performances over rock acts.
As the anticipation for next year’s Super Bowl builds, the absence of rock artists has drawn attention and sparked conversations about the evolving landscape of live entertainment at this major sporting event. While artists like Drake may express disappointment, the focus remains on Lamar as he prepares for another high-profile performance.
For more information about the upcoming Super Bowl LIX and the history of halftime show performers, visit A Journal of Musical Things.