I think we can all agree that the Super Bowl halftime show this year was one crazy ride. But what strikes me the most about this halftime show was how little focus there was on actual music. Yes, some very large statements were made in regards to several politically and socially charged topics. But it seems that all people are talking about is how those topics and the performers were either in the right or in the wrong. And perhaps there is a right answer, but is it really any one person’s right to say? What I think we should talk about is something that will not divide us with hatred, but bind us together and that is music.
We need to keep in mind that Coldplay, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars are all artists. They have creative freedom and do not owe anyone an explanation for it. What these artists aim to do, besides make a statement, is make music. And in my personal opinion, the artists who succeeded in doing just that at this Super Bowl is Coldplay. Now, I am a huge Beyoncé and Bruno Mars fan, but I was not that impressed by the music either of them chose to perform. While Beyoncé’s new hit, “Formation,” shared a very powerful message, I felt it lacked the opportunity for her to show off her unreal vocals and musical ability. Bruno’s performance made me feel the same. It was strange to me how to incredibly talented singers chose music that did not do them or their talents justice.
But for me, the exception was Coldplay. Chris Martin opened the show on the field singing the hook for “Yellow,” then into there hit song "Viva la Vida." And for Martin, this show was not about loud bumping music or crazy costumes or dance moves (though he did boast some very colorful pants), but a celebration of music, color and peoples differences. In Coldplay’s performance, I could see the positivity radiate from Martin’s voice, the lyrics the band wrote and the musical composition of the songs. While Coldplay did make a statement, it was one that brought us all together through the music. It did disappoint me that their songs each had to be cut short to make room for the other artists. Had they been able to at least finish a song, I wonder if I would have enjoyed this halftime show more. But either way, Coldplay's performance was entertaining, musically balanced and just really great.
I think that is what the Super Bowl is about. While none of us can deny that there are many divisions among us, be it race, sexuality, politics, religion, we are all able to come together and enjoy a football game or an epic concert. That is what makes things like sports, music and art so important. It makes us forget that we have differences and reminds us that we are more alike than we think. It shows us that we have the ability to put our differences aside and come together as a world and be happy.
