Super Bowl 2014: Bruno Mars stands — and delivers — in halftime show

Los Angeles Times ^ | 02/03/2014 | Mikael Wood

[SeekAndFind]

Review: Young charmer Bruno Mars brings fresh energy to familiar styles during his brief but snapped-tight set. Too bad L.A.'s own Red Hot Chili Peppers crashed the stage.

The question dominated much of the nonfootball-related chatter in the run-up to Sunday's Super Bowl: As the featured act of this year's halftime show, was Bruno Mars really up to the job of entertaining a television audience of approximately 100 million people?

The answer, it turned out, was yes. But before he could prove it, Mars had to weather a storm of skepticism. He's only 28, decades younger than other artists who've played the show recently, such as Prince and the Rolling Stones. And Mars has released only two albums, a puny songbook compared to the deep troves of Bruce Springsteen and the Who.

The singer himself seemed to acknowledge his inexperience at a news conference last week, saying the call to perform "definitely came soon" in his career. (Wary of arming his naysayers, he quickly added, "I ain't scared.")

Yet after several halftime extravaganzas touched by controversy — including the appearance of M.I.A.'s middle finger during Madonna's 2012 show and last year's performance by Beyoncé, who just weeks prior had caused an uproar by lip-synching at President Obama's second inauguration — it's easy to see why the National Football League chose Mars to headline Sunday's halftime show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

An old-fashioned charmer with old-fashioned talent, Mars is probably the most wholesome star in Top 40 pop right now, not to mention the one whose skill set most readily overlaps with that of the legends of yesteryear. He's also deeply unlikely to flash any skin — a reassuring prospect to NFL brass still haunted by a glimpse of Janet Jackson's nipple 10 years ago.

[Mad Dawgg]

"and being a RHCP fan, i enjoyed them too :)"

FLEA RULES!

[momtothree]

IMHO, Bruno Mars and his backups did a wonderful job. They had a lot of energy and to be honest.. he sounded good. Gosh, remember a few years back that band with Fergie in it? Horrible!! I enjoyed the halftime performance... the game? Not so much.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

How did the opera singer do on the Anthem?

[EDINVA]

Last night’s was the first SB I’ve turned on in a decade. Left the room for a bit at the start of the half-time show, but when I returned, Mars was on and it was a total delight to stay on the channel to watch him, rather than switch to TWC.

I’ve seen clips of the Rolling Stone/Paul McCartney/Beyonce halftime performances. Blah! This young man entertained in a way that emphasized his (and his group’s) actual God-given talent instead of blue smoke and mirrors.

[southern rock]

He did great. They could’ve done without the other group that showed up on stage though

Ummm.. You mean The Red Hot Chili Peppers? They have only been around for 3 decades and are far,far more well known that Bruno Mars.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: How did the opera singer do on the Anthem?

If you love opera, Renee Fleming delivered a powerful, impressive anthem (Mario Lanza and Roberta Peters would be proud).

Listen for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7etXoNrwP8c

[Wyatt's Torch]

Agree. Not a “fan” of his music but it was a great performance. Best since Prince IMHO.

[southern rock]

... and when I did look around, some grunge band had gotten on stage with some pretty good clean cuts and THEY ALL were hoppin' around like friggin' PSY or whatever his name is. The clean cuts lost points, IMO.

I hope this is sarcasm. Sometimes I can't tell because sometimes it is downright scary just how oblivious some Freepers are to the world around them.

[FXRP]

The national anthem took about 5 minutes to complete. It was sung with respect, but way to stylized for my tastes.

[llmc1]

“Yep, so “wholesome” his CD has a Parental Advisory sticker on it.”

Yeah, I am a bit confused about the admiration this guy is getting.

[SeekAndFind]

Edit to add, what I appreciate about Renee Fleming’s version of the anthem is the straightforward singing, none of those annoying melismatic decorations (especially when they hit the part of the LAND OF THE FREEEEEE <-— this is where it often gets annoying ) modern singers tend to add to the anthem.

[stevio]

From what I remember, her intonation was off on a few notes, and her tone wasn’t what I thought an opera singer should sound like, but what do I know.

[LadyBuck]

This was great - finally a half-time show the whole family could watch.

And I heard through the family grapevine that my 93 yr old Granny stayed up past her bedtime just to watch the RHCP.

Awesomeness.

[Georgia Girl 2]

We thoughtit was a refreshing change and with no wardrobe malfunctions. :-)

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Thanks Seek! I am definitely not an opera fan, but I felt Fleming would do a lot better job that those in the recent past.

[angcat]

I was thinking Motown. At least his bad has talent and plays instruments unlike many ass wipes that our kids like today.

[Maceman]

You’re just wrong. He was great.

[Beowulf9]

I don’t get it. I walked in the room, Bruno Mars half time show was on, I thought it was just awful.

I see this line of guys singing with no talent and dancing like the boy bands of the 80s, reminded me of n sync.

I thought it was awful. Then I see everyone saying how great it was.

I’m used to a higher talent level. I listen to Siriusly Sinatra all the time...these guys...no.

[Thorliveshere]

I actually like Bruno Mars. He fills the void left by Michael Jackson (without all of the craziness). I like his Police homage song, Locked out of Heaven.

[dead]

Chili Peppers woke the place up. Mars was good, but it was going on too long and starting to get Vegasy. Needed some balls at that point, and the Chili Peppers provided.