# Superbowl halftime discussion? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [February 8, 2021, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460 "2021-02-08T17:26:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/1 "2021-02-08T17:26:07Z")
Wondered if anyone was up for discussing yesterday’s halftime show. Apologies if this is nothing other than an old guy observing how out of it I am. And I acknowledge the inherent challenges of halftime shows. I had heard of “The Weekend” previously from when he performed on SNL, but I had no recollection of him. I expected him to be a rapper. His music was more appealing to me than most rap, but was pretty unmemorable. Impressed me as just generic dance music. Nothing about his voice/moves really impressed me. This morning’s paper said he had been offered EITHER the Superbowl OR the Grammies. He chose the SB and personally paid some 7mill for the show. So - what exactly did he spend that on? I couldn’t understand the lyrics, but what was with those tiers of glowing-eyed folk behind him, then the spinning inside with the lights, and all the guys w/ jockstraps over their heads? Yeah, I’m fine w/ it just not being my cup of tea. But it seemed he was intending to convey some message that was sure opaque to me. Googling, it looks like those were supposed to be face bandages, and he apparently appears at times w/ fake injuries. I’m eager to hear what demo he appealed to and why. ---
**Author:** ![MrMrmrmr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrmrmrmr/32/5828_2.png) [@MrMrmrmr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMrmrmr)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/2 "2021-02-08T17:32:41Z")
Full agreement from another out of touch old guy. My wife and looked at each other about half way through and we were shaking our heads in bewilderment. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/3 "2021-02-08T17:38:30Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I had heard of “The Weekend” previously from when he performed on SNL, but I had no recollection of him. I expected him to be a rapper. His music was more appealing to me than most rap, but was pretty unmemorable. Impressed me as just generic dance music. Nothing about his voice/moves really impressed me. Same, but I had never heard of him. ( also couldn’t understand, i.e, hear clearly, his lyrics). I couldn’t characterize his music genre either. To my ears, somehow manged to combine both _bland_ and _annoying_. But I readily acknowledge, I’m not in the target demographics. If someone likes him, it’s okay with me. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/4 "2021-02-08T17:43:51Z")
Editorial correction: his performing name is spelled “The Weeknd”, i.e. the last “e” is omitted. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/5 "2021-02-08T17:43:56Z")
I glanced for about 3 minutes before tuning out - I **think** the head thing looked worse because they were also wearing masks - but I won’t swear to it. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/6 "2021-02-08T17:47:24Z")
I’ve heard of him (46 year old dude here), but really only knew one song of his upon hearing it ([“Can’t Feel My Face”](https://youtu.be/KEI4qSrkPAs)). What struck me was how one dimensional it was. Normally, there are multiple artists on stage, meant to appeal, presumably, to multiple generations and whatnot (Aerosmith w/NSync; Shania Twain w/No Doubt & Sting; Jessica Simpson, Kid Rock, Justin Timberlake & Janet Jackson; Bruno Mars w/Red Hot Chili Peppers; Katy Perry w/Lenny Kravitz & Missy Elliot; etc). This year’s show had a very narrow and specific appeal, with not much room for cross-generational appeal (like Paul McCartney or The Who). Also, incidentally, the artist’s name is The Weeknd, not The Weekend. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/7 "2021-02-08T17:50:05Z")
I thought it was fantastic. Visually really fun. Unfortunately as per other SB performances the sound mixing was terrible. I do love The Weeknd so enjoyed the “Best hits” sort of thing, but I wish he just played full through a handful of his hits (Starboy, Blinding Lights, The Hills, I Feel it Coming, Can’t Feel My Face) because I always thing full songs are better than just choruses. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/8 "2021-02-08T17:51:18Z")
Hell, maybe I was helping him out by buying him a vowel. Do his friends call him Wknd? This [report from Fox](https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/super-bowl-the-weeknd-dancers-face-bandages) has some supposed explanations for the bandages. Something about people manipulating themselves for superficial reasons… And I read elsewhere that he was continuing a persona from his album “After Hours.” ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/9 "2021-02-08T17:54:08Z")
I feel like there’s a natural nexus here that we shouldn’t consciously ignore 😉 > [@Etiquette when correcting a misspelling of your name](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etiquette-when-correcting-a-misspelling-of-your-name/932303): > > My first name is seemingly pretty common, but has a minor (and very unusual) change in the spelling that could be missed at a glance. My first name also has a common shorthand that obscures this variant. I’ll use the name Christopher as an example (not my real first name). Common name: Christopher My name: Christepher Shorthand: Chris This only really comes up in written communication, as the two names sound virtually identical when spoken. I’d guess at least a third of written communicatio… ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/10 "2021-02-08T17:57:24Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I’m eager to hear what demo he appealed to and why. So, The Weeknd has sold over 75million albums since he broke out in 2013. Which is about the same as Nirvana or Usher have sold, so it is not like he’s little known. And he has a couple Grammys, I think. He’s well known among younger folks (by that I mean under 40 😉 ). He obviously has MJ and Prince has big influences, but his pop is more moody and atmospheric. ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Sponge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dark_sponge/32/121_2.png) [@Dark\_Sponge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Sponge)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/11 "2021-02-08T17:57:56Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > …I had heard of “The Weekend” previously from when he performed on SNL, but I had no recollection of him. I expected him to be a rapper. His music was more appealing to me than most rap, but was pretty unmemorable. Impressed me as just generic dance music. Nothing about his voice/moves really impressed me… The Weeknd is known for being heavily influenced by 80’s music (both Pop & Rap) which is why you might not recognize the genre right away I’m a fan but I’ve noticed he’s not that great of a live performer. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/12 "2021-02-08T17:58:22Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > I thought it was fantastic. Visually really fun. Unfortunately as per other SB performances the sound mixing was terrible. I think at such events it would be easier just to play a pre-recorded version of the song, rather than trying to pick up the live audio. Mostly we’re watching and listening for the spectacle. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/13 "2021-02-08T18:12:58Z")
> [@Dark\_Sponge](#): > > The Weeknd is known for being heavily influenced by 80’s music (both Pop & Rap) which is why you might not recognize the genre right away > [@ISiddiqui](#): > > He obviously has MJ and Prince has big influences, but his pop is more moody and atmospheric. Amusing, as I was a HUGE fan of the Jacksons as a kid, MJ thru Thriller, and Prince. I remember a college DJ refusing my requests for J5 prior to Off the Wall came out. Owned Prince’s first 4 albums, saw him in concert in 79, and my band did a cover of When You Were Mine. If there is a comparison to be made between The Weeknd and Prince, I sure don’t see it. Or MJ for that matter. But, he has apparently sold a ton of albums. Good for him - and his fans. If I put the time into listening to his music, do you think I would find the hooks, musicianship, and vocal ability of Prince/MJ? He sure didn’t impress me as having either of their moves/stage presence. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/14 "2021-02-08T18:19:28Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > If I put the time into listening to his music, do you think I would find the hooks, musicianship, and vocal ability of Prince/MJ? He sure didn’t impress me as having either of their moves/stage presence. Vocally he does get compared to MJ a lot. However, his pop is different. His musicianship is fantastic. Listen to some of his big hits to see if it grabs (Can’t Feel My Face, Starboy, I Feel it Coming are good starting places to try). ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/15 "2021-02-08T18:26:16Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I think at such events it would be easier just to play a pre-recorded version of the song, rather than trying to pick up the live audio. I thought that recently that was the standard procedure for Super Bowl half-time shows, something the Red Hot Chili Peppers made fun of during their guest spot in Bruno Mars’ show. They were throwing their instruments in the air, making it obvious the guitars weren’t plugged in or being played live. Only the vocals are live.The reason given was that there is such a limited time to set up the stage and tear it down that you want to minimize the number of potential problems. As for the missing ‘e’, the misspelling is to avoid a conflict with a local band that already had the name. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/16 "2021-02-08T18:26:39Z")
I’ll give them a listen. I vaguely recall being underwhelmed by his SNL performance. Like I said, I prefer his music to nearly all rap, but just thought it awfully forgettable. Through the decades, there have always been a bunch of mediocre talents who sold a ton of records. I just assumed he was one of today’s. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/17 "2021-02-08T18:28:38Z")
Nice shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/18 "2021-02-08T18:39:30Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > Unfortunately as per other SB performances the sound mixing was terrible. Very true. I think people must not care. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/19 "2021-02-08T18:40:18Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Also, incidentally, the artist’s name is The Weeknd, not The Weekend. I hear that he’s pretty popular. I bet he wouldn’t be if his name was, “Workwk”. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460/20 "2021-02-08T19:09:25Z")
I’d heard the name before but assumed it was a band and didn’t know any of his songs were his. I’m in my late 30s as is my wife, she at least knew more of his songs if she didn’t know who sang them. I just assumed the masks to were to try and make covid masks look cool. Overall I found his music bland but better than many recent proformers. His lyrics were hard to understand and my wife kept thinking it was because he was really far away from his microphone. Still this was way better than the guys in their 60s trying to remember how to play their instruments that was the trend for so long. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-halftime-discussion/932460.md?page=2)