Vote for the combo of bands you’d like to play at Super Bowl XLV by commenting below:
1. Phoenix, Arcade Fire, Kings of Leon
2. Kings of Leon, Justin Beiber
3. Rihanna, Arcade Fire
4. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, M.I.A.
5. Best Coast, WAVVES (Hipster Runoff-sponsored)
6. MGMT, Yeasayer, Shakira
After reading an article online about options for Super Bowl XLV’s Halftime show, I struck up a conversation with a friend about the matter. As many as 89.9 million people tune into this show, an event which greatly affects album sales, digital downloads, and overall exposure. In the 44 year history of the Super Bowl, we’ve seen (or avoided seeing) some of the most famous acts to ever exist. Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, New Kids on the Block, Paul McCartney, The Who, U2, Boyz II Men, and even the Blues Brothers have graced the stage, yet we have never seen an indie act get the call.
It’s obviously no shock whatsoever that even the most famous indie bands aren’t in the running for the show, yet I have to ask if their time might be upon us. Never before has the indie scene been so mainstream. Acts like Arcade Fire, Phoenix, and Kings of Leon are selling out Madison Square Garden. Selling out the fucking Garden! It’s insane.
I can’t help but to feel a bit jealous of my parents. They grew up in a time when mainstream pop was The Beatles, the Stones, and The Who. Nowadays we’re incredibly lucky to have class acts like Chris Brown, JBeib, and Eminem (still?) filling the airwaves. The blogosphere is a bit more fortunate as, for the most part, we’re exposed to extremely talented, instrument-playing musicians. Will the blogosphere ever be influencial enough to affect the Super Bowl committee’s decision for a half time act?
Doubtful, but possible! Maybe Pitchfork can sponsor the Halftime show next year once they’re making billions. If that doesn’t happen, we’ll have to wait until the member of Arcade Fire and Phoenix are in their 60s (or 70s). When it comes to next year’s Super Bowl Halftime show, it has yet to be announced (and won’t be for quite some time). It’s my guess that the only way we’ll find one of our beloved indie acts on the 50 yard line is if there is some sort of collaboration. Kings of Arcade Phoenix would indeed be awesome, no? We’re still likely to see Justin Beiber get on stage before any of those bands. Below are future press photos of Phoenix, Kings of Leon, and Arcade Fire for their slated Halftime show at Super Bowl LXX.
—-> Images below created using AgingBooth iPhone app <—–
