Published On:Monday, February 3, 2014
Posted by Zainab Amin
Super Bowl halftime show star Bruno Mars brings old-school showmanship to dynamic performance
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During Bruno Mars' 12-minute display — complete with a seamless cameo by The Red Hot Chili Peppers — the 28-year-old singer touched on bouncy '60s Motown, fun '70s disco funk, slick '80s pop and a hint of modern hip-hop-flash.
He may not have the figure of Beyoncé or the buzz of Madonna. But this year's half time star —Bruno Mars — brought dynamism and an old-fashioned sense of showmanship to his Super Bowl blow-out.
Opening with his smash "Locked Out of Heaven," the pompadour'd star whipped through a tight and brisk run of four hits. His sole guest stars — The Red Hot Chili Peppers — seamlessly slipped their percussive song "Give It Away" into the headliner's "Runaway Baby."
During his 12-minute performance, Bruno Mars whipped through four of his hits, including 'Runaway Baby.'
Mars' 12-minute display exuded a friendliness and ease so winning, it made the edginess or cool of some past Super Bowl stars irrelevant. More, the performance wore its sources well, doubling as a history lesson in song. The songs Mars offered represented a virtual pop nexus of the last 40 years, touching on bouncy '60s Motown, fun '70s disco funk, slick '80s pop and a hint of modern hip-hop-flash. At one point, he referenced James Brown's fast-footed dance moves.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers made a cameo at the Super Bowl halftime show, upping the athleticism.
Even Mars’ wardrobe echoed the past. His gold glitter suit could have been worn by Elvis, with its skinny labels borrowed from later '60s Mods. By outfitting the whole band with similarly spangled suits, and putting them through similar dance steps, he referenced acts from The Temptations to the Four Tops.
Anthony Kiedis, Flea and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers talk about their halftime performance with Bruno Mars at the Super Bowl.
Bruno Mars and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers during the Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show Sunday.
The Peppers' cameo upped the athleticism of the display, as did their wardrobe — or lack thereof. Even 30-degree temperatures couldn't encourage singer Anthony Kiedis or bassist Flea to put on some shirts.
As men in their 50s, the Peppers lent some gravitas to the event, though Mars' age represents an encouraging change from recent halftime shows. At 28, he's the youngest star to have this honor in 13 years.
Bruno Mars exuded friendliness and ease while performing Sunday.
For his finale, Mars downshifted into his hyper-romantic hit "Just the Way You Are," broken up by cameos from American troops offering shout-outs to loved ones from overseas.
The move underscored Mars' role as pop's nice-guy, a family-friendly entertainer enlivened by just the right amount of flash.
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