by Monica A.
Super Bowl weekend is not far from our hearts here in 2019. Between the defensive struggle and the amazing commercials, the typical aspects did not disappoint. However, some major controversy surrounds what is normally the most exciting portion; the halftime show. So let’s talk about the handful of issues people are noting from this Maroon 5 show.
The first issue that most people noted happened prior to the beginning of the Super Bowl. Most artists had chosen not to perform even when they were invited because of the maltreatment of Colin Kaepernick. This lead many in the music industry to be vocal about their disappointment in Maroon 5's acceptance the halftime performance.
The second of the controversies was the fact that Maroon 5’s lead man, Adam Levine, found it socially acceptable to remove his shirt during the halftime show. Many attempted to relate his incident to that of Janet Jackson's during her cameo in Justin Timberlake's halftime show.
The third issue was simply that it felt to generic. Even those who have attended Maroon 5 concerts noted that, for halftime show, and even for a Maroon 5 performance, it was extremely subdued. Typically with a half time show there is energy nearly double what the artist typically performs in a stadium tour or the other regular performances.
My opinion on all of the controversies will follow in order. There was going to be some artist somewhere accepted to perform at the Super Bowl eventually. No matter who that person would have been, they would have been the scapegoat for the media. There is never going to be a time where the Super Bowl does not have a halftime performance. So Maroon 5, while not necessarily being the most courteous about the situation, also did not make the worst choice possible. In relation to Janet Jackson's Super Bowl performance, I find it highly irrelevant that Levine chose to take his shirt off. Even prior to Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction, Adam Levine was taking his shirt off during Maroon 5 concerts worldwide. As for those who suggest that because Janet Jackson had a wardrobe malfunction, she was shunned from the music community; this would be highly uneducated and uninformed rhetoric. Janet chose to step away from spotlight. In doing so, she returned with sub-par music after her break. I would have to agree with most public statements that this Maroon 5 concert seemed bland and uneventful. Even with the introduction of his guest stars, all of which seem choppy and not well planned, it just didn't scream Super Bowl performance.Then again it is hard to top Gaga and Queen Bey, but we can talk about that in the comments down below.