Usher's Super Bowl Half-Time show: Look back at his iconic performance
With special guests Alicia Keys, HER, will. i. am., Ludacris and Lil Jon
Last updated 12th Feb 2024
Excitement was at an all-time high when it was revealed that R&B legend Usher would be headlining the 2024 Super Bowl half-time show, which took place on Sunday 11th February. Following months of rumours, it was confirmed back in September 2023 that the 'Confessions' icon would be taking to the stage during the world-renowned Half-Time show - and it's fair to say he didn't disappoint.
After Rihanna's incredible 2023 show, we wouldn't blame you for expecting BIG things from Usher - and with the help of special guests such as Alicia Keys, will. i. am., Ludacris, HER, and Lil Jon, he certainly brought us a show to remember. Watch back the singer's incredible show below, as well as everything you need to know about the night.
WATCH: Usher's Super Bowl Half-Time performance 2024:
You can watch the incredible performance from Usher on NFL's official YouTube channel - RIGHT HERE.
What was the set-list?
Usher performed a total of 13 songs during his headline set, including tracks with appearances from Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R., will.i.am, Lil Jon and Ludacris.
Check out the full set-list below:
1) 'Caught Up'
2) 'U Don't Have to Call'
3) 'Superstar' (snippet)
4) 'Love in This Club'
5) 'If I Ain't Got You' / 'My Boo' (with Alicia Keys)
6) Confessions Part II (with Jermaine Dupri)
7) 'Nice & Slow' (snippet)
8) 'Burn'
9) 'U Got It Bad' (with H.E.R.)
10) 'Bad Girl'
11) 'OMG' (with will.i.am)
12) 'Turn Down for What' - DJ Snake & Lil Jon cover (with Lil Jon)
13) 'Yeah!' (with Ludacris and Lil Jon)
How did Usher announce his 2024 Super Bowl Half-Time show?
Usher announced that he would be headlining the Super Bowl Half-Time show 2024 in a pretty iconic way, sharing multiple videos on social media that showed various famous faces revealing the news to Usher's younger self.
Not only was it his younger self, but it was actually clips from the star's 2004 music video for 'Confessions Part II'. Announcement videos were shared featuring Kim Kardashian, as well as American footballers Deion Sanders, Marshawn Lynch and Odell Beckham Jr (OBJ). The final clip featured Usher revealing the news to himself.
What did Usher say about performing at the Super Bowl?
Elated with the announcement back in September 2023, Usher gushed: "It is happening! It has happened!", continuing: "We made it!", before revealing how relieved he was that the news was finally out. Admitting that only a small, close-knit group knew about the news, he revealed that he even had to keep it from his kids!
Dubbing the Super Bowl Half-Time show the "most grand stage to ever play on", Usher enthused: "It's an honour of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list. I can't wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they've seen from me before.
"Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen. I'll see you real soon."
In early 2024 he shared another teaser for what's in store, titled: USHER: 30 years in the making. The video comes as Usher appeared on a cover interview with Vogue magazine telling the publication that: "This night was specifically curated in my mind to have R&B take the main stage."
He went on to reveal that it would also have: "Not just R&B music, but R&B performance, R&B connection, R&B spirit."
Usher is also said to have been inspired by some late famous icons such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and Prince, when working on his performance.
Teasing what fans can expect, Usher said: “What I did is I was very mindful of my past, celebrating my present, which is here in Las Vegas, and thinking about where we’re heading in the future, that was really the idea. What songs do I feel people know me for, what songs have been a celebration of the journey of what life and love and emotion has been offered in my music, that was the idea.
“I thought about a few moments that were special in dance, I thought some things I created here in Las Vegas, like skating, and doing things that I’ve not done on stage up until this point, to be able to share that with the world.
"For everybody that heard about my show in Las Vegas, you’re not going to get a chance to see some of what I did here but you’re going to see the best of it because it’s in front of 60,000 people in this room and hopefully another 180 million people for the world to see.”
How long was the Half-Time show?
The Half-Time performance ran for 13 minutes. The show has typically run between 12 to 15 minutes in the past.
Speaking to Billboard prior to his performance, Usher revealed that his set would last up to 15 minutes, which would be longer than any other Half-Time performer. He said: "It's 12 to 15 minutes. So it's really hard to determine what moment matters more than others, especially with a new song.
"But there's the dance, the wardrobe, the lighting, how long you stay in a song, the fact that the audience may sing along. It's a lot. So I'm trying my hardest not to overthink it."
As for the actual American football game, this lasted for a total of 60 minutes (as is the case in professional and college play) - divided into two halves of 30 minutes and four quarters of 15 minutes.
When was the 2024 Super Bowl?
The Super Bowl LVIII took place on Sunday 11th February 2024, serving as the 58th Super Bowl.
Kick-off time was 15:30 PST - which was 23:30 in the UK.
Which teams played in the 2024 Super Bowl?
The San Francisco 49ers took on the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFLS's annual championship game.
Who won?
The Super Bowl 2024 was won by the Kansas City Chiefs!
As many fans will know, Taylor Swift's boyfriend Travis Kelce plays for the team, with the singer supporting him from the sidelines with her BFFs Blake Lively, Lana Del Rey and Ice Spice. Taylor and Travis then shared a sweet celebratory moment following the Chief's win.
Where did it take place?
The game, and therefore Half-Time show, took place at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The game marked the third year in a row that the Super Bowl had been played in the Western United States.
Could you watch it in the UK?
In the US, Super Bowl LVIII was televised by CBS and streamed on Paramount+. For the first time ever, there was a 'youth-oriented alternate broadcast' on sister network Nickelodeon.
As for watching the game, and Usher's Half-Time show, in the UK - there were multiple options - including the game being televised in the UK and Ireland on ITV, as well as on Sky Sports and Sky Showcase.
Who performed in 2023?
The 2023 Super Bowl Half-Time show, on 12th February 2023, was headlined by Rihanna, who wowed fans with an incredible set which featured hits including 'Diamonds', 'Umbrella' and 'Rude Boy.' The 35-year-old took to the stage for the first time in seven years, where she revealed she was expecting her second child. Rihanna later welcomed her baby boy Riot Rose Mayers in August 2023.
Rihanna's show followed hip hop royalty taking to the stage for the Super Bowl Half-Time show in 2022 - with a star studded line-up of Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Dr Dre, Mary J Blige, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent.
Previous performers include the likes of J-Lo, Shakira, The Weeknd and Lady Gaga, as well as other legendary names such as Prince, Madonna, Britney Spears and Beyoncé - as well as some of the most iconic names in hip-hop royalty.
Check out which other artists were rumoured to perform at the Half-Time show:
Miley Cyrus
Topping the rumoured list is none other than 'Flowers' superstar Miley Cyrus. With odds at 8/11, that lands Miley at a 57.9% probability of performing at the honourable event. Fans have shared their desire for Miley Cyrus to perform at the Half-Time show over the years, with a petition even circulating to get the 'Flowers' singer to perform at the 2023 show. Rumours that Miley might perform in 2024 did do the rounds, with the Pop Tingz account sharing: 'Miley Cyrus is rumoured to be in talks to perform at the upcoming SuperBowl halftime show.'
In 2021, Miley was involved in the TikTok Tailgate Super Bowl event. She tweeted: 'SUPERBOWL LV!! I'll be there for TIKTOK TAILGATE!!! I can't wait to put on a show for the NFL's honored guests before the game...Health care workers from Tampa and around the country!' (sic)
Taylor Swift
Many fans hoped that Taylor Swift could perform at the Super Bowl Half-Time show. TMZ reported that the 'Anti-Hero' hitmaker was offered the chance to perform at the sports event last year, but turned it down - although fans were ecstatic to see her at the game supporting her boyfriend, Chiefs player Travis Kelce. For the 2025 show, Taylor finds herself with even odds, with 50% probability of her landing the slot.
Despite this, according to a source, Taylor has no plans to perform at the Super Bowl until she has finished re-recording her first six albums following a rights dispute. It was then reported in August 2023 that although Taylor has reportedly been reached out to "a handful of times" by the prestigious event, she is in "no rush". A source close to her said that on top of re-recording her albums: "Taylor is busy with her current tour, she has zero time to prepare a Super Bowl show, she will do it eventually, but she is in no rush at all to do it in Vegas or do it in the next couple of years."
Lil Wayne
With a reported 33.3% probability of performing the Superbowl Half-Time Show 2025 is Lil Wayne - who, as of July 2024, had odds of 2/1. With numerous X users expressing their desire to see the 'How To Love' rapper take the slot, it's fair to say he has a large catalogue of hit songs to wow the crowds at the upcoming game.
Billie Eilish
From her groundbreaking debut album, which spawned hits like 'Bad Guy' and 'Bury A Friend', to her Number 1 second AND third albums 'Happier Than Ever' and 'Hit Me Hard and Soft', it comes as no surprise that Billie Eilish also joins the running when it comes to speculation over the Superbowl Half-Time Show performer for 2025. With odds of 3/1, this reportedly gives her a 25% probability of performing the show.
Ed Sheeran
With 14 Number 1 singles in the UK alone under his belt, we wouldn't blame you for thinking that the almighty Ed Sheeran would be a top contender for the famous Super Bowl Half-Time show. Although this would be epic, the 'Shape Of You' singer spoke out in August 2023, saying he 'can't' and won't be doing the show, claiming: "I think it's an American thing. I don't have pizazz."
Could he change his mind for 2025? With odds of 6/1, making his probability 14.3%, we reckon never say never! Check out what else he had to say about the idea here!
Ariana Grande
Could the incredible Ariana Grande perform next year? Many fans have already shared their hopes for the singer to perform at the iconic sporting event, with her odds landing on 7/1 - giving her 12.5% probability.
As we all know, Ari is currently busy with commitments for the Wicked movie, where she plays the role of Glinda - although 2024 did mark her epic return to music. On top of her brand new music, and a busy schedule in the lead-up to the film's release, the singer has teased a 'mini little sampling of shows' to serve as an 'Eternal Sunshine' tour - which, some could say, would warm her up nicely for the Superbowl Half-Time Show 2025!
Adele
In what would most certainly be a show to remember, 'Hello' megastar Adele has also found herself in the list of rumoured contenders. With viral clips circulating of her epic Weekends with Adele residency in Las Vegas, it comes as no surprise that fans are keen to see her perform during the Half-Time show - with odds of 8/1, as of July 2024, and a 11.1% probability.
Harry Styles
Rumours that former One Direction singer Harry Styles could be performing at the Super Bowl Half-Time show began to circulate on Twitter in June 2023, much to the delight of fans. Independent American football news account _MLFootball were the first to share the rumour. The account wrote: 'There's been a lot of chatter that multiple-time GRAMMY award winner and former One Direction star Harry Styles will be the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show Performer.'
Despite this, Harry ultimately did not perform at the show last year - so, could he be eyeing up the 2025 show?
Lil Nas X
Could Lil Nas X perform at the next Half-Time show? Talk on the matter began a while back, when the 25-year-old rapper and singer appeared in a Doritos commercial during the 2020 Super Bowl.
Sharing their thoughts on Twitter, one fan said: 'I just know that one day Lil Nas X will perform at the Superbowl Half Time show and that it will be one of the best half time show performances in history. MARK MY WORDS.' (sic)
Fuelling fans' desires, in 2019 Lil Nas X tweeted: 'OLD TOWN ROAD SUPER BOWL 2020!' - so could next year be his time to shine?
Sam Smith
Before the 2024 Super Bowl, Sam Smith fans took to Twitter to express their desire for the 'Unholy' hitmaker to perform.
One excited fan said: 'SAM SMITH for Super Bowl 2024', whilst someone else added: 'I have a feeling Sam Smith will be next years Super Bowl halftime show.' (sic)
Sam has previously taken to Twitter to share their excitement over the Half-Time show performers. In 2013, they said: 'Physically holding my eye-lids open whilst watching the Superbowl. I will NOT miss Beyoncé!!' (sic)
Doja Cat
Having previously appeared in Super Bowl commercials, Doja Cat would be the perfect Half-Time performer! Fans have been very vocal in suggesting she would be the ideal choice. One person took to Twitter and said: 'DOJA CAT FOR THE SUPER BOWL 2024.' (sic)
Although she didn't bag the spot for the 2024 show, many fans have their fingers crossed for next year.
Coldplay
Coldplay performed at the Super Bowl Half-Time show in 2016, with Beyoncé and Bruno Mars joining the band as special guests. Although the NFL doesn't usually bring back past performers, artists such as Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and Beyoncé have performed more than once.
So could Coldplay perform at the Super Bowl again? It's fair to say the band have been wowing audiences on their 'Music of the Spheres' tour, as they deliver spectacular concerts full of special effects and incredible Xyloband displays - the perfect interlude during a football game!
Now read:
Harry Styles rumoured to perform at 2024 Super Bowl Half-Time show
Rihanna's Super Bowl Half-Time show: Look back at her show-stopping performance
Rihanna announces she's PREGNANT during Super Bowl Half-Time show