Singer The Weeknd has special challenges ahead of the halftime show for Super Bowl LV between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday. Due to coronavirus precautions, he performed solo and fans could not surround him on the field, as has happened in previous matches. Therefore, he has some tricks and special effects of his own for a performance that some fans enjoyed and others confused.
One of the singer’s biggest hits is Blinding Lights, and he did indeed perform under some burning, blinding lights on a set that looked like a carnival hall of mirrors.
“The Weeknd looks like it’s haunting a haunted house alive,” tweeted author Kristin Chirico.
The singer has been wearing bandages and fake blood as part of an established character, but for the play he did not go along with any of the props. His performance did wrap a field full of dancers with faces wrapped in bandages almost like mummies, and otherwise dressed like The Weeknd in black pants and red jackets.
Mummy mania
The banded dancers provided mixed reviews. “I will admit that the Super Bowl halftime show with The Weeknd was pretty colorful and bright,” one Twitter user wrote. “With dancing mummies and less of a striptease party dance program like last year.”
But another one wrote, “Ugh. No! The mummy men were so dumb.”
Little dancers
Some people have compared The Weeknd’s dancers to other famous faces, including Star Wars characters and Star Lord of Guardians of the Galaxy.
I quite dig the helmets @theweeknd‘s choir was at the beginning of the # SuperBowl rest time display. Looked like a bunch of Ultrons
– James LaCombe (@JamesAtGalvNews) 8 February 2021
Striking angles
Others commented on the swirling angles and striking sets through which the musician wound himself. A piece of the performance that The Weeknd almost seems lost in its own set has sparked many jokes.
“I’m trying to follow the hostess to my table at the Cheesecake Factory,” joked a Twitter user.
And another one hit a game comparison and wrote, “The Weeknd makes an impression on the Chiefs, slightly lost and confused.”
it’s 7 years old, i look for my mom in the supermarket every time i get lost
– Mrs Nugget (@msnugget__) 8 February 2021
I wonder where I can go without viruses !!!
– Susan (@sueyangel) 8 February 2021
Can you hear me now?
The sound seems to be an important part of any million dollar music performance, but many viewers have said they have trouble hearing the singer.
NBC anchor Maria Shriver tweeted: “I can not hear The Weeknd either and my volume is higher.”
Another tweet read: “The Weeknd decided to deliver the best performance he has ever given and the Super Bowl sound team was like ‘What if we make it so no one can hear him?’
The Weeknd decided to give the best performance he’s ever given, and the Super Bowl sound team was like ‘What if we make it so no one can hear him?’
– SPORTbible (@sportbible) 8 February 2021
The NFL has the full performance to his YouTube channel immediately after it airs, so viewers can watch and rate for themselves.
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