Since we are less that 5 days away from the Superbowl I thought I would start a thread about this year's Halftime show which has Bruno Mars headlining the show and special guests Red Hot Chili Peppers joining him!

Its no secret here that I'm a big Bruno Mars fan and that I'm beyond thrilled that he was chosen to headline this year's halftime show, but this thread is open to all, both fans and non-fans and neutral folks. I know not everyone is happy about Bruno being chosen as the main act and I can deal with it. But I knew there would be a thread about the halftime show eventually so I just thought I'd start it off now since we're just a few days away from the big day!

So to recap:

[Edited 1/30/14 9:42am]

[Edited 2/1/14 20:41pm]

[Edited 2/2/14 12:48pm]

[Edited 2/2/14 20:34pm]

29 January 2014

When it was announced that Bruno Mars was going to be the 2014 Super Bowl half-time show, it went without saying that it was going to be an energy packed performance – but not without a little help from his friends.

Mars confirmed the Super Bowl collaboration with Red Hot Chili Peppers on Instagram recently with an advertisement featuring the two and the hashtag #halftime.

This week it's been revealed that the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be joining Mars on stage for a special tribute to rockers Led Zeppelin.

“We’re going to be playing Led Zeppelin’s live version of Dazed and Confused” Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith reportedly confirmed in a recent interview, also reflecting on the surprise the band experienced upon being asked to perform with Mars.

Are you surprised at Mars’ choice of Super Bowl half-time show collaboration? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter!

The Super Bowl takes place this Sunday, February 2nd 2014.

http://www.take40.com/news/44582/bruno-mars-and-red-hot-chili-peppers-to-pay-tribute-to-led-zeppelin-at-the-super-bowl

Bruno Mars To Preview Super Bowl At Press Conference

This year's Super Bowl halftime performer Bruno Mars is set to sit down with the media ahead of Sunday's big game.

The pop singer will be fielding questions from reporters from New York's Lincoln Center on Thursday, divulging more about the halftime show that will also feature the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

http://m.wiod.com/article...l-12014569

RIGHT OOOOOOOON KITTY!

So excited to see Bruno & The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, they're covering Led Zeppelin's Dazed and Confused (Live version) so that should be nice.

My prediction of the setlist:

Money Make Her Smile (Funk LA performance) (Incomporating JB's Get Up (Sex Machine) / Prince's SEXY MF)
Locked Out of Heaven
A couple of Gorilla parts (Due to its explicit content I don't think NFL will allow him to say the words "making love like gorillas"...)
Treasure
Runaway Baby
Californiacation
Higher Ground
Under The Bridge

[Edited 1/29/14 13:33pm]

Bruno and his band have arrived at the stadium!

Advertisers Rejoice! Super Bowl XLVIII Expected To Break TV Viewership Record

Shawy89 said:

RIGHT OOOOOOOON KITTY!

So excited to see Bruno & The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, they're covering Led Zeppelin's Dazed and Confused (Live version) so that should be nice.

My prediction of the setlist:

Money Make Her Smile (Funk LA performance) (Incomporating JB's Get Up (Sex Machine) / Prince's SEXY MF)
Locked Out of Heaven
A couple of Gorilla parts (Due to its explicit content I don't think NFL will allow him to say the words "making love like gorillas"...)
Treasure
Runaway Baby
Californiacation
Higher Ground
Under The Bridge

[Edited 1/29/14 13:33pm]

Niiiiiice setlist Shawy! That would make for a great performance and I agree abotu Gorilla, I definitely think he will be doing a much shorter and "cleaner" version of the song lol. I'm so looking forward to his press conference tomorrow and getting more details about the show!

more looking forward to Prince afterwards on "New Girl"and remembering his Superbowl performance

3rdeyedude said:

more looking forward to Prince afterwards on "New Girl"and remembering his Superbowl performance

Yes I am definitely looking forward to seeing Prince on New Girl after the SB! Prince AND Bruno Mars all in one night...its gonna be a GREAT night!

Bruno rehearsing Just The Way You Are

None of the Red Hot Chili Peppers Super Bowl Rumors Are True

Funk-rockers aren't playing Led Zeppelin, and "Abracadabralifornia" is very fake

Certain members of the media had a field day with Chad Smith's declaration that his Red Hot Chili Peppers would play "Led Zeppelin's live version" of "Dazed and Confused" at the Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show on Sunday, February 2. The statement was obviously in jest (that'd take up the entire time slot), but the drummer has nonetheless clarified as much in an interview with Los Angeles rock radio station KROQ.

"People in the media are so gullible sometimes," Smith said. "We will, however, be performing side one of Rush's 2112. [That was a joke, again.] Obviously I can't tell you what we're going to do, it would ruin the surprise. Come on, you gotta watch. It's gonna be great. Bruno Mars, we met them, his band are great people. Today I'm going to rehearse with them outside in the beautiful weather here in New Jersey, it'll be a real spectacle, I'm looking forward to it."

That's cleared up once and for all, but there's also a pitch-perfect (but super fake) Red Hot Chili Peppers spoof song going around dubbed "Abracadabralifornia," streaming and free to download at RHCP2014.com. The site includes a bunch of Super Bowl imagery, a Dodge Durango logo, a shot of Bruno Mars, and other elements that make it first-glance passable. But then there's the bridge: "She jammed my butt with a big stuck, and then preceded to be suckin' my dick."

Yeah.

http://www.spin.com/artic...new-song/

i am curious to see how he will add the Chili Peppers. I think they obviously will play a mash of one or two of their hits. But which ones? my guess is on Give It Away, Dani California, Under The Bridge, Califronication, or otherside.

I could give a damn about the superbowl, just watching cause of the music.

Chad Smith on Chili Peppers Super Bowl Gig, New Album, 'Mother's Milk' Anniversary

By Gary Graff, Detroit | January 29, 2014 5:38 PM EST

No, they're not playing a Led Zeppelin song with Bruno Mars (they'll play an original)... Yes, the band is "gearing up to start writing" its 11th studio album

LIVE PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY AT 2PM EST

Bruno Mars To Preview Super Bowl At Press Conference

This year’s Super Bowl halftime performer Bruno Mars is set to sit down with the media ahead of Sunday’s big game.

The pop singer will be fielding questions from reporters from New York’s Lincoln Center on Thursday, divulging more about the halftime show that will also feature the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

+ live stream

EDIT

PRESS CONFERENCE IS OVER. BRUNO DID GREAT!

IF YOU MISSED IT YOU CAN WATCH IT HERE: http://new.livestream.com...nferences

[Edited 1/30/14 11:52am]

here's the conference on YouTube:

Michelle Williams was there

^Thanks Shawy! Bruno did an amazing job given that this was his very first press conference! He was his usual cool, charming and goofy self--LOVED IT!

Bruno Mars Teases Super Bowl Halftime Show: 'I Don't Trapeze'

The headliner noted that he's preparing for Sunday's Metlife Stadium gig with gallons of hairspray and "heaters on everything," and says the show won't be anything fancy: "I hope that's enough."

Bruno Mars is just days away from headlining the Super Bowl halftime show -- whether he's ready for it or not.

"I've never had to do a press conference before I perform, so it just got real, I guess!" he joked at a press conference at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater in New York City on Thursday.

When asked how he felt about accepting the invitation to headline the halftime show -- byMichelle Williams of Destiny's Child, reporting foromg! Insider, no less -- Mars told her, "We were all watching you as a band last year when you performed with Beyonce, and we wondering just like, what if one day we get the call to do that," he said, later noting that his favorite halftime acts to date also include Prince, Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen. "It definitely came soon."

Mars noted that he began rehearsing two nights ago, and was faced with the reality of the New Jersey/New York winter elements. "There was a lot of things that happened -- the microphone turns into a popsicle!" he explained. I'm grabbing the mic and it's frozen! Just stuff like that that were taking into consideration, and getting some heaters on everything." But how will he keep his signature hairdo intact? "I got three gallons of hairspray in this thing, so I'm good!"

While he won't be giving away any secrets about his set list -- "it's only a couple days away, they can hold tight," he told reporters -- Mars will stay true to his usual laid-back big-bandaesthetic. "No matter where I perform, it's my job to uplift the people -- whether I'm performing at a graduation party, wedding, bar mitzvah, Grammys, Super Bowl, I'm gonnagive it all I got," he said of the gig. "I don't trapeze and all that stuff. I hope to get people dancing and get people smiling. if you ever come to my shows, it's just us up there with these songs and our instruments. I hope that's enough." Yet, when asked if he'll be shouting out to his Hispanic roots, he responded, "You're gonna see that on Sunday."

Mars also explained how he chose his co-performers. "The first band I thought of was the Red Hot Chili Peppers -- I've been a fan of theirs for such a long time, I admire their career," he recalled when NFL presented him with the opportunity. "They're a soulful band -- and not just musically, but as people. I sat down with Flea, and he's so passionate about music. Even to this day, doing it for so long, he's still so passionate about creating music and performing. I want to surround myself with guys like that forever, and it's an honor to share the stage with them. They're one of my personal favorite bands of all time."

He thanked the NFL for the rare chance to headline the televised event. "I still feel like a new artist -- the NFL is such a prestigious stage, and they're giving the new guy a shot. No, I haven't been able to take it in, but I will. Come Sunday, I will."

Mars didn't disclose which football team he's hoping will win, but he spoke on his general team affiliations: "Being from Hawaii, we always watched the UH [University of Hawaii] Warriors, so that was our team growing up. And whoever's got the most Polynesians on their team, that's who we're rooting for."

While there was a grand piano onstage (Beyonce performed live at last year's press conference, following her national anthem lip sync controversy at the presidential inauguration), Mars didn't sing after his Q&A session.

The conference also introduced Renee Fleming, who will perform the national anthem with top military singers and the New Jersey Symphony, while wearing an outfit designed by Vera Wang. The opera singer and upstate New York native added, "I want to thank Rochester for preparing me for singing in the cold!"

Sunday's Super Bowl will also feature a performance by Queen Latifah. Football legendsPhil Simms and Broadway Joe Namath will be present for the game's coin toss.

http://www.hollywoodrepor...ime-675750

The Other Super Bowl Underdog

Bruno Mars Says He’s Ready for His Big Stage

By John Jurgensen

The Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks won 30 games combined to earn their slots in Super Bowl XLVIII. Less obvious to sports fans is how young pop singer Bruno Mars scored his berth as the headliner of Sunday’s halftime show, following in the footsteps of legends such as Prince and the Who.

The NFL’s decision to book the 28-year-old star, a relative newcomer with two albums under his belt, for the biggest music gig of the year raised some eyebrows—and sparked more than a few derisive comments on social media—especially among loud partisans of Jersey natives Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen.

“There’s this perception, it is what it is, that we settled for Bruno Mars. Nothing could be further from the truth,” says Mark Quenzel, the NFL Network’s senior vice president of production and programming. Mr. Mars was the league’s first choice, he says, to anchor a 12-minute show that will be watched by an estimated 100 million people: “He doesn’t have the profile of the Rolling Stones ['06] or Paul McCartney ['05]. That said, you’d be hard pressed to find a contemporary artist who is hotter.”

Mr. Mars, who is also a producer and songwriter, recently bested Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake to become Billboard’s 2013 artist of the year, a ranking that includes music sales, chart performance and concert grosses. Last Sunday he won his second Grammy award (best pop vocal album for his “Unorthodox Jukebox”). His music, including the hits “Locked Out of Heaven” and “Grenade,” has a glossy Top 40 surface, yet it shares bone structure with classic R&B, reggae and rock. That sound, along with a taut stage show, has helped him earn fans old enough to be the parents or grandparents of his youngest admirers.

“I feel like I’m still a new artist,” Mr. Mars said at a news conference Thursday. “I’m honored that they’d give the new guy a shot.”

When it was announced three weeks ago that the veteran Red Hot Chili Peppers would join Mr. Mars on stage, it appeared that organizers were hedging their bet. However, there’s a history of halftime headliners sharing the stage. And Chili Peppers manager Peter Mensch says the band’s invitation came from Mr. Mars (not the NFL) within one week of his being announced as headliner.

Before accepting, the band debated how it would look to support a younger artist and whether the gig would reduce their odds of headlining a future halftime show themselves. Despite being one of the most connected managers in the industry, Mr. Mensch had little knowledge of how halftime headliners got chosen, joking about “a coven of hooded people in a dark room in NFL headquarters on Park Avenue.”

In the past, Super Bowl acts were recruited by third party producers such as MTV. But after Janet Jackson flashed a breast in 2004, the NFL brought the process in-house. Talent is now picked by the league’s media group, led by executive Vice President Steve Bornstein, with Commissioner Roger Goodell signing off. For Super Bowl XLVIII, a small search committee started discussing candidates last spring, in consultation with Fox and halftime sponsor Pepsi. As the talent pool narrowed, NFL representatives attended concerts and called in research on the acts’ standing in both traditional and social media.

Also key: assessing the musicians’ behavior on and offstage to make sure only “solid citizens” represent the NFL, Mr. Quenzel says. Two years ago, singer M.I.A. raised a middle finger during Madonna’s show, an incident that shaped certain clauses in the current contract for performers. “If you don’t do what you did in rehearsal and it offends certain people, there will be significant legal ramifications,” Mr. Quenzel says.

He declined to name other acts in the running before Mr. Mars got the offer, though he acknowledged that Bon Jovi was “heavily considered.” (Mr. Springsteen played the Super Bowl in 2009.) Like a performer’s age, gender or genre, he says, their connection to the Super Bowl’s location isn’t part of the selection criteria. Indeed, Bruno Mars hails from Hawaii.

http://stream.wsj.com/sto...-2-441847/

Will Bruno Mars 'wow' with Super Bowl halftime show?

Why this year’s halftime show will be first of its kind

By Kirsten Fleming

January 30, 2014 | 4:48pm

Super Bowl attendees will get a wool hat with a built in LED screen in their warming packages, to collectively create the largest LED screen ever during Bruno Mars' Halftime Show.

When Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers take the field at MetLife Stadium on Sunday for the hotly anticipated Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show, organizers urge the crowd to stay in their seats and use their heads — literally.

“We are essentially creating the largest ever LED screen in the stadium,” said Ricky Kirshner, whose New York-based company Touchdown Entertainment tackles the halftime bonanza from staging, lighting, sound production and also televising.

“Everyone will get a wool hat with a built in LED screen in their warming package under their seat cushion. We’re asking for audience participation. People, please don’t leave your seat.”

The technologically advanced fashion will result in 800,000 pixels, turning the stadium into one of the biggest LED screens ever made.

“It will take up the entire stadium. It’s the first time we’ve done anything like this. If you were to look at the Grammys where there’s a backdrop, this extends that backdrop to the entire stadium,” said Kirshner, whose company has produced the last seven Super Bowl halftime spectaculars.

The concert’s logistics, which have been in gestation since September, have very little room for error.

From the time the Seahawks and Broncos hit the locker room, Kirshner’s crew has eight minutes to set up for an action-packed 12-minute musical extravaganza. After the last note is played, there’s seven minutes on the clock to dismantle the stage and get the field ready for the third quarter.

The concert — including performers, volunteers and crews — will require about 3,000 people to carry out.

With an open air stadium, Kirshner said there are many tweaks that need to be made as opposed to putting on a show of this proportion in a dome.

“There aren’t the rigging points. But on the positive side, we can produce a much more exciting pyrotechnic show,” he said, adding that every stadium has its challenges.

“No one builds a stadium for us to do a halftime show. It’s very annoying. It would be much easier if they would ask us what we need,” he joked.

Though the cold weather and storm potential has been a source of panic for the fans and a constant story line for the media, Kirshner isn’t logging into the Weather Channel every five minutes.

After all, his first was Super Bowl XLI in Miami, where Prince performed in the pouring rain.

“Everyone said, ‘It has never rained at a Super Bowl, don’t worry about it.’ And then of course it poured that day. I don’t believe in watching the forecast anymore. We do many outdoor events. It always seems that if you watch the weather report you will drive yourself crazy, so you just have to do your show and be prepared,” said Kirshner, who promised the same show rain or shine.

Along with the Meadowlands’ blistering cold and whipping winds, the show will also feature local talent.

Producers have enlisted some lucky New Jersey school marching bands from South Brunswick High School, Nutley, Bergenfield, Morris Knolls and Roxbury.

“They won’t be used as traditional marching bands,” Kirshner said. “They are part of the light show. Our team that works with marching bands works with the Olympics and they’re used to recruiting those kids. It’s a whole operation just dealing with 500 marching bands kids. You have to feed them, bus them, move them, get them into rehearsals.”

Kirshner, who was raised in New Jersey and lives in Manhattan, said it’s great to be on his home turf, but he concedes there’s not much time for fun and games, regardless of the location.

“I think we’re so focused on what we do. It’s not glamorous,” Kirshner said. “We never get out to the parties, so it’s not like we experience the Super Bowl feeling all week.”

Beyond the bones of the show, Kirshner, who spent last week in Los Angeles rehearsing, is mostly mum, dropping one hint. “It’s probably more rock music than we’ve had in the past.”

http://nypost.com/2014/01...-its-kind/

[Edited 1/31/14 10:05am]

We are essentially creating the largest ever LED screen in the stadium. Everyone will get a wool hat with a built in LED screen in their warming package under their seat cushion. The technologically advanced fashion will result in 800,000 pixels, turning the stadium into one of the biggest LED screens ever made. It will take up the entire stadium.

See video clip of rehearsal with some of the lighting here! http://itsyourboybruno.tu...t-ever-led

Istagram post by Philip Lawrence (backup singer):

_philies: "It’s gonna be big."

[Edited 1/31/14 10:25am]

Rosen: Bruno Mars Is No Super Bowl Underdog

• By Jody Rosen

http://www.vulture.com/20...erdog.html

Who's Looking Forward to Bruno Mars' Super Bowl Halftime Show? (Spoiler Alert: Moms!)

Networked Insights Parses Social Buzz Around Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers

When it comes to Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show, will you stay or will you go (to another channel, to the bathroom, on a beer run, etc.)? Ad Age worked with Networked Insights, a marketing-technology company that advises brands on audience targeting and content strategy, to track social-media sentiment surrounding headliner Bruno Mars and guest band the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Scroll down below the graphic for some notes.

Bruno Mars’ Super Bowl Hair will be ‘Shiny, Big & Angular,’ says Hairstylist Jason Schneidman

By Gregory DelliCarpini Jr. | January 31, 2014 4:07 PM EST

Bruno Mars always makes a statement with his hair. Buzzed, styled or au naturel, “Gorilla” singer knows how to whip his hair back and forth. Bruno’s noteworthy ‘dos are largely influenced by celebrity hairstylist Jason Schneidman. Jason, also known as “The Men’s Groomer,” met Bruno years ago thanks to a friend’s recommendation. “Bruno is such a rock star,” Jason says. “I felt honored to have been introduced to him.”

Bruno Mars Talks Halftime: 'It's My Job To Uplft the People'

Bruno, Billboard's top artist of 2013, will be taking his pompadour to the stage at the 2014 NFL Super Bowl halftime show this Sunday (Feb. 2). But what can we expect to see when Mars hits the field as a break from the Seattle Seahawks playing the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey? We will certainly be in for a stellar performance packed with soul.

Bruno Mars: Billboard Art...over Story

As for his hair: “We are going for a strong rock star look,” Jason explains. “His performance will certainly be unbelievable and I want his hair to speak to that.” So what does that mean, you wonder? “Shiny, movement, big and angular is what you can expect to see,” Jason reveals.

The Music of SUPER BOWL X...l Coverage

While we not-so-patiently wait for Bruno to hit the stage, Jason also shared with us how to make Bruno’s rock star look work for the everyday man.

“The secret is not only in the build up of different products like gel and moose, but it’s about having a great shampoo to wash it all out and start fresh.” Jason recommends the Dove Men+Care Aqua Impact shampoo for this. “It not only is a great cleanser, but it makes men’s hair three times stronger.” Quite the perfect fix, since Jason expressed the secret to any successful pompadour is strength.

http://www.billboard.com/...ular-says

Sounds interesting

He wil be fine. He is another one who will shock everybody. He does not need a hype machine to put on a good show. His shows speaks for themselves. You either like it or you don't. He doesn't do all that extra unnessary stuff.