It’s unconfirmed, but sbnation.com (that’s Super Bowl Nation, FYI) is reporting that Madonna will be the halftime entertainment at Lucas Oil Stadium for the big game in February. A spokesperson for the NFL declined to comment on the report.
My initial reaction: It’s the worst celeb news in Indy since Donald Trump was (mercifully, temporarily) named pace car driver for the Indy 500.
Yes, in the grand scheme of things, the halftime singer isn’t terribly important. Most of us—those who can’t afford the mortgage-payment-sized ticket prices—will be using the halftime show as an opportunity to stretch legs and refresh our salsa bowls at home anyway.
But, still, why bother with Madonna? Haven’t we learned from the Timberlake/Jackson fiasco?
The way I see it, we either end up with a muted, PG Madonna (and who wants that?) or an inappropriate-for-family-viewing Madonna (and, at the risk of repeating, who wants that?).
I’m not saying that we need a flash-in-the-pan like Justin Bieber (please, no). And Madonna clearly has earned her spot as a music icon--unlike, say, 1997’s inclusion of the lame Blues Brothers half-knock off with Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, and James Belushi. And if the report is correct, kudos, for avoiding the obvious Mellencamp choice. (Yes, I like Mellencamp, but sometimes he seems to get trotted out like Australia brings out Crocodile Dundee)
So is there a better option than Madonna?
Do you have any ideas?
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Now, I totally don't follow the logic in this column. Madonna (regardless of whether you like her or not) would be a huge coup for the Indy Super Bowl to land. Madonna is the fourth best selling musical artist in history behind only the Beatles, Elvis, and Michael Jackson. So, she's the biggest name/icon/etc. alive at this point you can get to perform. She has NEVER played Indy even once in her nearly 30 year career and rarely (if ever) has played a market this size in the last 25 years. Normally the only midwestern cities she hits on a tour are Chicago and Detroit (her hometown) with no chance of the likes of Indy, St. Louis, Cincy, Columbus, etc. getting a show. Compare that to last year's halftime act with the Black Eyed Peas that play almost anywhere and even hit small towns like Lexington, Ky, etc. Plain and simple, Madonna is one of the most iconic musical figures of the last half century and is known for putting on a great show.
I'm certainly more of a rock fan myself but there is nobody left in rock music that hasn't already played the Super Bowl that is bigger than Madonna. And Madonna is still enormously popular. Her last tour two years ago grossed nearly $5 million dollars per night which is second only to U2's recent 360 tour for highest gross per night in music history.
Indy is lucky to be getting an act as big as Madonna for the Super Bowl if true. Some of the suggestions in the comments here are laughable. The Super Bowl halftime isn't where you're going to see State Fair level acts, acts that play venues as small as the Lawn in Indy, intimate piano jazz, etc. trotted out. It's got to an enormously well known act that has appeal over multiple generations. John Mellencamp struggles to fill more than a theater these days and he doesn't even fill those in many places. Plus, the Super Bowl doesn't put much value on the act being local.
This isn't the State Fair, it's not an event only watched by those under 40, it's not an Indiana event, it's the SUPER BOWL and they are going to get a huge, very well known act. Madonna is a slam dunk for this. This is a big time score for the Indy Super Bowl hype if true.
I would like to hear some names from you on who you think would be better for the Indy Super Bowl? The givens would be that it has to be somebody huge in terms of popularity/name recognition, they've got to appeal to multiple generations, and put on a dynamic show? The list really starts to get short quicker than you might think.
A band like the Eagles hits the first two marks but really falls short on the third as they largely just stand (or sit) there and play low energy note for note versions of their hits. And I say that as a fan of their music.
Assuming that you can't have a repeat act here are a few acts that might have been contenders.
Billy Joel and/or Elton John- I'm surprised this hasn't happened and it's probably only a matter of time until it does.
The Police (if they would reunite again) or Sting- I'm not sure the NFL would go for Sting solo but the Police would have been a good fit.
Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin reunion- NFL would go for this in a heartbeat but it's going to take more than the Super Bowl to finally bring about the reunion of either of these acts.
Lady Gaga- Too soon. Maybe in ten or fifteen years. Too limited appeal and too risky.
Bon Jovi- This will happen and I will bet you it happens next year in New Jersey.
Garth Brooks or Kenny Chesney- Likely to have a mega country act at some point. Just glad it's not happening here to further cement Indy's national rep as a flyover, backwater town.
Pearl Jam- This could happen at some point provided the band doesn't look at it as selling out too much.
It's a short list. There are others but not that many others that are big enough and have wide enough appeal.