Eargasms is a section dedicated to the great and the good of music, such as Kendrick Lamar announcing a ‘Black Panther’ album to the Grammy winners. Usually, Super Bowl’s halftime slot is a sure-thing. From Prince (RIP) to Beyonce and Madonna, the show has been a hit for the past five to ten years. On the 4th of February, 2018, something different happened.
Justin Timberlake, or JT to his fans, returned to the limelight with his performance. Apart from international acclaim, people have been mulling over his slot since the second half started in Minnesota. Was it a triumphant homecoming for the king, or was it an outdated show which should signal his quiet decline into obscurity?
A man of JT’s caliber shouldn’t get written off without an impassioned defense. Still, the facts are the facts. So, let’s answer once and for all whether the Super Bowl was a clinic in excellence or the last throes of boy band graduate.
The Overall Show
Whatever critics say about the performance, the Super Bowl show was, as always, a success story. Pyrotechnics crashed and banged, while a gaggle of men and women danced in harmony. Even the stage lighting controlled by stepper motors was a triumph as it illuminated the whole of the stadium. In fact, parts of Minnesota itself basked in the glow of the halftime show and they weren’t in the immediate vicinity. In many ways, halftime in the NFL isn’t about the music; it’s about enjoyment. Sure, the quality of the tunes is important, but not as much as watching grown-ups gyrate. One thing is for sure, the audience on the night looked to be having a great time. And, that kind of makes JT and his band of merry men and women a success story. At the least, it’s a tick in the right column.
Was the show Flawless?
What wasn’t a cross in the right box was the unfortunate routine. Although the lights and firecrackers were on point, the timing was a little off. Yep, some of the backing dancers didn’t quite reach the dizzy heights of the years before, while JT himself missed a few steps. There was nothing to make you think ‘oh my god, that is terrible!’ Still, it felt as though it missed the impeccable choreography of yesteryear when you couldn’t take your eyes from the performance. Some people will say they didn’t notice a mistimed dance move, and that is fine. But, if one person can see a tiny crack in the armor, it’s not good enough for the Bowl. Millions of people watch the event and the United States is in the store window. We should give them perfection.
Setlist – Did he jam the hits ?
One thing Timberlake has is a plethora of classic ballads and pop songs. Surely he can choose the ones that will highlight the best of his career? There’s no doubt he tried, but he might not have succeeded. For some reason, Justin’s setlist just didn’t have the same pop, the songs not seeming as timeless as first thought. He opened with Filthy before lurching into Rock Your Body and Senorita, the last two being thoroughbred classics. However, they didn’t bring the oomph which Justin was known for at his peak. And, that’s because he might not be at the top of the tree any longer. Voiceovers, movie cameos and Jimmy Fallon skits are among his greatest hits nowadays, and that is undeniable. Probably the saddest part was that his current releases didn’t have any buzz whatsoever, which is a worry about his latest album was slammed.
I Can’t Hear You !
Don’t get us wrong; we all love a dance routine. It’s a feast for the eyeballs. Still, a halftime show featuring a musician should center on the music. It’s an old-fashioned belief, but it’s making a comeback. During the performance last Sunday night, it was a strain to hear Timberlake’s voice, as if it was drowned out by the background noise. Now, he isn’t the man who messes with electrics and ensures the gadgets are ‘spot on,’ as the British would say. But, he is the guy who shoulders the responsibility of the performance. The fact his voice was difficult to distinguish doesn’t lie at his door, yet it does reflect on the overall event. No one is saying ‘I couldn’t hear him: god damn the sound technician. We need better engineers at the Super Bowl!’ Rightly or wrongly, the public is blaming JT and that doesn’t bode well for his return.
The Metaphysics
Creating a lifelike and life-size hologram on stage is a ‘like it or hate it’ type of thing. When Tupac ‘came back to life’ at Coachella, the crowd couldn’t believe their peepers. Were the rumors true – was Thug Life still alive and kicking? Sadly, it was a trick of the light, yet no one hated the spectacle. Well, maybe a few creationists that don’t think humans should play God. JT didn’t go as far, maybe because Prince’s feelings on the subject were less than congratulatory. His Purpleness once called the process ‘demonic.’ Instead, Justin settled for a blurry sheet routine to pay tribute to his idol. In this case, it didn’t come off for a variety of reasons. For starters, Prince’s fans are pretty angry that his wishes weren’t a factor, while the blurred sheet was a little confusing. Probably the biggest reason for the backlash was this: it’s played out. Tupac wowed fans because no one expected the East Coast-born, West Coast rapper to make an appearance. Days before the Super Bowl, there were reports of a tribute. This year, there were reports of a tribute days before the show went live.
Conclusion
No one can doubt that Timberlake put his heart and soul into the routine. A star such as he doesn’t shine bright without dedication and passion. The problem was that it felt a touch casual. From his dance routines to the set list and the metaphysics, there wasn’t the usual halftime sparkle. Only the pyrotechnics were a hit, and we expect much more from the return of the ‘king.’
