The Weeknd Will Perform Live At The Super Bowl Halftime Show
The Weeknd will perform his Super Bowl halftime show this weekend entirely live, despite previous fears that the show would have to be pre-recorded to fit in with Covid-19 protocols.
The producer of the halftime show, Jesse Collins, spoke to Entertainment Tonight about the event, stating: “We’re gonna use the stadium to present the show in a way that it’s never been presented before.” Instead of focusing on what we can’t do [due to the pandemic], it’s like, look at what the opportunities are because of the cards we’ve been dealt.”
The event will take place on Sunday 7th February at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who will be playing against the Kansas City Chiefs. 22,000 fans have been permitted to attend, including 7,500 vaccinated health workers who will be given free tickets to the show, according to the Independent. Fans will be expected to wear masks as mandatory and socially distance, while there will be touchless set ups for bathrooms and concession stands, as well as controlled entry and exit areas.
The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, will take to the stage to perform at the event. While his plans for his performance remain under wraps, he revealed to Billboard that, though the organisers are as usual covering all production costs, Tesfaye put up $7 million (£5.1 million) of his own money to “make this halftime show be what he envisioned.” No doubt, however, that some of his top hits, including Blinding Lights, Can’t Feel My Face and Starboy may well make an appearance in his setlist.
As Collins added in her interview with Entertainment Tonight, “”He’s got monster hits, and he really worked hard to make sure that they are presented in a way, in a Super Bowl halftime format, in a live way that’s never been done before,” Collins told ET. “The key word is ‘live,’ like, we didn’t go pre-tape this… It’s all happening in that stadium, in that moment.”
The show will take place this weekend (7th January) and The Weeknd will perform a set around 12-13 minutes long.