It’s Superbowl night, yeah night. See, I’m in Scotland so it starts about 11pm (Mon yersel’ Green Day). This is a nightmare if I’m working the next day, but I’m on mat leave so I can get away with it as long as today is full of kids having naps*.

*Dear readers, if you have ever been around toddlers you know fine well this ain’t happening. They smell weakness.

I don’t mind the American football bit, I’m getting more into it with time. Still not officially declared a team, suggestions open.

But, I’m much more into the halftime performances (pumped for Bad Bunny!)

Come on. A major live performance by someone with a notable career playing all their big hits with a major budget behind them? It’s the thing of culture blogger dreams.

I’ve been seeing lists on Instagram and the likes of ‘top Superbowl performances’ but I’m not vibing with them. They all feel a bit formal and written by experts. None of that. So here is my personal top 5 and rationale… some of which is to do with music.

Enjoy Xx

5. Katy Perry 2015

Left shark! Left shark! 

The beach themed, fun filled performance was costumes tasting. The woman was in a beach ball bra!

But the star of the show (the MVP I believe they are called in the ‘football’ world) was the person in a shark suit who fell behind in the choreography but never gave up. They flailed but never failed.

Set list highlights: Firework, Roar, California Girls 

4. Black Eyed Peas 2011

A left of field one here but hear me out. The set list is gold. The Black Eyed Peas had stormed charts throughout the 2000s and were in their high dance, ‘pop’ era. It was such a logical Superbowl choice and, watching it back was a damn good show

Set list highlights: I gotta feeling, Pump it, Where is the Love?

3. Rhianna 2023

The Second Draft Blog is pro Rhianna at all times, but this Superbowl was special. She was pregnant. At the time, I was also pregnant and couldn’t believe this woman was casually pulling moves that weren’t just her puffing up stairs. Queen.

Set list highlights: We found love (a blog fav here), Rude Boy, Umbrella

2. Kendrick Lemar 2025

I’ll admit, this one is purely for the drama around it. I was vaguely aware that Kendrick and Drake had ‘beef’ but it was glorious seeing such pettiness played out on a global stage. The Superbowl became the place to air laundry, who knew? The artistry, and the jeans, made this a performance to direct and the internet went to town. The grin!

Afterwards, as is the sign of a great performance,  I streamed a lot of Kendrick’s albums.

Set list highlights: Not like us, Humble

1. Beyonce 2013

It wasn’t going to be a millennial  nostalgia blog without a Beyonce mention. Gold. Absolute gold from start to finish. Bey walks out in this black sparkly body suit and storms  around doing her dance moves with aggression. (So much so the still photos after were awful. I won’t hear a bad word. Those are effort faces). She pulled Destiny’s Child out the floor (literally POP Kelly POP Michelle) and the stadium went wild. It was just amazing from start to finish. I was 23, peak Beyoncé target market. Couldn’t tell you who played that Superbowl. I loved it.

Set list highlights: Run the World (Girls), Independent Women Part 1, Single Ladies (put a ring on it).

Quick Instagram break. Follow me for these vibes: