Usher's Super Bowl Half-Time show: Look back at his iconic performance

Excitement was at an all-time high when it was revealed that R&B legend Usher would be headlining the 2024 Super Bowl half-time show, which took place on Sunday 11th February. Following months of rumours, it was confirmed back in September 2023 that the 'Confessions' icon would be taking to the stage during the world-renowned Half-Time show - and it's fair to say he didn't disappoint.

After Rihanna's incredible 2023 show, we wouldn't blame you for expecting BIG things from Usher - and with the help of special guests such as Alicia Keys, will. i. am., Ludacris, HER, and Lil Jon, he certainly brought us a show to remember. Watch back the singer's incredible show below, as well as everything you need to know about the night.

WATCH: Usher's Super Bowl Half-Time performance 2024:

You can watch the incredible performance from Usher on NFL's official YouTube channel - RIGHT HERE.

What was the set-list?

Usher performed a total of 13 songs during his headline set, including tracks with appearances from Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R., will.i.am, Lil Jon and Ludacris.

Check out the full set-list below:

1) 'Caught Up'

2) 'U Don't Have to Call'

3) 'Superstar' (snippet)

4) 'Love in This Club'

5) 'If I Ain't Got You' / 'My Boo' (with Alicia Keys)

6) Confessions Part II (with Jermaine Dupri)

7) 'Nice & Slow' (snippet)

8) 'Burn'

9) 'U Got It Bad' (with H.E.R.)

10) 'Bad Girl'

11) 'OMG' (with will.i.am)

12) 'Turn Down for What' - DJ Snake & Lil Jon cover (with Lil Jon)

13) 'Yeah!' (with Ludacris and Lil Jon)

How did Usher announce his 2024 Super Bowl Half-Time show?

Usher announced that he would be headlining the Super Bowl Half-Time show 2024 in a pretty iconic way, sharing multiple videos on social media that showed various famous faces revealing the news to Usher's younger self.

Not only was it his younger self, but it was actually clips from the star's 2004 music video for 'Confessions Part II'. Announcement videos were shared featuring Kim Kardashian, as well as American footballers Deion Sanders, Marshawn Lynch and Odell Beckham Jr (OBJ). The final clip featured Usher revealing the news to himself.

What did Usher say about performing at the Super Bowl?

Elated with the announcement back in September 2023, Usher gushed: "It is happening! It has happened!", continuing: "We made it!", before revealing how relieved he was that the news was finally out. Admitting that only a small, close-knit group knew about the news, he revealed that he even had to keep it from his kids!

Dubbing the Super Bowl Half-Time show the "most grand stage to ever play on", Usher enthused: "It's an honour of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list. I can't wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they've seen from me before.

"Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen. I'll see you real soon."

In early 2024 he shared another teaser for what's in store, titled: USHER: 30 years in the making. The video comes as Usher appeared on a cover interview with Vogue magazine telling the publication that: "This night was specifically curated in my mind to have R&B take the main stage."

He went on to reveal that it would also have: "Not just R&B music, but R&B performance, R&B connection, R&B spirit."

Usher is also said to have been inspired by some late famous icons such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and Prince, when working on his performance.

Teasing what fans can expect, Usher said: ‌“What I did is I was very mindful of my past, celebrating my present, which is here in Las Vegas, and thinking about where we’re heading in the future, that was really the idea. What songs do I feel people know me for, what songs have been a celebration of the journey of what life and love and emotion has been offered in my music, that was the idea.

“I thought about a few moments that were special in dance, I thought some things I created here in Las Vegas, like skating, and doing things that I’ve not done on stage up until this point, to be able to share that with the world.

"For everybody that heard about my show in Las Vegas, you’re not going to get a chance to see some of what I did here but you’re going to see the best of it because it’s in front of 60,000 people in this room and hopefully another 180 million people for the world to see.”

How long was the Half-Time show?

The Half-Time performance ran for 13 minutes. The show has typically run between 12 to 15 minutes in the past.

Speaking to Billboard prior to his performance, Usher revealed that his set would last up to 15 minutes, which would be longer than any other Half-Time performer. He said: "It's 12 to 15 minutes. So it's really hard to determine what moment matters more than others, especially with a new song.

"But there's the dance, the wardrobe, the lighting, how long you stay in a song, the fact that the audience may sing along. It's a lot. So I'm trying my hardest not to overthink it."

As for the actual American football game, this lasted for a total of 60 minutes (as is the case in professional and college play) - divided into two halves of 30 minutes and four quarters of 15 minutes.

When was the 2024 Super Bowl?

The Super Bowl LVIII took place on Sunday 11th February 2024, serving as the 58th Super Bowl.

Kick-off time was 15:30 PST - which was 23:30 in the UK.

Which teams played in the 2024 Super Bowl?

The San Francisco 49ers took on the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFLS's annual championship game.

Who won?

The Super Bowl 2024 was won by the Kansas City Chiefs!

As many fans will know, Taylor Swift's boyfriend Travis Kelce plays for the team, with the singer supporting him from the sidelines with her BFFs Blake Lively, Lana Del Rey and Ice Spice. Taylor and Travis then shared a sweet celebratory moment following the Chief's win.

Where did it take place?

The game, and therefore Half-Time show, took place at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The game marked the third year in a row that the Super Bowl had been played in the Western United States.

Could you watch it in the UK?

In the US, Super Bowl LVIII was televised by CBS and streamed on Paramount+. For the first time ever, there was a 'youth-oriented alternate broadcast' on sister network Nickelodeon.

As for watching the game, and Usher's Half-Time show, in the UK - there were multiple options - including the game being televised in the UK and Ireland on ITV, as well as on Sky Sports and Sky Showcase.

Who performed in 2023?

The 2023 Super Bowl Half-Time show, on 12th February 2023, was headlined by Rihanna, who wowed fans with an incredible set which featured hits including 'Diamonds', 'Umbrella' and 'Rude Boy.' The 35-year-old took to the stage for the first time in seven years, where she revealed she was expecting her second child. Rihanna later welcomed her baby boy Riot Rose Mayers in August 2023.

Rihanna's show followed hip hop royalty taking to the stage for the Super Bowl Half-Time show in 2022 - with a star studded line-up of Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Dr Dre, Mary J Blige, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent.

Previous performers include the likes of J-Lo, Shakira, The Weeknd and Lady Gaga, as well as other legendary names such as Prince, Madonna, Britney Spears and Beyoncé - as well as some of the most iconic names in hip-hop royalty.

Check out which other artists were rumoured to perform at the Half-Time show:

Now read:

Harry Styles rumoured to perform at 2024 Super Bowl Half-Time show

Rihanna's Super Bowl Half-Time show: Look back at her show-stopping performance

Rihanna announces she's PREGNANT during Super Bowl Half-Time show

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