The Black Eyed Peas at the Super Bowl: Pop absurdity at its finest

As the Black Eyed Peas' Super Bowl halftime performance in Arlington, Texas, halted and revved up for its final act, there was a brief glimpse at the band that could have been. The retro-future stage -- outfitted with multiple moving platforms and a multitude of lights, as if the Peas had blown up Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade -- rearranged itself to spell out the the word "Love." 

Peas ringleader will.i.am stood straight and looked directly into the camera. Outfitted to look something like a cross between an astronaut and a "Star Wars" character, will.i.am updated the lyrics to "Where Is the Love?" and called upon the president to "create jobs so the country stays stimulated." As political commentary, it was far from divisive, but the 2003 hit was a brief reminder of the Los Angeles act's roots. The Peas were once a socially-conscious hip-hop act, and as recently as eight years ago were interested in more than simply overly stimulating their audience.

But that shift in direction -- these days, the Peas have time for only mindless partying -- is largely what made the act quite possibly the most perfectly suited contemporary group for a Super Bowl halftime show. Since the 2004 Janet Jackson disaster, the NFL has targeted the boomer crowd, with little success. Bruce Springsteen hammed it up in 2009 to pander the mass audience, and the Who ran out of gas last year, trying to play the part of an act that still mattered.

The Peas, however, didn't really have to change a thing. The Peas of 2011 embrace all things commercial and ridiculous. Corny? Please. In the world of the Peas, nothing is too silly and everything is built for exaggeration.

Fergie, who plays the role of "the one with sex appeal" in the group, wore a glittery top that looked like butterfly-shaped battle armor. It was absurd and somewhat laughable, yet the Super Bowl isn't the place for subtlety or veteran rockers trying to garner headlines.  

So, as dancers with lampshades on their heads surrounded the band, the Peas once again proved that there is no outfit, no dance move and no lyric ("Mazel tov!") too silly to be shouted to the hinterlands. The Peas, love 'em or hate 'em, are the group this game of hype deserves.

Smartly, the Peas largely stayed away from their stinker of a recent album, "The Beginning," dipping only briefly into "The Time (Dirty Bit)," with will.i.am and Fergie copping a prom-like embrace. Yet the tune isn't really a song as much as it is an excuse to show off some nifty digital sounds, a compilation of parts that approaches songwriting as if it's a commercial.

Indeed, the band can do those too, as will.i.am even directed his own Super Bowl ad, and unavoidable songs such as "Let's Get It Started" and "Pump It" are little more than a collection of game-day slogans. The Peas largely stayed still during the performance, letting the backup dancers in "Tron"-like get-ups do much of the work and provide the eye candy. And eye candy it was, as -- and all apologies to Daft Punk -- there's nothing in Disney's "Tron: Legacy" as goofily surreal as a band singing the phrase "Boom Boom Pow" in Lazer Tag fashions.  

The whole performance wasn't a winner. When Slash emerged from beneath the act's rotund stage/space shuttle launch pad, it was a turn for the worst. Here come the overcooked guitar lines and moment of nostalgia, but as Slash and Fergie ran through a snippet of "Sweet Child O' Mine," it was a small consolation that Fergie can do a better Axl Rose than Axl these days. 

Usher then descended from the ceiling to show off his dance moves, and the verses for his "O.M.G." were the only moments when the halftime show approached anything near risque. Much has been made of the Peas appearing at the Super Bowl, as pop-culture pontificators wondered whether the former rap group would do anything controversial. But no worries, as even Fergie's skirt was at an appropriate length. Really, the Peas had zero interest in alienating, even if they persuaded Usher to wear a suit that was missing only a Stormtrooper mask. 

Plenty may bemoan the absence of a more straight-ahead -- and, let's face it, artful -- act such as Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, but the Peas' music is made for short bursts. This is the rare band that can shine with a medley.

Also, as far as music entertainment at this Super Bowl goes, the Peas were something of a revelation at Cowboys Stadium. Christina Aguilera bungled a line of the National Anthem, and stretched and yelled the word "brave" as if she were giving a lesson in what tinnitus sounded like. Pregame, Maroon 5 was adult-pop at its most bland, and Keith Urban, despite his stylish guitar playing, was indistinguishable country-pop. 

The Peas, however, are singularly unique, even if they're far away from their more thought-provoking early days. The set came to an end with "I've Got a Feeling," and Fergie chest-pumped as she sang the words "pa-pa-pa-pa-party everyday." Nonsense? In the hands of nearly any other chart-toppers, yes, but the Peas approach partying as if it's some sort of battle cry. Their weapons are little more than tuneful chants, and their army is fluorescent, but it's built for stadiums.

-- Todd Martens 

Photo: Getty Images

Comments

[favedave]

The BEST half-time performance ever was by U2. It was a few months after 9-11 and they managed to incorporate a tribute to the victims without being sappy. The names of the victims rose slowly on a hugely tall background. As the names continued to rise the background itself formed a tower - just like the World Trade Center. The band rocked "Streets Have No Name". At a key point in the song whatever was holding the tower of names up was let go - and the tower crumbled to the ground. Chilling.
The song continued. Bono sang, "Love, Love, Love" from "All You Need Is Love".
At the end of the song he open his black leather jacket to reveal the inside was an American flag.
MASSIVELY GREAT.
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og0V1UtjPt4

[Jeremiah]

It's virtually impossible to find an artist suitable for the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The audience for the Super Bowl is so wide that not any one type of artist can be successful in the spotlight. I felt Springsteen put on a decent show, as did Paul McCartney and Prince, but not everyone appreciates their style, age, generations, etc.

The Black Eyed Peas were an experiment because of how they reflect modern pop music's love affair with dance and hip-hop. Unfortunately, the production was poor. Fergie oversang and the sound mixing was inconsistent. Slash and Usher didn't seem to fit the overall tone. But maybe I'm saying this because I'm a Gen-Xer with very specific tastes.

I'm hoping whomever plans these halftime shows will reconsider the formula and try to shake things up in the future (I would say "next year," but the NFL labor issues might postpone our next Super Bowl for awhile).

[JoePerrythePlatypus]

The entire halftime spectacle was just God-awful from start to finish. Next year, how about booking an artist that's still relevant and can actually really sing without the aid of lip-syncing (Usher) or Auto Tune (will.i.am).

[Jose Luis]

The Halftime show was pretty bad. I like the Black Eyed Peas a little bit but this was not a good performance. When Slash came up and I heard the Sweet Child'O Mine intro I got a little nostalgia/excited and then was promptly dissapointed at Fergie's vocals. In my opinion, she sounded pretty bad. Definitely not what I was expecting. Then Usher came on stage and added to my dissapointment. At this point, however, I had already given up as had everyone else at our house. In their defense, however, I have never seen a great Halftime show at the Super Bowl. But there is sometimes a few moments of greatness; unfortunately there weren't any at this show. Oh well.

[vegasgirl]

They are what they are: Catchy R&B, with some flourishes. They look good on stage and dance. That's what they're there to do. Was anyone expecting Arcade Fire?
As for anyone reading more into the "stimulus" statement, I'd suggest they get over it.

[Dancing Scorpion]

A DEAD ON REVIEW OF THE BEP...TODD MARTENS GO TO THE HEAD OF THE CLASS...REALLY GOOD...

[Meh]

meh

[patches o'houlihan]

far too many people forget McCartney when reviewing past halftime shows. the entire stadium singing along to hey jude was everything the black eyed peas performance lacked...moving, emotional, passionate, real

as for more modern acts big and good enough to play the super bowl I'd nominate the red hot chili peppers, muse, daft punk, the roots

[Joe]

Someone needs to explain this group to me. Fergie is not attractive and a bad singer. What does she bring exactly? The Slash thing was as lame as lame gets. That song and riff are played out, give me a break. Rap and hip-hop usually does not translate live all that well and this was no exception. I give them a C overall.

[Spin]

There are 3 things to take from the Super Bowl Halftime show:

1) The Black Eyed Peas were awful. Did they even practice beforehand or have a sound check? They were pitiful and showed their lack of skills during a live show.

2) Fergie can't sing very well. She is another singer the industry tricked us into believing she had pipes. There were no voice filters and the verdict is clear: Her voice is terrible. She is another pop star that lacks singing talent and is overproduced.

3) Never use a Rap group ever again. There are plenty of musical acts whose performances blow any rappers performance out of the water. Music performances are more interesting to watch and actually displays talent.

[Jessica]

I agree that many recent halftime performances have failed to live up to the hype. Prince was the most obvious exception. But last nights was horrible! From beginning to end it was bad. I like BEPs studio music but apparently they need electronic filters and auto tune. I wonder if they even rehearsed for this event. If they did, someone should have told Fergie not to imitate Axle Rose. She tried to immitate both his voice and moves and failed miserably at both. I will never think of them the same way. What a shame.

[Kat]

I think Keith Urban should have been the halftime show and the Peas in the opening act with Maroon 5 before the game. I thought the halftime show was so lame. Incredibly bad. If it hadn't been for the light show dancers.... but the truth is, I couldn't watch it. I had to change the channel while that was going on. The game was stellar, though. Yay Packers!

[Bob]

That was the worst half-time performance ever!
Black Eyed Peas SUCK !!

[bdub]

First time i ever turned the channel during a superbowl. What a disaster. The superbowl is football, you know heart and soul? It would be nice if the performance matched that. Techno crap...Write a song with more than three words goodness sake. boom boom pow, boom boom pow, WTH.

[Gerry]

If you're any good as an entertainer, why do you need to hide behind hundreds of gimmicky-costumed dancers and costumes that seem to have been stolen from Marvel Comics? And if you can sing, why do you need Auto-Tune? And am I the only one who thinks that so much of the quasi-robotic style of modern "dancing" is ridiculous? I was actually looking forward to this halftime show, thinking that, as an openminded boomer, perhaps I should give some weight to the criticisms of the younger crowd that the halftime acts have been too old, irrelevant, etc. Can't believe I almost fell for that! I'll take Tom Petty or any quality rocker any day over this total lameness we saw yesterday.

[KAPPAKYAH]

Prince was an awesome half time performer. Don't forget him. To everyone who deems themselves a critic; get over yourselves. You can't please every genre of music lovers. So the Peas were wasted on you. Get over it. They entertained. Despite poor Christina A's blunder (we all make mistakes right-- don't throw stones at glass houses), at least the game was worth watching this year.

[Captain Fury]

Fire the sound tech immediately... That was the worst display of poor vocals I have ever seen at any live show... Peas sucked!!!!

only topped by a great vocalist forgetting the words to the National Anthem

[OWNMIND]

Bring back Janet Jackson!

[CharlieG]

This was the worst half-time performance ever. Springsteen was the best by far. Take a look at the yahoo.com poll and Bruce is the clear winner. So get over this "old-geezer" crap and stop acting like you have to be young to sing. Obviously, this half-time show killed that myth.

[Oh my god it was terrible!]

This was a Sputnick moment.

The entire country realized this is the best musical talent our county can offer?

Fist pumping with the boom, boom pow-wow...yo yo

I wanted to VanGough my ears off.

Please Los Angeles for the love of God do something about the music scene. The same baby-boomer musicians will kick our butts in 20 years.

[JF]

The LA Time writer is absurd. The Who tired, Springsteeen hamming it up?

All the old greats did one thing the Peas didn't. They did the music they wrote and are famous for.

The Peas did two cover tunes. TWO! Are you kidding?

The Peas sucked.

[Jefe Han]

Very cool use of lights and body images in a massive stadium, but if the sound engineer (and director) aren't fired then I want to work for that company because it would be an easy ride. The "music" was sooo poor and even though I have seen BEP in concert and realize they are not good live, you would expect the sound to be a bit better. I would have taken lip sync over that train wreck. It wasn't just BEP - you couldn't hear Usher either. Huge, huge disappointment.

[David Kelson]

I feel quite qualified to say that the sound during the halftime performance of the BlackEyed Peas (a band I like a lot) was some of the worst live event music mixing I've heard in modern sound times. They were singing to playback and it still was fraught with so many mixing mistakes it was hard to believe. If I were the performers I sure would be unhappy when I watched it played back. Oh well.....

[bill from canada]

horrible

who is keith urban sure not merle haggard

wow the hype and spin that goes for talent these days

in the old days you would have to work bars and night clubs coffee houses for years now its just crap blame american idol and the 15 minutes of fame everybody wants

the nfl could had bob dylan
ccr and other bands that are more relevant
and at least have some talent

the show looked like it was done at the ymca dance flop
amateur and high school

[gary]

a pitiful excuse for singers and a band. without the neon outfits they got nothing. if you call that singing, then i even have a chance at a singing career and i can only sing in the shower, lol. i won't be buying any of their music anytime soon. and along with christina, all of them should be banned from performing anywhere at anytime. if you flub on the star spangled banner you should exported immediately.