When will rock music return to the Super Bowl Halftime Show?

Usher without a doubt crushed his Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance. But if you’ve been a viewer of the Super Bowl Halftime Show for some time, you’ve noticed a notable absence: a rock headliner. Since Coldplay's 2016 appearance, pop has dominated the stage, leaving some wondering - where's the rock?

And for the record, I don’t consider Coldplay rock, but it’s the closest rock-adjacent artist we’ve had most recently. Gone are the days of ZZ Top, The Who, or Prince electrifying the airwaves. The last purely rock performance dates back to 2010 when The Who did their thing. In contrast, the past decade and a half have been defined by pop icons like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, and most recently Usher.

But why is this the case? Here are some possible explanations. First, there’s the international appeal factor. The NFL seeks global viewership, and pop music often translates better across borders than rock. Secondly, there’s Roc Nation’s influence. The Jay-Z-owned entertainment company partners with the NFL for halftime shows, and their focus often leans toward contemporary pop acts. And well, let’s be honest, Jay-Z most likely shares some bias when it comes to his pop music friends.

Sure, attributing the rock drought solely to these factors might be a bit overly simplistic. There are definitely other factors at play here. Halftime shows have become elaborate spectacles, relying heavily on dance routines and pyrotechnics. When it comes to this type of entertainment format, I’m not sure that rock would be able to compete as easily — not saying it can’t be done, but it has to make one question.

So there’s the visual entertainment aspect, but then there’s the obvious generational shift. Rock's cultural dominance has arguably waned compared to pop music's current popularity, particularly among younger demographics. It just is what it is.

And then there’s of course the idea that maybe it's not just the NFL saying no. Perhaps a lack of interest or existing commitments prevent prominent rock bands from participating. After all, it was reported that Metallica turned down the chance to play the grand stage in 2016. So who knows?

Will rock music ever return? Only time will tell if rock will reclaim its Super Bowl Halftime throne. While Usher carried the torch this year (2024), future performances remain open to speculation. Perhaps a band craving a global platform and embracing the spectacle will bridge the gap. Or maybe, rock will continue to rock out elsewhere, leaving the Super Bowl stage to the current sonic trends.

Ultimately, the answer lies in the complex interplay between artist interest, audience preferences, and the NFL's evolving vision for its showpiece event.

Clearly, there are rock bands worthy enough to garner our approval while being widely accepted for their performance. Which rock bands do you think would be a great fit for the Super Bowl Halftime Show?