U2 performs at annual Super Bowl; promotes national unity at halftime

By Erika DeVincenzi
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

As the crowd anxiously waited for the half-time show, the only light in the stadium was made by thousands of fans who held candles in remembrance of September 11th as U2 entered the Louisiana Superdome.

The band U2 performed at the Super Bowl in New Orleans during the E*TRADE Super Bowl XXXVI half-time show.

"U2 was overpowering with their performance of "Beautiful Day," because it really hit home with all Americans, including myself," said Dana Harris, 22, a junior communications major from Springfield, Mass.

The Super Bowl, which is held at the Louisiana Superdome, was the nation's highest rated television program and the most watched single sporting event of the year. Over 100 million viewers in the United States and 800 million viewers worldwide viewed this event.

Entertainment Weekly said that U2's show was "a staggering confirmation that this is rock's greatest arena band, ever." U2 is at the height of their career with their multi-platinum CD, All That You Can't Leave Behind.

"The E*TRADE Super Bowl half-time show is an important part of the Super Bowl and one of the most widely viewed entertainment events of the year," said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

According to Super Bowl Entertainment website, "This year's show will take on new meaning in light of recent world events. We are pleased that the spectacular talent of U2 will become part of our Super Bowl halftime tradition." (http://www.superbowl.com/xxxvi/features/halftime-show.html)

The Super Bowl had a patriotic theme after the September 11th terrorist attack that pushed the Super Bowl back a week.

"The halftime show was great and showed great patriotism; I liked how they showed the names of every soul that died on September 11th in 2001," said Gabe Burkart, 22, a senior communications major from San Antonio, TX.

The half-time show was a celebration of human spirit and the values of freedom, which were redefined and refocused in the half-time show.

As U2 sang "Beautiful Day," the names of all the individuals who died on September 11th scrolled across a screen that was in the background. Everyone in the crowd held a lit candle that symbolized unity.

"This event showed that the country is still in unity months after the horrible events that took place September 11th," said Jim Strail, 20, a junior communications major from Syracuse, NY. "This made me feel like people in our country actually have concern about each other, now."

Besides patriotism, the strong presence of U2 reflects a growing trend at major sporting events towards partnering music with sports to boost the rating of both. To continue the musical trend with sporting events, Elton John is scheduled to perform at the NBA All-Star game on February 10, 2002. The weekend will also include Britney Spears, P. Diddy and Alicia Keys.

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