Review: Bruno Mars Halftime Show Brings Old-School Showmanship & Dynamic Performance

NY DAILY NEWS – During Bruno Mars’ 12-minute display — complete with a seamless cameo by The Red Hot Chili Peppers — the 28-year-old singer touched on bouncy ’60s Motown, fun ’70s disco funk, slick ’80s pop and a hint of modern hip-hop-flash. He may not have the figure of Beyoncé or the buzz of Madonna. But this year’s half time star — Bruno Mars — brought dynamism and an old-fashioned sense of showmanship to his Super Bowl blow-out. Opening with his smash “Locked Out of Heaven,” the pompadour’d star whipped through a tight and brisk run of four hits. His sole guest stars — The Red Hot Chili Peppers — seamlessly slipped their percussive song “Give It Away” into the headliner’s “Runaway Baby.” Mars’ 12-minute display exuded a friendliness and ease so winning, it made the edginess or cool of some past Super Bowl stars irrelevant. More, the performance wore its sources well, doubling as a history lesson in song. The songs Mars offered represented a virtual pop nexus of the last 40 years, touching on bouncy ’60s Motown, fun ’70s disco funk, slick ’80s pop and a hint of modern hip-hop-flash. At one point, he referenced James Brown’s fast-footed dance moves. Continue reading here.