Paul McCartney, No Doubt and Barenaked Ladies have been added to the Super Bowl pre-game show at the Louisiana Superdome on February 3. McCartney will headline the event and lead what is being called a “Tribute to Everyday Heroes” to honor the acts of kindness and heroism that people contributed in the wake of September 11. The Beatles bassist will perform his song “Freedom” with 500 young people who will symbolically represent the 180 countries broadcasting the football game across the globe.
The pre-show party will begin hours earlier with a performance by Barenaked Ladies at the Fox Tailgate Party in the parking lot of the stadium. They’ll be followed by a set from No Doubt. Then Mary J. Blige and Marc Anthony will perform “America the Beautiful” along with the Boston Pops and America’s Heroes Chorus. (see “Mary J. Blige, Marc Anthony Score Super Bowl Pre-Game Gig” ). The Pops will also back up Mariah Carey’s singing of the national anthem right before kickoff, which is scheduled for 6 p.m..
Additional pre-show performers may be announced at a later date.
Grammy nomination-gobblers U2 will provide halftime entertainment for the event. The band has yet to announce what its short set will consist of or who may join the group onstage.
Last year, Aerosmith and ‘NSYNC performed the halftime show along with a host of guests including Britney Spears, Run-D.M.C., Nelly and Mary J. Blige. Last year’s pre-show entertainment included Bon Jovi, Sting, Styx and Backstreet Boys.
