This is part of a weekly series called “Pop Opinions” where The Lantern offers its take on the week’s pop culture news.
Super Bowl win goes to Sasha Fierce
Beyoncé performed at the halftime show of Super Bowl XLVII, which means the halftime show was finally worth watching. Madonna’s set last year accentuated that she’s past her prime and included senseless matchups, putting her with LMFAO, Nicki Minaj and Cee-Lo Green, and the year before that with the off-pitch Black Eyed Peas was no better. Finally, the ultimate diva brought her powerhouse vocals to one of the most high-profile concerts – I mean football games – of the year. Watching her strut her stuff and listening to her perfect pitch was the highlight of the night, and a reunion with her former girl bandmates, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, was the icing on the cake.
The final song of Beyoncé’s flawless performance, an emotional, intense belting of “Halo,” left me awestruck. I think nearly everyone watching at home wished they were up against the stage as Beyoncé whipped her hair into the crowd, singing each note with passion.
Puppy Bowl an adorable Sunday highlight
Although it ended before the Super Bowl began, I respect the decision not to watch the Puppy Bowl when it aired, as I believe in the American tradition of devoting all of Super Bowl Sunday to football and snacks. However, if you didn’t at least check out a highlight video or two from Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl, you are seriously missing out.
Watching precious puppies frolic and play with one another in a miniature football field-like pen is enough to make anyone who appreciates cuteness squeal. Whoever came up with the idea of a puppy version of the Super Bowl is definitely a genius, and the addition of a “halftime show” featuring kittens and confetti only added to the brilliance. If you need a smile, look up some videos or pictures from the event – it will make your day.
Mumford & Sons to come to Ohio in summer festival
The Gentlemen of the Road Stopovers are music festival weekends that come to five cities in the summer. This year, Troy, Ohio, is one of the cities to host a Stopover. Troy is about an hour-and-a-half from Columbus, and about a half-hour north of Dayton. The two-day event features Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Mumford & Sons, Old Crow Medicine Show and others.
This festival is a dream come true for folk fans, and with such scattered and exclusive locations, it’s sure to draw a crowd. The Troy Stopover offers camping for the weekend, and the festival sounds like the perfect way to spend Labor Day weekend.
The festival begins Aug. 30 and continues with a full day of music Aug. 31 at Troy Memorial Stadium. Two-day tickets go on sale Friday and cost $109.
