As the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show drew to a close, viewers were left in awe of the seven floating stages that had elevated Rihanna and her dancers off the field. But why were these stages necessary? In this blog post, we’ll explore the practical purpose behind Rihanna’s theatrical performance, and the impressive technology that made it possible.
Rihanna’s Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show was the first of its kind, with LED lit stages that had never been used before. Production designer Bruce Rodgers, choreographer Parris Goebel, and production manager Joseph Lloyd worked together to create the show, and the concept of having the singer and performers in the air was designed to take the stress off of the turf on the field. Grass is very important to the NFL, and by having the performers elevated, it ensured that the 100,000 square feet of Tifway 419 hybrid Bermuda grass was not damaged.
The stages were equipped with massive Brunel trusses that were strong enough to “carry a freight train,” according to Rodgers. Aaron Siebert, the project lead from Tait Towers, which made the platforms, also noted that this was the most technically advanced Super Bowl halftime show that had ever been done.
Rihanna’s performance was a sight to behold, and the technology behind it was just as impressive. From the seven floating stages to the massive Brunel trusses, the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show was a spectacle that viewers won’t soon forget.
