On Friday night (February 14), NBC’s SNL50: The Homecoming Concert streamed live on Peacock from Radio City Music Hall. The three-hour event celebrated the iconic sketch comedy show’s musical legacy, kicking off with host Jimmy Fallon paying homage to classic SNL with a spirited performance of the Blues Brothers‘ “Soul Man.” The star-studded evening featured plenty of memorable, rocking performances, including Eddie Vedder joined by The Roots for a performance of Pearl Jam’s “Corduroy” and a cover of Tom Petty’s “The Waiting,” when he paid tribute to late SNL cast members.
Arcade Fire was joined by David Byrne and St. Vincent on a cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes,” Post Malone joined the surviving members of Nirvana for a fiery cover of their smash hit, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” and Jack White closed down the show by covering Neil Young’s “Keep on Rockin’ In The Free World” as well as the White Stripes anthem, “7 Nation Army.” The night also featured stirring performances by Cher, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, and Robyn, who was joined by Byrne on her hit, “Dancing On My Own,” and the Talking Heads classic, “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody).”
Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean reunited for a surprise mini-set that featured a medley of hits that included “Lost Ones,” “911,” and “Killing Me Softly.” Mumford & Sons performed a touching rendition of Simon & Garfunkel‘s “The Boxer,” which Paul Simon memorably performed during SNL’s post-9/11 broadcast. The show, which was attended by present and past cast members as well as SNL’s distinguished history of hosts and musical guests, ultimately showcased the groundbreaking program’s enduring impact on both comedy and music. (Billboard)
