Usher's Super Bowl 2024 Halftime Show Performance Left Viewers With One Major Complaint

Super Bowl 2024 has people talking — not just because of the game itself but also because of the abundant Super Bowl commercials and of course, the halftime show. This year's iconic performance, brought to viewers by Usher and numerous surprise guests, from Alicia Keys and Jermaine Dupri to H.E.R., will.i.am, Lil Jon, and Ludacris, caused controversy on one unlikely front — several viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to air their grievances about its noticeable audio issues.

Usher's audio sounds like he's on public access tv and not the #SuperBowl halftime show.

This has to be ranking with the worst ever.

— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) February 12, 2024

This was a surprisingly common complaint, with users like @thisisnefertiti, @Goodtweet_man, @joedevon, @SibandaJoanna, and @TimBrown_CA all highlighting the subpar sound. While an elaborate cultural event like the Super Bowl halftime show is usually as much a visual feast as it is an auditory one, at the end of the day, it's still a musical performance, so it's no surprise that viewers have been quick to call out the problems with this aspect of Usher's show.

Many viewers were bothered by the audio of Usher's Super Bowl halftime performance, but not all of them merely called it out. Some attempted to pinpoint the exact issue causing the low quality.

For those wondering whether this was simply a broadcasting problem, @nftpowerranking, who was present at the event, reported that the audio was just as bad there. "I'm here and can barely hear Usher," they tweeted, complete with a short video clip demonstrating their experience. Meanwhile, @ColonelKSpeaks highlighted one particular issue: "Vocal levels are all over the place."

Several X users felt that the audio malfunction stemmed from the wireless headset microphone Usher wore at the beginning of his performance. "Thank God [U]sher ditched that head mic. It was bad for audio mixing and the show got better when he switched to handheld," @LikeABloss_er wrote. Users like @JerryMassey and comic book writer Tony Isabella concurred that the audio improved after Usher switched microphones.

A live performance can be a tricky beast, especially on a stage as grand as the Super Bowl, so it's no surprise that a simple audio mishap like the one in Usher's halftime show caused a social media storm.

Despite the audio issues, which manifested both at home and in the stadium, most fans were pleased with Usher's throwback set. From bangers like Usher, Lil Jon, and Ludacris' "Yeah!" and "OMG" with will.i.am, the halftime show was mostly well-received for highlighting the singer's vast, diverse discography, which spans decades. While the Super Bowl 2024 halftime show isn't as iconic as Prince or Shakira and Jennifer Lopez's, it's definitely one of the better performances from the last decade. And let's not forget how he had the audacity and swagger to rolleskate! Audiences loved the performance and the proof is in the pudding. TV analytics company Samba (via Forbes) says Usher's performance drew around 5% more views than Rihanna's concert last year. All in all, Samba says over 30 million people watched Usher bust his iconic moves. 

The Guardian praised Usher's performance in a four-star review, saying it was "a frenetic and daring, if at times chaotic and uncharacteristically wobbly, display of showmanship from a performer who has no reason to prove his bona fides but went for it nonetheless." Years from now, audiences will more than likely forget about the audio issues, instead remembering the grooving tracks and surprise guest appearances. What audiences will remember, however, is a glaring omission from Usher's star-studded performance. 

The complaint that eclipsed Usher's audio issues was how Justin Bieber didn't show up for the halftime show. Here's some context: Usher is partially responsible for launching the "Love Yourself" artist's career and is widely considered to be his mentor. Prior to the halftime show, TMZ reported that Usher personally reached out to Bieber to join him for the performance. Fan expectations were high but, unfortunately, Bieber didn't sing alongside his mentee in what would have been an internet-breaking performance. Bieber was, however, at the game, which left many fans disappointed, especially when one considers how many guest stars Usher brought out. 

"usher brought out everyone & their mother out for that whack ass halftime show but couldnt bother to get justin bieber," wrote X user @guilleeaguilar_ in disbelief. "Justin Bieber being there and not performing with Usher was a cardinal sin," shared user @lias__. Bringing JB on board would have definitely elevated Usher's already great set but, alas, fate didn't have the Beliebers in mind for Super Bowl Sunday. 

Bieber did, however, take to Instagram the day after the Super Bowl to praise Usher in a heartfelt post. "LOVE YOU MY BROTHER NOONE CAN SING AND DANCE THE WAY YOU DO. LOVE YOU FROM THE DEPTHS OF MY HEART. BROUGHT THE "A" TO THE WORLD," he said.