Why did some fans criticize Bruce Springsteen’s Super Bowl halftime performance?

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Bruce Springsteen plays an acoustic guitar and sings into a microphone on stage at the New York Film Festival Spotlight Gala. — Bruce Springsteen American rock musician Bruce Springsteen performs at the New York Film Festival Spotlight Gala at Alice Tully Hall in New York City, 2025. The gala featured a screening of *Deliver Me from Nowhere* (2025), a biopic centering on the making of Springsteen's 1982 album *Nebraska*.

Following his performance at the Super Bowl XLIII halftime show in 2009, some fans and members of the press criticized Bruce Springsteen for what they perceived as the commercialization of his artistry by participating in such a high-profile, mainstream event.1

Despite this initial backlash, the performance was ultimately viewed as a success. It was widely agreed that Springsteen effectively condensed the humor, athleticism, and core message of his live concerts into the 12-minute time slot, demonstrating that he remained committed to sustaining his creative vitality and ambition.1