Harry Connick Jr. Opens Super Bowl LIX With Festive ‘Go to the Mardi Gras’ Performance

Super Bowl LIX opened with a bang. Before the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles hit the field at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday (Feb. 9), Lady Gaga performed her Top Gun tune “Hold My Hand” surrounded by rapt revelers on the city’s infamous Bourbon Street. Her performance honored victims of the Jan. 1 terrorist attack that took place on the tourist-heavy street, as well as victims of Hurricane Helene and the Los Angeles wildfires.

After Gaga, a visual and aural feast of New Orleans sights and sounds took over the field on at the Superdome thanks to the Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band, who demonstrated that the musicianship in the state of Louisiana is second to none. They paraded around the field in Mardi Gras purple, yellow and green as audio bits of “Explode” by NOLA musical legend Big Freedia blasted over the speakers in a nod to the city’s bounce music scene.

The performance capped off with a surprise appearance from a local legend: Harry Connick Jr. The crooner stood bent over an upright piano while singing a rousing, all-smiles version of “Go to the Mardi Gras” by the late, great Professor Longhair, with the marching band providing punchy support on the horns. Connick Jr. was born and raised in Crescent City, and his vocal delivery on the Mardi Gras anthem had more than a hint of the Louisiana accent you don’t usually hear on his studio material.

For the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show, Kendrick Lamar and special guest SZA are set to hit the stage for one of the most anticipated sets in years.