From the Halftime Show to the Hiking Trail: Why Love Is the Loudest Voice
You know those rare moments when pop culture gets it right — like, really right? When it’s more than just glitter and big beats, and instead becomes this shared, goosebump-y reminder of what we actually value? That was the vibe at Super Bowl LX, when music took center field and basically shouted (with perfect harmonies): love is stronger than hate.
Led by Benito Ocasio (not “Bad Bunny” this time, but his real name, worn proudly across his jersey), the 2026 halftime show didn’t just bring the party. It brought a message. And the rest of the game’s musical acts? They didn’t miss either.
Let’s talk about why this year’s Super Bowl playlist felt less like a chance to grab more snacks and more like a cultural reset. Spoiler: it’s got everything to do with love, identity, community… and yes, even a little nature.
Why He Went by Benito (and Why That Matters)
If you’re used to calling him Bad Bunny, you might’ve been surprised to see “OCASIO” stretched across the back of his jersey. That’s Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — and that name choice? Completely intentional.
Benito stepping out as himself — not just the superstar persona — felt like a nod to something bigger. A reminder that joy, resistance, and identity aren’t things to perform; they’re things to live. He wasn’t there to play a character. He was there to represent real people, real roots, and a real belief in the power of connection.
And it showed.
"LOVE IS STRONGER THAN HATE.”
Benito’s set — with all its color, movement, and joyfulness — told a story of inclusivity that stretched far beyond the 50-yard line. At one point, he shouted out places across all the Americas — from Chile to Canada, from Mexico to Puerto Rico (a U.S. territory, lest anyone forget) — reminding millions that “America” isn’t just one country’s name, but a whole hemisphere’s drumbeat.
We’re talking about a guy who staged an on-field wedding during his set, for crying out loud. This wasn’t just entertainment. It was a reclamation of joy. Of family. Of love.
A Full Roster of Musical Allies
It wasn’t just Benito who made the message loud and clear. The whole musical lineup felt like the NFL saying, “Hey, let’s actually mean what we say about unity.”
• Brandi Carlile (one of my all-time faves) brought her powerhouse vocals and LGBTQ+ icon energy to a moving rendition of America the Beautiful, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it felt to me like a prayer whispered into the mic.
• Coco Jones delivered Lift Every Voice and Sing with so much grace and power it gave me chills. That song, often called the Black national anthem, isn’t just symbolic. It’s grounding.
• Charlie Puth sang the national anthem, and for once it didn’t feel like a belt-it-out contest. It felt honest. Tender. Kinda like he knew we needed a moment of pause before kickoff.
• And Green Day cracked the whole thing open with a pre-game medley that somehow made punk rock feel like church — righteous, alive, and a little bit angry in all the right ways.
These weren’t just performances. They were love letters — to identity, community, protest, and pride.
Yeah, There Was “Another Show” — But This One Was the Real Deal
Okay, yes, we all had heard about a so-called “all-American” concert pushed by the far-right as a counter to the NFL’s main event. I did not watch it (and won’t), but I understand that it featured a much different vibe, let’s say. More slogans, less soul.
But here’s the thing: the real Super Bowl show didn’t clap back. It didn’t have to. It just sang louder. It danced harder. It told the truth more beautifully.
If one show was trying to take us backward, this one said: let’s move forward — together.
What This Has to Do with the Outdoors (Stay With Me, Field Trippers)
If you’ve ever stepped into a healthy forest, you’ve seen this concept in action. Biodiversity makes ecosystems resilient. Everything — from the tiniest fungus to the tallest tree — plays a role. Nothing thrives in isolation.
That’s the metaphor, right? This halftime show felt like an ecosystem in full bloom. Different voices, different cultures, different histories — all working in harmony to make something stronger than the sum of its parts.
The message wasn’t just “inclusion is nice.” It was: inclusion is necessary. Just like in nature. Just like on the trail. Just like in life.
So, What Do We Do With All This? We remember that love is action. It’s showing up. It’s listening. It’s lifting others up. It’s honoring identity, defending dignity, and yes — throwing a stadium-sized dance party that invites everyone in.
The NFL got it right this year. That’s what Benito and Brandi and Coco and Charlie and Green Day gave us. Here’s to building a world where everyone belongs.
