Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones set to perform before the 2026 Super Bowl kickoff

Get ready for one of the most musically diverse Super Bowl pregame shows in recent memory.

The NFL has officially rolled out the star-studded lineup for the entertainment that precedes Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California. Pop powerhouse Charlie Puth, folk-rock icon Brandi Carlile, and R&B breakout star Coco Jones are set to take the stage at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

This trio of generational talent promises to deliver powerful, distinct voices to the biggest day in American sports.

Here’s what you need to know about the performers, the songs, and the controversy already brewing.

What Role Will Each Artist Play in the Pregame Show?

The three artists have been assigned the traditional patriotic and cultural segments that kick off the Super Bowl broadcast.

Each performance will also feature powerful American Sign Language (ASL) interpretations, continuing the NFL’s commitment to inclusivity on the world stage. The league, in collaboration with Roc Nation, has put together a lineup that is poised to be both spectacular and culturally resonant.

The big moment of the National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” will be sung by the Grammy-nominated multi-platinum singer and songwriter, Charlie Puth. Puth, whose global hits include “Attention” and “See You Again,” is known for his technical precision and perfect pitch.

Brandi Carlile, a legend with 11 Grammy wins, will follow with a rendition of “America the Beautiful.” Finally, rising R&B star Coco Jones will deliver “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black national anthem, a tradition the NFL introduced in 2021.

Charlie Puth’s Anthem: Can He Silence the Critics?

Charlie Puth’s announcement as the National Anthem performer immediately generated buzz, and not all of it was positive.

Some social media commentators quickly jumped in with criticism, unfavorably comparing his vocal style to legends like Whitney Houston. Puth, a Berklee College of Music-trained musician, didn’t shy away from the critique.

He addressed the backlash directly on X, stating, “I’ll never claim to be as good of a singer as Whitney Houston ever was.” However, he added a confident promise to fans: “But I assure you we’re putting a really special arrangement together—in D major. It’ll be one of my best vocal performances.” Puth’s expert reference to the key of D major underscored his technical mastery and served as a clap-back to doubters.

Puth also shared a humorous, yet instructional, video on Instagram breaking down the technical difficulties of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” He explained to fans and even a group of joking football players how the song’s extreme vocal range, spanning more than an octave, makes it notoriously hard to sing.

His upcoming performance comes right before the release of his highly anticipated fourth studio album, Whatever’s Clever!, due out in March 2026.

What Does Brandi Carlile Bring to “America the Beautiful”?

Eleven-time Grammy winner Brandi Carlile is celebrated as one of music’s most respected and emotional voices.

Her selection to perform “America the Beautiful” is a huge moment, continuing to blend the country and Americana genres with the massive Super Bowl platform. Carlile is an Oscar nominee, a two-time Emmy winner, and a New York Times Bestselling author and activist, making her a performer with significant cultural weight.

The performance lands right after a very busy period for the star. Carlile recently released her praised solo album, Returning to Myself, following her Grammy-nominated collaboration with Elton John, Who Believes in Angels? Known for her fierce advocacy and outspoken nature, Carlile’s presence on the field adds a dimension of artistic depth to the pregame ceremony.

Coco Jones Caps a Breakout Year with a Powerful Tribute

R&B star Coco Jones is set to continue her explosive ascent by performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

This performance follows a stellar run for Jones, who is also a multifaceted actress, currently starring as Hilary Banks on Peacock’s series Bel-Air. Her 2024 Grammy win for Best R&B Performance for her platinum hit “ICU” cemented her status as one of R&B’s leading new voices.

The NFL has highlighted her as a “generational talent,” and her performance adds a layer of cultural significance to the pre-game. Jones’s rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is poised to be a powerful and emotional moment for viewers worldwide.

Her performance precedes a potential win at the upcoming 2026 Grammy Awards, where she is nominated for Best R&B Album for her debut project, Why Not More?

Who is Headlining the Halftime Show?

While the pregame lineup is stacked, the Halftime Show headliner has also created plenty of headlines.

Taking on the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show is Puerto Rican global music sensation Bad Bunny. His performance, produced by Roc Nation, is already highly anticipated, promising to bring a historic mix of reggaeton and Latin trap energy to the stage.

Bad Bunny’s selection has garnered both massive praise and a degree of conservative backlash, but the NFL has stood firmly behind the decision. The league has emphasized that the choice reflects a deliberate strategy to reach younger, more diverse audiences.

What is the NFL’s Goal for Super Bowl LX Music?

The overall musical programming for Super Bowl LX is shaping up to be one of the most culturally expansive in the history of the event.

The NFL’s Senior Vice President of Global Event Production, Jon Barker, summarized the spirit of the event, stating, “Super Bowl Sunday is the world’s biggest entertainment stage, and we’re proud to spotlight artists who embody the very best of music and culture.” Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez echoed that sentiment, calling the trio “generational talents” who embody “the very best of culture, live performance, and our country, perfectly kicking off game day.”

The pregame show and the Super Bowl itself, which will air live on NBC, Telemundo, and Peacock, are officially locked and loaded for a monumental musical moment on February 8.

TL;DR

• Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile, and Coco Jones are the featured performers for the 2026 Super Bowl pregame show in Santa Clara.
• Charlie Puth will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” (National Anthem).
• Brandi Carlile will perform “America the Beautiful.”
• Coco Jones will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
• Puth defended his vocal choice for the anthem, promising a “really special arrangement—in D major” after receiving online criticism.
• Carlile’s performance follows a successful year, including a new solo album and a Grammy-nominated collaboration with Elton John.
• Jones is capping off her breakout year, which included a 2024 Grammy win for her hit “ICU.”
• All three performances, as well as the Halftime Show featuring Bad Bunny, will include extensive American Sign Language (ASL) interpretations.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.