Kid Rock fronts Turning Point USA alternative halftime show during Super Bowl broadcast
The concert was streamed online after failing to secure wider livestream licensing
Kid Rock headlined Turning Point USA’s alternative “All American” Halftime Show on Sunday, staged in parallel with Bad Bunny’s official Super Bowl performance and promoted as a protest against the NFL’s choice of halftime act.
The concert was streamed online as Bad Bunny appeared at the Super Bowl, with TPUSA encouraging viewers to tune in via YouTube after failing to secure wider livestream licensing.
The show featured performances from Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett, delivering nearly half an hour of country music framed around patriotic and religious themes. It opened shortly after 8 pm ET with an electric guitar rendition of “Star Spangled Banner” before Gilbert, wearing a “God Family Country” T-shirt, took the stage and said “this is real America” as he launched into “Real American”.
Lee Brice followed with remarks honouring assassinated TPUSA co-founder Charlie Kirk, saying the right-wing activist “gave people microphones so they could say what’s on their mind, this is what’s on mine,” before performing “Country Nowadays”. The song includes lyrics referencing gender identity and small-town values. Gabby Barrett later performed her multiplatinum singles “I Hope” and “The Good Ones”, delivering one of the more polished sets of the evening.
Kid Rock appeared near the end of the broadcast wearing a black shirt and shorts, beginning with “Bawitdaba” while the recorded track played prominently. After an extended string duo segment, he returned under his given name, Robert Ritchie, wearing slacks to perform a cover of Cody Johnson’s “Til You Can’t”. The show concluded with a video tribute to Kirk, featuring archival quotes and footage.
Before the event, TPUSA said the show would have “no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family and freedom”. Kid Rock added, “We’re approaching this show like David and Goliath. Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible … or is it?”
The livestream peaked at nearly five million viewers. Bad Bunny’s official halftime show aired to a far larger global audience, underscoring the contrasting reach and impact of the two broadcasts.
