During halftime of perhaps one of the best Super Bowls ever, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers took stage at midfield to perform a short, but enjoyable four song set.

The group illustrated the full measure of its unassuming powers Sunday by eschewing the medleys that have become standard at these shows in favor of an unadulterated four-song mini-set that showed its considerable range, opening with the driving “American Girl,” striking a mid-tempo but defiant tone with “I Won’t Back Down,” veering off into the psychedelic ether with the lilting “Free Fallin’” and then going out with a bang again on “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”

There was no high-tech tomfoolery, just a cooled lighted stage that looked like a Flying V guitar piercing a big red heart. There were no lasers or major explosions, just hand-held flashlights given to the crowd. And there were no eye-candy dancers, just some very road-worn musicians in matching black suit coats backing a singer who looked every bit of his 57 years, all playing precisely but passionately.

[Chicago Sun Times]

I’ve got to say, I enjoyed Prince better.

Petty and company will be at Summerfest.

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Categories: News, Watch
Tags: Tom Petty