Fans who will be dialed in to see who goes to Super Bowl LVIII won’t have to wait until the big game to be entertained by the national anthem or halftime performers.
In the case of the NFC Championship Game between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium, the contest will feature some intriguing pregame and middle-of-the-game entertainment as the 49ers announce their performer lineup.
Beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by @LuisFonsi! 👏
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 28, 2024
Musical Performances for Lions vs. 49ers
Santa Clara will hear the sounds of the following artists:
- Country music star Nate Smith for the pregame festivities.
- Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi for the national anthem.
- At halftime, legendary rock group Journey will perform.
It’s an eclectic lineup ahead of the NFC title game, but one surely to win over a diverse audience that’s expected for the Santa Clara venue.
Smith, 38, will more than likely draw a Northern California audience in. He hails out of Paradise, California, in Butte County. Smith began to rise to fame during the tragic 2018 Paradise Wildfire that decimated the entire community, which included Smith losing his home.
That tragedy helped inspire his hit “One of These Days.” Two other notable hits from Smith are “Whiskey on You” and “World on Fire.”
Fonsi, 45, is a singer-songwriter who began his career in 1997. He’s a two-time American Music Awards winner in 2017 for his work on the song “Despacito” alongside Puerto Rican Reggaeton legend Daddy Yankee and pop singer Justin Bieber. Fonsi is also a five-time Billboard Music Award winner.
The halftime performers, though, have a long history of association with the 49ers.
Journey and Their Tie-In to the San Francisco 49ers
Fans of rock music from the 1970s and 1980s will likely have some nostalgia when Journey takes midfield. Niners fans will have even more vivid memories — as Journey has long had a strong connection to the franchise.
The band was originally assembled in 1973 in San Francisco, giving the legendary group their Bay Area roots. Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana, who’s a San Fran native himself, was among the first to form the band.
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The group rose to fame starting in 1978 and throughout the 1980s era of soft rock. The 80s was also the period of the 49ers’ run of dominance after capturing four Vince Lombardi Trophies. From there, the connection between Journey and the Niners launched.
While the world tuned into the 1981 smash hit “Don’t Stop Believing,” the song became popularized during home games at both Candlestick Park and Levi’s.
Guess what song went through the speakers once the 49ers secured the 2019 NFC Championship over the Green Bay Packers?
But “Don’t Stop Believing” isn’t the only song that holds a special connection to the franchise.
Journey’s 1978 hit “Lights” used to get blared through the speakers at the old Candlestick Park after every game. That song, fittingly, got played at the final home game ever at the San Francisco venue. “Lights” is still played at Levi’s Stadium, usually after a 49ers win.
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