By the point Cher sang “If I Could Turn Back Time,” it appeared as if time had certainly been turned again, and each single “Saturday Night Live” musical visitor of fifty years had magically discovered their solution to Radio Metropolis Music Corridor.
In fact, it was solely a smattering. However “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” boasted an epic lineup. It was a night of memorable solo performances and infrequently fascinating, one-time-only collaborations: Bonnie Raitt and Chris Martin. Arcade Hearth, David Byrne, St. Vincent and the Preservation Corridor Jazz Band. Publish Malone and Nirvana.
The live performance, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, was just one factor of what has turn into an infinite celebration of the present’s 50 years in existence, main as much as Sunday’s “SNL50: The Anniversary Particular,” stay from Studio 8H.
However Friday night time was all about music.
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Pictured: (l-r) Andy Samberg, Woman Gaga carry out on Friday, February 14, 2025 — (Photograph by: Theo Wargo/Peacock through Getty Photographs)
Some highlights:
Return of the Nineteen Nineties
If a decade can win the night time, let’s hear it for the Nineteen Nineties. A traditional efficiency from that decade was almost certainly to get the Radio Metropolis viewers on its ft, singing alongside and pulling out their telephones to report.
The Backstreet Boys proved irresistible once they broke into “I Want it That Way.” Snoop Dogg could have sung “Gin and Juice,” however he was trailed by sufficient smoke to provide close by viewers members a contact excessive.
Sporting a huge coat befitting a winter night time, Lauryn Hill commanded the stage with Wyclef Jean and the gang melted on the first notes of “Killing Me Softly.”
Sure, (some) comics can do music
Naturally, some former “SNL” forged members reprised previous characters, with various ranges of success.
The Culps, the stuffy music lecturers performed by Will Ferrell and Ana Gastayer, hit tougher and funnier than they ever did on the present. Their makes an attempt at being present had been hilarious they usually even labored in a couple of verses of “Not Like Us,” with a plea for concord between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell’s “Lazy Sunday” was welcome, however too brief. Woman Gaga was a very good sport, changing Justin Timberlake to sing a couple of Christmas reward whose title cannot be repeated right here. However Invoice Murray’s lounge singer “foursome” routine with Gastayer, Maya Rudolph and Cecily Sturdy fell a bit flat.
They love Lorne
“SNL” creator Lorne Michaels didn’t carry out, however he was referred to all night time lengthy.
“I love you, Lorne Michaels,” declared Miley Cyrus, dedicating her hit track “Flowers” to the present’s founder.
Raitt, ending “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” thanked Michaels for having her on the present so many occasions.
“Let’s give it up for Lorne,” stated former forged member Adam Sandler, introducing a collaboration between Publish Malone and Nirvana. “We love you buddy.”
And Marcus Mumford, lead singer of the British folks band Mumford & Sons, stated he was there to signify Michaels’ admirers from throughout the pond.
Inventive collabs
The night time featured fascinating collaborations that introduced collectively musicians of every kind.
Cyrus teamed with Brittany Howard to sing Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”
Arcade Hearth joined with David Byrne, St. Vincent and the Preservation Corridor Jazz Band to carry out David Bowie’s “Heroes.” Byrne later additionally collaborated with Robyn, in matching khaki fits, for “Dancing On My Own” and “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody).”
And for Raitt’s second track, she sat down with Chris Martin, the Coldplay frontman who turned her pianist for “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”
In one other collab of types, the B-52s had been joined on “Love Shack” by former and present SNL forged members Fred Armisen, Bowen Yang and Sarah Sherman, singing the “bang bang” lyrics.
Woman Gaga collaborated with herself, singing each elements of “Shallow” and bringing down the home.
Most precious participant
Questlove is extra related to the “Tonight” present, however he’s proving to be the MVP of those “Saturday Night Live” anniversary festivities.
Not solely did the drummer produce the luxurious documentary on the “SNL” musical legacy, however he effortlessly saved the beat with The Roots, his legendary hip-hop group and “Tonight” present home band, as they coated each fashion possible, from Snoop to Eddie Vedder to Brandi Carlile. Byrne bowed in appreciation.
No ‘Joke’
Carlile has turn into recognized currently for her collaborations, most notably coaxing Joni Mitchell again to the stage.
Friday night time offered a reminder of her personal artistry with the political local weather including a particular urgency to her impassioned model of “The Joke.”
A second Nirvana reunion
For the second time in as many weeks, the surviving members of Nirvana reunited.
Relatively than the quartet of ladies who fronted the band for the Hearth Support live performance, Malone took Kurt Cobain’s place on Friday.
Their model of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was fierce, a reminder of why the track packed such a wallop when it was first heard.
