Who Performed at the Super Bowl in Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to the 2019 Halftime Show and Events

When people ask, “Who performed at the Super Bowl in Atlanta?”, they’re almost always talking about Super Bowl LIII (53), played on February 3, 2019 at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

That game brought the NFL’s biggest stage back to Atlanta for the first time since the Georgia Dome era, and it came with a full lineup of performers, both inside the stadium and all around the city.

Below is a clear breakdown of who performed, what happened, and how it all fit into Atlanta’s music and entertainment scene.

Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta: The Main Performances

Halftime Show Performers

The official Super Bowl LIII halftime show in Atlanta featured:

• Maroon 5 – headlining act
• Travis Scott – guest performer
• Big Boi – guest performer and Atlanta hometown star

Big Boi’s appearance was especially significant for locals. As one half of Outkast, he helped carry Atlanta’s sound to the world, so seeing him take the stage at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium during the Super Bowl was a point of pride for many Atlantans.

What songs were performed?

While the exact set list isn’t usually what visitors remember, it generally included some of the biggest hits from the artists:

• Maroon 5 performed chart-topping songs like “Girls Like You,” “Sugar,” and “Moves Like Jagger,” along with other hits from their catalog.
• Travis Scott brought high energy with his hit “Sicko Mode.”
• Big Boi performed “The Way You Move” and brought a distinct Atlanta flavor to the halftime show, representing the city’s hip‑hop and Southern rap roots.

National Anthem and Pre‑Game Performances

In addition to the halftime show, there were key performances before kickoff:

• National Anthem:
  Gladys Knight, a legendary singer with deep Atlanta ties, performed “The Star‑Spangled Banner.”
  She’s known as the “Empress of Soul” and is closely connected to the city, including through her past ownership of Gladys Knight & Ron Winans’ Chicken & Waffles, a well‑known local brand.

• America the Beautiful:
  The song “America the Beautiful” was performed by Chloe x Halle, an R&B duo raised in the Atlanta area and discovered at a young age, further highlighting local talent.

These pre‑game performances took place on the field at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, right in the heart of downtown Atlanta, next to landmarks like State Farm Arena and the CNN Center.

Quick Reference: Who Performed at the Super Bowl in Atlanta?

Here is a simple overview of the major performers connected to Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta:

If you live in Atlanta, you’ll recognize how strongly these performers connect to the city’s music scene, especially Big Boi, Gladys Knight, and Chloe x Halle.

How Super Bowl LIII Fit into Atlanta’s Music Culture

Why Big Boi’s Performance Mattered to Atlanta

For many Atlantans, the most meaningful part of the halftime show was seeing Big Boi on the Super Bowl stage in his home city.

Atlanta has been a major hub for hip‑hop, R&B, and pop music for decades, with artists like:

• Outkast
• T.I.
• Ludacris
• Usher
• TLC
• Jermaine Dupri and So So Def artists

Big Boi’s appearance felt like a nod to that history, even though many locals wished more Atlanta artists had been involved in the halftime production.

Local Reaction to the Halftime Show

Among Atlanta residents and visitors, reactions to the halftime show were mixed:

• Some people enjoyed the big‑production performance and the combination of pop, hip‑hop, and local talent.
• Others felt Atlanta’s deep roster of artists wasn’t fully showcased, especially given the city’s long‑standing influence on modern music.

If you talk to locals around places like Little Five Points, East Atlanta Village, or along Auburn Avenue, you’ll often hear that Atlanta could have easily filled the entire halftime show with homegrown acts.

Super Bowl Events Around Atlanta During 2019

If you’re trying to understand “who performed at the Super Bowl in Atlanta” from a broader city view, it wasn’t just about the game. The week leading up to the Super Bowl turned much of downtown and Midtown into a festival.

Super Bowl Live at Centennial Olympic Park

In the days leading up to the game, Centennial Olympic Park (265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) hosted “Super Bowl Live”, a multi‑day fan festival with concerts and family‑friendly activities.

This series featured many performers, especially Atlanta and Georgia artists, curated with a strong local flavor. While lineups changed by day, shows generally included:

• Well‑known Atlanta hip‑hop and R&B voices
• Up‑and‑coming local performers
• DJs and hype hosts who kept crowds engaged

For Atlanta residents, this festival made the Super Bowl feel less like a one‑day national event and more like a full city‑wide celebration.

Other Concerts and Parties Around the City

During Super Bowl week, numerous venues across Atlanta hosted special events, for example:

• State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303) – large concerts and appearances often tied to major events like the Super Bowl.
• Tabernacle and Coca‑Cola Roxy – mid‑sized venues that often host touring acts, including Super Bowl‑week parties and concerts.
• Clubs and lounges in Midtown, Buckhead, and along Peachtree Street – many put on themed nights, DJ sets, and celebrity-hosted events.

If you’re visiting Atlanta during a major sports weekend in the future, you can often expect:

• Pop‑up concerts
• Special club performances
• Branded fan experiences around downtown and the stadium

Local media, the City of Atlanta website, and Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau listings are reliable ways to check who’s performing and where.

How to Explore Atlanta’s Super Bowl History Today

Even though Super Bowl LIII is over, you can still experience pieces of Atlanta’s Super Bowl and sports‑entertainment culture.

Visit Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
1 AMB Dr NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

The stadium offers tours that may highlight:

• The field where Super Bowl LIII was played
• Locker rooms and premium spaces
• Art installations and behind‑the‑scenes views

These tours give context for where artists like Maroon 5, Travis Scott, and Big Boi performed, and how the stadium is used for Falcons games, Atlanta United matches, concerts, and other major events.

📞 Stadium info line is typically available through the Atlanta Falcons / Mercedes‑Benz Stadium main offices.

Explore Atlanta’s Music Landmarks

If you’re interested in the artists connected to Super Bowl LIII and Atlanta’s broader music story, you might want to explore:

• The West End and Downtown – areas tied to Atlanta’s cultural and civil rights history, often referenced in local music.
• Little Five Points – known for its indie and alternative scene, record shops, and music‑friendly bars.
• Historic music venues like the Fox Theatre (660 Peachtree St NE) and Variety Playhouse (1099 Euclid Ave NE) that regularly host artists across genres.

While these aren’t directly part of the Super Bowl event, they help you understand why Atlanta was chosen to host such a major spectacle and why local artists were so central to the conversation.

Key Takeaways for Someone in Atlanta

If you’re in or visiting Atlanta and want a quick answer:

• The Super Bowl that took place in Atlanta was Super Bowl LIII (2019) at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.
• Halftime performers:Maroon 5 (headliner), Travis Scott, and Big Boi.
• National Anthem:Gladys Knight, an Atlanta‑connected soul icon.
• “America the Beautiful”:Chloe x Halle, raised in the Atlanta area.
• The city hosted Super Bowl Live at Centennial Olympic Park and many concerts, highlighting Atlanta’s role as a national music powerhouse.

For Atlantans, the Super Bowl was more than just a game; it was a moment where local music, culture, and identity were placed on one of the biggest stages in the world.