By the time Shell sang “I hope I can come back,” it looked like time had returned, and every musical guest from 50 years of “Saturday Night Live” magically went to Radio City Music Hall I found the way.
Of course, it was just a small part. However, “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” boasted an epic lineup. It was a memorable night of solo performances, and it was often a fascinating, one-off collaboration: Bonnie Raitt and Chris Martin. Arcade Fire, David Byrne, St. Vincent, and the preserved hole jazz band. Post Malone and Nirvana.
The concert, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, was just one of the things that has become a big celebration of the show’s 50 years of existence, leading to “SNL50: Anniversary Special” on Sunday, Live from Studio 8H.
But Friday nights were all about music.
Getty Photo: (LR) Andy Samberg, Lady Gaga will perform on Friday, February 14th, 2025 – (Photo: Theo Wargo/Peacock via Getty Images)
Some highlights:
Return of the 1990s
If 10 years can win the night, ask in the 1990s. That decade’s classic performance was most likely to launch Radio City viewers, sing along and pull out their phones and record them.
The boys on Backstreet proved attractive when they broke, “I want it that way.” Snoop Dogg may have sang “Gin and Juice,” but he was forced into enough smoke to make contacts look high to nearby audiences.
Dressed in a huge coat worthy of a winter night, Lauryn Hill conducted the stage with Waikhu Jean, and the crowd melted with the first note, “I’ll kill me gently.”
Yes (some) comics can do music
Naturally, some of the original “SNL” cast members recreate old characters and have different levels of success.
Calpus, a stifling music teacher played by Will Ferrell and Anna Gasteyer, has become more intense and interesting than he’s ever done on the show. Their latest attempts were hilarious, and they even worked in some poems “Not Like Us” that lamented the harmony of Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell’s “Lazy Sunday” was much appreciated, but it was too short. Lady Gaga is a good sport and on behalf of Justin Timberlake, he sang about a Christmas gift that cannot be repeated here titles. However, Bill Murray’s lounge singer “Foursome” routine has been a bit flattened by Gasteier, Mayardolph and Cecily Strong.
They love loans
Lorne Michaels, creator of “SNL,” did not perform, but he was featured all night.
“Love You, Lorne Michaels,” declared Miley Cyrus, dedicated his hit song “Flowers” to the show’s founder.
After finishing “I Can’t Love You,” I thanked Michaels for taking part in the show multiple times.
“Let’s give up that for the loan,” former cast member Adam Sandler introduced the Post Malone and Nirvana collaboration. “We love you.”
And Marcus Mumford, the lead singer of British folk band Mumford & Sons, said he was there from across the pond to represent Michaels’ admirers.
Creative collaboration
The evening featured a fascinating collaboration featuring musicians of all kinds.
Cyrus worked with Brittany Howard to sing “A crazy little thing called love.”
Arcade Fire is David Byrne, St. He performed David Bowie’s “Heroes” along with Vincent and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Byrne later worked with Robin to match the khaki suits, “dancing myself” and “this must be a place (naive melody).”
And for Raitt’s second song, she sat down with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who became her pianist for “I Don’t Love You.”
In another type of collaboration, the B-52 took part in “Love Shack” with former and current SNL cast members Fred Armisen, Bowenyan and Sarah Shaman singing the lyrics to “Bang Bang Bang.”
Lady Gaga collaborated with herself to sing both parts of “shallow” and defeated the house.
Most valuable player
Questlove is associated with the “Tonight” show, but he has proven to be the MVP of these “Saturday Night Live” anniversary festivals.
The drummer has produced an incredible documentary on the heritage of “SNL” music, but also covers every style you can imagine from Snoop, and beats with his roots, his legendary hip-hop group, “Tonight” showhouse band. It was kept easy. Eddie Vedder to Brandi Carlile. Byrne bowed in gratitude.
There are no “jokes”
Carlisle has recently become known for her collaboration, bringing Joni Mitchell back on stage in particular.
On Friday night, her political environment provided a reminder that she added a special urgency to her passionate version of The Joke.
Second Nirvana reunion
For the second time in a few weeks, Nirvana’s surviving members were reunited.
Malone stolen Kurt Cobain’s location on Friday.
Their “smelling teen spirit” version was intense. This reminds me of why the song stuffed such a wallop when it was first heard.
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