Super Bowl LX | On the Fifty

Curating the atmosphere inside the most exclusive pregame in football.

For the second time, I had the privilege of DJing On Location’s On the Fifty pre-game experience, performing directly on the field before kickoff, surrounded by the energy of the biggest sporting event in the world. Walking onto the turf early that morning, before the stadium fully came alive, is always surreal. By the time guests arrived, that calm transformed into a full-scale atmosphere, one built on anticipation, movement, and shared excitement.

Pregame music has a unique responsibility. Guests are arriving from around the world, many experiencing field access for the first time. The soundtrack has to feel elevated yet familiar, energetic without overpowering conversation, and seamlessly transition as the event evolves from daytime hospitality into peak game energy. Every adjustment matters. Tempo, genre shifts, and timing all influence how the space feels.

What makes On the Fifty special is the precision behind the scenes. The production, operations, and hospitality teams operate at an elite level, allowing the experience to feel effortless for everyone attending. My job is simply to support that flow musically and keep the environment alive without ever distracting from the moment.

As kickoff approached, the stadium atmosphere reached another level.And then came the halftime show.

Bad Bunny delivered a performance that instantly shifted the energy of the entire building. The reaction from the crowd was immediate and global in feeling. You could sense people realizing they were witnessing something memorable in real time.

Performing at the Super Bowl always carries weight, but returning to the same experience again adds a different layer of appreciation. Familiar faces, trusted collaboration, and a deeper understanding of the rhythm of the event allow the performance to feel more natural and more intentional.

Grateful to once again contribute to an environment of this scale and care.These are the kinds of experiences that stay with you long after the music stops.

— Johnny Hawkes