When the time inevitably comes each year for another Super Bowl, there’s no doubt that most people are just as invested in the halftime performances as they are in the actual football being played (It’s me, I’m most people).
So, in honor of Super Bowl LIX and an Eagles win, here’s a look at all of Banana Ball’s iconic halftime performances.
Pipe & Drum Band
The first ever Banana Ball halftime show came in 2021, when the Savannah Pipes & Drums Band made an appearance at Grayson Stadium.
The band marched onto the field as the players from both the Savannah Bananas and the Party Animals dispersed into the dugouts.
Savannah Pipes & Drums went onto perform a traditional Scottish bagpipe and drum show that brought a different flare to the game than what fans had been use to.
Though the halftime productions that fans see now in Bananaland are more intricate and choreographed, the appearance of the Savannah Pipes & Drums Band at a Banana Ball game signified the introduction of bigger entertainment pieces in games to come.
SpongeBob’s “Sweet Victory”
We’ve all seen it. Don’t lie, yes you have.
SpongeBob and the Superband’s quintessential performance at the Bubble Bowl cycles through everyone’s social media at least once a year. Squidward’s heart is beating faster and faster as he counts off the band that has been so haphazardly trained. He’s assuming the worst; that the performance will be a disaster and that his passion for music will die just as he will from embarrassment.
And then magic happens. SpongeBob and friends perform “Sweet Victory,” David Glen Eisley’s rock ballad, perfectly and the crowd goes wild.
That pretty much sums up how it happened in Bananaland in February of the 2024 World Tour.
The Bananas put on a rock concert for those at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a concert complete with trumpet bats, Bill Leroy on the keys, and of course, Bananaland’s Greatest Showman, Jackson Olson on the mic. Head Coach Tyler Gillum stood on home plate with a look of absolute admiration and pride. His team had seamlessly created a halftime show that had over 11,000 fans on their feet, singing and swaying along. The performance was complete with plumes of fog, a light show, and Party Animals Head Coach Mike Vavasis being carted off the field in disbelief at their flawless execution.
And yes, we’re still thinking about it too.
“Smooth Criminal” with LSU Tiger Girls
In March of the 2024 season, the Bananas and Party Animals traveled to Baton Rouge to play in front of one of college baseball’s biggest stages: Alex Box Stadium.
The LSU Tiger Girls Dance Team had just collected a national championship ring after their performance at UDA College Nationals to “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson. Their performance at what is widely known as the “Dance Super Bowl” took the internet by storm and garnered millions of views across various social media platforms in the days following the winning performance.
On that day, the Tiger Girls donned their iconic fedoras and matching white vests to kick off a Banana Ball halftime performance that was like no other. A few Bananas had some cameos as well, as the performance featured Entertainment Director, Zack Frongillo and Breakdancing First Base Coach, Maceo Harrison. Dakota “Stilts” Albritton also made an appearance, waving the iconic navy blue Bananas flag fans still see before games today.
The Banana boys flowed seamlessly into the Tiger Girls’ routine, and in black and yellow kilts, put their skills on full display.
@thesavbananas Replying to @LSU TIGER GIRLS Well, this aged well… 😎🕺 #lsutigers #geauxtigers #dancechallenge #smoothcriminal #savannahbananas #MLB
The fans at Alex Box ultimately bore witness to what will likely always be one of the most iconic Banana Ball halftime performances there ever will be. Editor’s note: Writer is an LSU alum.
“Miles on It” with Kane Brown
American Music Award Winner Kane Brown joined the Greatest Show in Sports for a halftime performance that staff is still thinking about. In May of 2024, just two months after an iconic halftime show in Alex Box Stadium, Banana Ball managed to put together yet another memorable show.
The country singer joined the Bananas and Party Animals on the field at a sold out Sutter Health Park.
Dressed in a famous yellow Bananas jersey, the 2024 Entertainer of the Year Nominee put on a show, and so did the two teams that joined him.
Standing on either side of the star, the Bananas and Party Animals did what they do best: dance.
The choreography matched each beat of the spirited song, and fans witnessing it live were on their feet dancing along with them.
Kane Brown’s appearance was a big win for Banana Ball and an even bigger win for Banana Ball fans who indulge in country jams.
One fan even shed a couple of tears.
@sammybaunanas This girls reaction to a surprise appearance by @kanebrown at the #savannahbananas game is all of us! #countrymusic #kanebrownmusic #fyp ♬ original sound - Sam Bauman
Kendrick + Taylor Mashup
In Banana Ball’s most recent halftime performance, Jackson Olson and Jason Swan embodied everything it meant to be a star.
The two worked as counterparts, as Jason embodied Kendrick Lamar and Jackson became Taylor Swift. Jackson and Jason paraded through the stands, and while being surrounded by over 13,000 fans (can someone fact check me on that number pls), sang along to their respective parts.
The mashup, “Not Like Us x Bad Blood,” was curated by DJ Ricky Barrera and went viral on social media just a few weeks before Super Bowl LIX and Kendrick’s anticipated halftime performance.
Jackson and Jason made their way to the field, where they joined the rest of their teams. From there, it was a full on concert. Banana Ball’s entertainment team choreographed a group number that hit every beat of the mashup, and there wasn’t a single player that wasn’t in on the action. The Bananas and Party Animals came together without missing a step. The performance ended with both teams in a uniform power stance and an eruption of applause from the crowd.
Halftime shows in Bananaland seem to get more iconic with each performance. With the 2025 Banana Ball World Tour just beginning, there’s no doubt that the best has yet to come. Super Bowl LX, y’all need halftime show performers?
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