Cher, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus & More Rock SNL’s 50th Anniversary Concert/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary was celebrated with a star-studded concert at Radio City Music Hall, featuring Cher, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg, and more. Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, the night showcased epic performances, nostalgic throwbacks, and unique collaborations, including Post Malone fronting Nirvana and Bonnie Raitt teaming up with Chris Martin. The celebration continues with Sunday’s live SNL 50th Anniversary Special from Studio 8H.
SNL 50th Anniversary Homecoming Concert: Quick Looks
Star-Studded Lineup Lights Up Radio City
- Cher performed “If I Could Turn Back Time,” bringing the crowd to its feet.
- Snoop Dogg, Miley Cyrus, and Lauryn Hill delivered nostalgic 90s hits.
- Lady Gaga stunned with a solo performance of “Shallow,” singing both parts.
- The Backstreet Boys got the audience singing along to “I Want It That Way.”
Unforgettable Collaborations
- Cyrus & Brittany Howard performed Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”
- Arcade Fire, David Byrne, and St. Vincent united for a David Bowie tribute.
- Bonnie Raitt teamed with Coldplay’s Chris Martin for “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”
- The B-52s’ “Love Shack” featured SNL’s Fred Armisen, Bowen Yang, and Sarah Sherman.
Comedians Take the Stage With Musical Bits
- Will Ferrell & Ana Gasteyer revived “The Culps” for a hilarious musical medley.
- Andy Samberg & Chris Parnell’s “Lazy Sunday” made a short but fun appearance.
- Bill Murray’s lounge singer act fell a bit flat, despite strong backup vocals.
Nirvana Reunion Shakes the Stage
- For the second time in weeks, surviving Nirvana members reunited.
- Post Malone took Kurt Cobain’s place for a fierce “Smells Like Teen Spirit” cover.
- Adam Sandler introduced the performance, showing love for Lorne Michaels.
Questlove Crowned the Night’s MVP
- The Roots’ drummer led multiple performances, proving his legendary status.
- Produced an SNL music documentary and provided flawless beats all night.
SNL’s 50th Anniversary Concert Brings Music Icons Together for a Night to Remember
Music & Comedy Unite for a Historic Celebration
Deep Look
Friday’s SNL50: Homecoming Concert at Radio City Music Hall was a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of Saturday Night Live’s musical legacy. Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, the event featured music legends and comedians who have graced the show’s stage over five decades.
The night’s highlights included stunning performances from Cher, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Snoop Dogg, as well as unique collaborations featuring David Byrne, Arcade Fire, St. Vincent, and more.
1990s Nostalgia Dominates the Night
If any decade won the night, it was the 1990s.
- The Backstreet Boys got the crowd singing with “I Want It That Way.”
- Lauryn Hill reunited with Wyclef Jean to perform “Killing Me Softly.”
- Snoop Dogg performed “Gin and Juice”—trailing enough smoke to fill Radio City.
Epic One-Time-Only Collaborations
SNL’s Homecoming Concert was packed with unforgettable musical pairings:
- Miley Cyrus & Brittany Howard: A powerful “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” cover.
- Bonnie Raitt & Chris Martin: A touching rendition of “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”
- David Byrne & Robyn: Matching khaki suits for “Dancing On My Own.”
- The B-52s & SNL Cast: A hilarious “Love Shack” with Fred Armisen, Bowen Yang, and Sarah Sherman.
Lady Gaga even collaborated with herself, performing both parts of “Shallow“ and bringing down the house.
Comedy Meets Music as SNL Alumni Take the Stage
Several former SNL cast members jumped in with musical tributes and skits:
- Will Ferrell & Ana Gasteyer’s “The Culps” nailed a hilarious mashup, even touching on Kendrick Lamar’s feud with Drake.
- Andy Samberg & Chris Parnell’s “Lazy Sunday” made a nostalgic return—though too short for some fans.
- Bill Murray’s lounge singer act fell flat, but Maya Rudolph and Cecily Strong’s harmonies impressed.
Nirvana’s Reunion With Post Malone Stuns the Crowd
The surviving members of Nirvana reunited for the second time in weeks, this time with Post Malone on lead vocals.
- Malone took on Kurt Cobain’s role in a powerful “Smells Like Teen Spirit” performance.
- Adam Sandler introduced the set, leading the crowd in a cheer for Lorne Michaels.
- The performance was raw, emotional, and a reminder of Nirvana’s impact.
Questlove’s Night to Shine
- The Roots’ drummer led multiple acts, proving to be the MVP of the celebration.
- Questlove’s SNL music documentary has already been a highlight of the 50th anniversary.
- His seamless transitions kept the night’s performances electric and unpredictable.
What’s Next? The SNL 50th Anniversary Special
Fans can expect:
- Star-studded sketches featuring former and current cast members.
- A tribute to Lorne Michaels, the man behind SNL’s 50-year legacy.
- More surprise musical guests and collaborations.
With one of the most legendary concert lineups in SNL history, the Homecoming Concert has set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable anniversary weekend.
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