‘Saturday Night Live’ is feted with a concert in ages

New York – at the time Cher sang “If I Could Turn Back Time”, it seemed that time had really been returned, and every single “Saturday Night Live” musical guest of 50 years had magically found its way to radio City Music Music Hal.

Of course, it was only a smash. But “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” boasted by an epic lineup. It was an evening of memorable solo performances and often fascinating, disposable collaboration: Bonnie Raitt and Chris Martin. Arcade Fire, David Byrne, St. Vincent and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Post Malone and Nirvana.

The concert, which hosted Jimmy Fallon, was only an element of what has become a huge celebration of the show’s 50 years in existence, which led to Sunday’s “SNL50: The Jubilee Special”, Live from Studio 8H.

But Friday night was about music.

Some highlights:

The return of the 1990s

If a decade can win the night, let’s hear it in the 1990s. A classic performance from that decade was most likely to get the Radio City audience on their feet, sing along and pull out their phones to record.

Backstreet -boys turned out to be irresistible when they broke into “I want it that way.” Snoop Dogg may have sung “gin and juice”, but he was drawn by enough smoke to give nearby audience members a contact high.

Wearing a giant coat that fits a winter night, Lauryn Hill commanded the stage with Wyclef Jean and the crowd melted at the first notes of “killing me softly.”

Yes, (some) comics can make music

Of course, some previously “SNL” molded members repeated old characters with different levels of success.

Culps, the enclosed music teachers played by Will Ferrell and Ana Gastayer, hit harder and more fun than they ever did on the show. Their attempt to be current were fun, and they even worked in a few verses of “not like us” with a plea of ​​harmony between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.

Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell’s “Lazy Sunday” were welcome, but too short. Lady Gaga was a good sport that replaced Justin Timberlake to sing about a Christmas present whose title cannot be repeated here. But Bill Murray’s lounge singer “Foursome” routine with Gastayer, Maya Rudolph and Cecily Strong fell a little flat.

They love lorns

“Snl” creatures Lorne Michaels did not appear, but he was referred to the whole night long.

“I love you, Lorne Michaels,” Miley Cyrus declared and dedicated her hit song “Flowers” to the show’s founder.

Raitt that ended “I can’t make you love me,” thanked Michaels for having her on the show so many times.

“Let’s give it up to Lorne,” said former role crew Member Adam Sandler, introducing a collaboration between Post Malone and Nirvana. “We love you friend.”

And Marcus Mumford, lead singer of British Folk Band Mumford & Sons, said he was there to represent Michaels’ admirers from all over the pond.

Creative collapse

The night contained fascinating collaboration that gathered musicians of all kinds.

Cyrus collaborated with Brittany Howard to sing the Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”

Arcade Fire came together with David Byrne, St. Vincent and Preservation Hall Jazz Band to perform David Bowies “Heroes.” Byrne later also collaborated with Robyn in matching Khaki suits for “Dance on my own” and “This must be the place (naive tune).”

And for Raitt’s second song, she sat down with Chris Martin, the Coldplay -front man who became her pianist for “I can’t make you love me.”

In another collapse, the B-52s, along with “Love Shack” of past and current SNL role crew members Fred Armisen, Bowen Yang and Sarah Sherman and sang the “Bang Bang” texts.

Lady Gaga collaborated with herself, sang both parts of the “shallow” and brought the house down.

Most valuable player

Questlove is more associated with the “Tonight” show, but he turns out to be MVP for these “Saturday Night Live” anniversary festivals.

Not only produced the drummer The magnificent documentary On “SNL” musical heritage, but he effortlessly kept the rhythm with the roots, his legendary hip-hop group and “Tonight” Show House Band as they covered every imaginable style, from Snoop to Eddie Vedder to Brandi Carlile. Byrne bowed in appreciation.

No ‘joke’

Carlile has been known recently for his collaboration, especially luring Joni Mitchell back to the stage.

Friday night gave a reminder of her own artistry with the political climate and added a particularly urgent to her passionate version of “The Joke.”

Another Nirvana -Genforening

For the second time in so many weeks, the surviving members of Nirvana reunited.

Instead of the quartet of women who fronted the band for the fire aid concert, Malone took Kurt Cobain’s place on Friday.

Their version of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was tough, a reminder of why the song packed such a wallop when it was first heard.