Soundgarden and Taylor Momsen to Headline Seahawks Halftime Performance
Soundgarden will perform at the Seattle Seahawks' home opener on September 9, with Taylor Momsen of Pretty Reckless as guest vocalist. Pearl Jam's Mike McCready will play the national anthem before the game. The band is also mixing a final album of songs recorded with late singer Chris Cornell.
The September 9 halftime appearance marks a homecoming for Soundgarden, whose surviving members have deep Seattle roots. Momsen's involvement continues a relationship forged through tribute performances, including the 2019 Chris Cornell memorial concert and last year's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, where she sang "Rusty Cage" and "Black Hole Sun." McCready's anthem performance supports the Washington Innocence Project, adding a civic dimension to the entertainment lineup.
The Seahawks' celebration also includes a pregame concert by Luke Bryan, part of a Salute 250 event tied to the nation's semiquincentennial. Meanwhile, Soundgarden's forthcoming eight-track album, produced by Terry Date, draws on demos the band developed between 2013 and 2016, representing the final studio recordings with Cornell before his 2017 death.
This event could strengthen the cultural bond between Seattle's music legacy and its sports identity, potentially drawing younger fans to classic grunge acts through the NFL's massive platform. The halftime showcase may also reignite public interest in Soundgarden's unreleased material, possibly boosting album sales and streaming numbers. For Momsen, the exposure could expand her audience beyond rock circles. However, the emotional weight of performing without Cornell may resonate with longtime fans, shaping how the band's legacy is remembered in the broader cultural conversation.