It had all the makings of a great Super Bowl halftime show. Popular Musical Group – Check. Flashy Effects – Check. Multitudes of Backup Dancers – Check. Amazing Guest Performers – Check. Funny how something as insignificant as, I don’t know, microphones can turn a performance from blockbuster to lackluster. Super Bowl life lesson for the Black Eyed Peas in 2011? Always triple check your sound system!

I honestly think that without the microphone snafu, this show would have been pretty epic. I was immediately impressed that the group wasn’t lip-syncing – at least as far as I could tell. They are known for high-energy songs and dances. To perform with as much vigor as they did and still be able to belt out a tune is pretty impressive. Complicated runs, long notes and fancy footwork don’t always mix well but I really think The Black Eyed Peas could have pulled it off – it’s just too bad we couldn’t really hear them.

As always, the group dressed the part. Fergie was even sporting a sparkly football shoulder pad-type number and lace up wedge boots that reminded me of old-school football shoes. I’m not sure I would wear either one, but they definitely seemed well placed during a Super Bowl halftime show. (For anyone who may be wondering, the boots are not a part of Fergie’s shoe line, at least as far as I could tell! Maybe next year?)

Regardless of the sound quality of the performance, you have to admit that the visual aspect was incredible. The lighted outfits, energetic dances, superstar guest musicians, wild entries and moving stages created a visual smorgasbord that was fun to watch. All in all, I think it was a great performance made mediocre by an unfortunate, but avoidable, misstep.