Everything That Happened at the SNL50 Concert

Are you aware that it’s Saturday Night Live’s birthday weekend? Ahead of the NBC show’s 50th anniversary special, the pre-festivities began with SNL50’s homecoming concert at Radio City Music Hall on Valentine’s Day. Host Jimmy Fallon explained why he got the gig during his opening monologue: “Well, it’s awards season, which means I got nothing going on right now.” And sure, there were no actual awards being presented (sorry, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson), but it did feel like someone was winning all night: us. At least, those of us who are fans of the long list of singers, SNL cast members, and famous friends who showed up on stage and in the audience. Below, highlights from the three-hour musical bash, including Lady Gaga lending her voice to a Lonely Island medley, Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer covering “Not Like Us” as the Culps, David Byrne and Robyn dancing with each other to “Dancing On My Own,” and more.

Jimmy Fallon was just being honest.

A slightly-out-of-breath Fallon compared to SNL in a monologue right after he opened the show singing and dancing in a Blues Brothers tribute backed by the Roots. His honesty continued throughout the show; at one point, he quipped, “This is exciting — there are thousands of people here, and hundreds watching on Peacock.”

Miley Cyrus gently called the crowd out.

Miley Cyrus playfully encourages SNL 50 audience to sing along to “Flowers” with her:

“Are y’all doing that Grammys thing where you guys are famous and shit and don’t sing along? Excuse my language.” pic.twitter.com/zMB2SKgtqB

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) February 15, 2025

If you’re not singing along when she has the mic? You can love her better, you can love her better, baby.

Steven Spielberg checked on the cameras during Bad Bunny’s set.

everyone else watching the bad bunny performance but spielberg is checking out the dolly set-up for the livestream instead im cryinggg he just can’t turn it off pic.twitter.com/GEKtOgebyF

— arden (@pavlyndon) February 15, 2025

He just wanted to make sure Benito’s performance was being filmed in the best way possible, okay?

Bill Murray’s Nick the Lounge Singer hard-launched his relationship(s).

As Paul Shaffer played the piano, Murray’s Nick Valentine revealed his love for Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph, and a pregnant Cecily Strong.

Bowen Yang and Sarah Sherman ‘banged’ for the B-52s.

And Sandra Oh helped out from the audience.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson thought this was an awards show.

Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson walk out from #SNL50 concert after Jimmy Fallon says no awards will be handed out 🤭🤭🤭 pic.twitter.com/a6yKqM2D8T

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) February 15, 2025

‘Tis the reason for the (awards) season.

Backstreet’s back.

No one can say their mics weren’t on. The band had a bunch of famous faces swaying to “I Want It That Way,” and even got Jerry Springer to sing.

Lady Gaga put her what in a box?

Her “Dick in a Box,” duh. She joined Andy Samberg to kick off a Lonely Island medley that also featured Bad Bunny, T-Pain, Chris Parnell yelling MUSTARRRRRD, Jorma Taccone, and Eddie Vedder. (And yes, there was a literal box strapped onto Gaga by the end of the number.)

Short ‘n’ Streep fueled the rumors.

meryl streep and martin short attending the #SNL50 homecoming concert!! pic.twitter.com/EpMmyHcsH1

— 𝗲𝘃𝗮✨ (@kellmanstreep) February 15, 2025

meryl streep flipping the finger is simply everything !! (+ look at how he’s looking at her) pic.twitter.com/mxIW4fxUlC

— véro // ✽ (@vlovesemma) February 15, 2025

meryl streep and martin short vibing to snoop dogg what timeline are we in pic.twitter.com/qbTmXKx7MC

— 𝗲𝘃𝗮✨ (@kellmanstreep) February 15, 2025

We’re not saying Meryl Streep and Martin Short were treating this as a Valentine’s Day date, but we’re not not saying that.

Lauryn Hill was right on time.

#SNLHomecoming Ms. Lauryn Hill wraps up her set with Killing Me Softly With His Song pic.twitter.com/rGsknGrClN

— LateNighter (@latenightercom) February 15, 2025

Joining Wyclef Jean to perform “Lost Ones,” “Ex-Factor,” “911,” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”

The Culps weighed in on the Kendrick/Drake beef…

Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer as Marty Culp and Bobbi Mohan-Culp perform Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” during #SNL50‘s Homecoming Concert 👀pic.twitter.com/CimtkrYNeB

— Saturday Night Network (@thesnlnetwork) February 15, 2025

Maybe it’s a good thing that Peacock isn’t available in Canada? After performing “Not Like Us” with Ana Gasteyer’s Bobbi Mohan-Culp, Will Ferrell’s Marty Culp called for peace: “Are Kenny Lamar and Drake Graham in the house, by the way? Maybe you two can hug it out tonight in the name of love and fellowship. No? Not in hell?”

… and tried Doechii’s breathing exercises.

Will Ferrell & Ana Gasteyer as Marty Culp and Bobbi Mohan-Culp perform “DENIAL IS A RIVER” by Doechii on #SNL50HomecomingConcert. pic.twitter.com/GC0XDjEdGA

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) February 15, 2025

The duo performed Doechii’s “Denial Is a River” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” in a medley of hits that also included “Work Bitch” by Britney Spears, “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan, “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras, and “Body” by Megan Thee Stallion.

Post Malone fronted Nirvana.

Nirvana’s surviving members reunited alongside Post Malone to perform “Smells Like Teen Spirit” at SNL’s 50th anniversary concert.pic.twitter.com/wdF4Nxsnv4

— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) February 15, 2025

We knew that Post and Dave Grohl were coming to the concert, but Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear’s surprise appearances turned this into a reunion of all surviving members of the band.

Robyn and David Byrne danced together to “Dancing On My Own.”

Robyn performs ‘Dancing On My Own’ with David Byrne #SNLHomecoming #SNL50 pic.twitter.com/rlNIS99xCh

— LateNighter (@latenightercom) February 15, 2025

In matching suits, no less.

Beyoncé and Prince made a special appearance.

Okay, it was Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen reprising their impressions. Prince was feeling shy until it was time to Cher who the next performer was.

Kevin Costner couldn’t help but stare at Cher.

Get someone who looks at you like Kevin Costner looks at Cher performing on the #SNLHomecoming #SNL50 concert special. pic.twitter.com/2UxE1wxfTF

— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) February 15, 2025

Even Lorne Michaels was singing along.

Finally, Jack White and his band had the last performance of the night.

Jack White closed out SNL’s 50th anniversary concert by performing “Seven Nation Army”pic.twitter.com/Xl4Y9zLdZy

— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) February 15, 2025

Which meant that the last lyrics the crowd heard before it was time to head home were, fittingly, ‘Tell me, go back home.”

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