Culture 4 min read By Morgan Griffin
Surviving Soundgarden members to reunite for NFL season opener halftime show
The surviving members of Soundgarden will reunite for the halftime show at the NFL season opener in Seattle on September 9, with Taylor Momsen on vocals and Mike McCready on guitar.
The surviving members of Soundgarden are set to reunite for a high-profile performance at the NFL season opener halftime show. Guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd, and drummer Matt Cameron will take the stage at Seattle’s Lumen Field on September 9, performing under the Soundgarden name with The Pretty Reckless frontwoman Taylor Momsen on vocals.
The grunge icons have rarely performed live since the death of frontman Chris Cornell in 2017. They came together for a tribute show for the singer in 2019, again in 2021 when they performed with Brandi Carlile, and in 2024 at a benefit event where they were fronted temporarily by Shaina Shepherd. At the end of 2025, Soundgarden were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the surviving members playing live at the ceremony alongside Cornell’s daughter, Lily.
The halftime show will take place during the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, which kicks off the NFL season at Lumen Field. The game will be shown on NBC and Peacock, although it is not yet confirmed whether the halftime show will be aired. Ahead of the game, Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready — who also performs with Matt Cameron in Pearl Jam — will play the National Anthem at the stadium and will join the Soundgarden lineup for the halftime performance.
Momsen is a lifelong fan of Chris Cornell and Soundgarden. She served as the opening act on the band’s final tour prior to Cornell’s death, was present at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, and joined them for the emotional tribute show held in Cornell’s memory. McCready also performed at the Hall of Fame ceremony, playing “Rusty Cage” on the night with the surviving members.
In other Soundgarden news, the band marked the eight-year anniversary of Cornell’s passing in May by hinting that they were working on a record of songs written in the period leading up to the singer’s death. That followed initial reports in 2023 that the band had settled a legal dispute with Cornell’s estate that included the rights to several unreleased songs. Since then, they have suggested they are “pretty close” to finishing the record and are currently getting it mixed and ready for release.
Over the spring, Shepherd spoke about the power of hearing Cornell’s vocals being brought back to life on the album, and Cameron made similar comments in September, saying it was “the most empowering thing in the world for me.” Momsen has shared her love of Cornell again recently and remained tight-lipped about whether she had heard the album. “Oh, man, I don’t think that’s my place to talk about. But what I will say though is that I love those guys. I’m so excited and proud of them and everything that they are doing, and just stay tuned,” she said.
She continued to share her admiration for the late singer: “Chris Cornell’s work speaks to me on a level that nothing else does. When something touches you that way, it’s hard to put into words just exactly why. There is just this connection, and it’s like it is speaking to you on a level that is so deep that it feels like a part of you. I’ve listened to his solo work and to Soundgarden so many times, but every time I listen to them, it evokes something different in me.”
