Rusty Weiss
The NCAA men’s basketball national championship game between UConn and Michigan got off to an unforgettable start Monday night in Indianapolis. Local band Soul Lounge delivered a powerful, and as their name would indicate, soulful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The crowd, both in the arena and at home, was instantly captivated.
The Indianapolis-based group, known for their energetic live performances and large social media following, took center court moments before tip-off and sent chills through thousands of fans with their moving rendition of the anthem.
It softened even the most hardened of hearts, including UConn head coach Dan Hurley, a borderline madman. Hurley and his players were seen singing along enthusiastically, while the performance earned an immediate standing ovation.
Go ahead. Tell me you don’t want to run through a wall to profess your American pride after watching this performance.
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM š¤š¤©#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/RvTrwCCzCu
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2026
Soul Lounge National Anthem Lights Up March Madness Championship
Social media quickly lit up with praise for the soulful delivery, sparking widespread calls to feature the performers at even bigger stages. Fans flooded platforms with demands to “book them for the Super Bowl” and suggestions for other major events, including the World Cup.
“Absolutely INCREDIBLE National Anthem! 15/10. What a start to the National Championship!” one smitten fan wrote on X.
“Soul (Lounge) just delivered the most moving national anthem I have ever heard,” another reacted. “Can we book them for the Super Bowl?”
Absolutely beautiful!!! šŗšøš https://t.co/K2lYv2w7Oo
— Lisa18 (@09lisa18) April 7, 2026
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Whether or not the soulful rendition of the anthem is your thing, one has to admit this was a much better version than the one provided by Tony Award-winning actor Chris Jackson last month.
The guy who originated the role of George Washington inĀ Hamilton, the garbage musical (I’m willing to fight you on this), stepped onto Citi Field for theĀ Metsā 2026 Opening Day against theĀ PiratesĀ and completely blanked on the national anthem.
Let me repeat that ā George Washington forgot the lyrics to the national anthem.
Trump-hating Hamilton actor Christopher Jackson completely butchered the National Anthem at the New York Mets' home opener today. šš pic.twitter.com/JlUXtqeWS7
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) March 26, 2026
Soul Lounge 1, thee founding father 0.
Weāve certainly seen our fair share of epic national anthem performances in the sporting world in recent months. Perhaps the most amazing one to date came from 104-year-old World War II veteran Dominick Critelli, who captivated a packed UBS Arena just before the New Year with a stirring saxophone rendition before theĀ New York IslandersĀ faced off against theĀ New York Rangers.
Critelli, a former Army Staff Sergeant born in 1921, played a flawless performance on his soprano saxophoneāan instrument he has mastered since before enlisting to fight in World War II.
As he hit the final extended note, the crowdāfilled with fans from both teamsāerupted in applause, followed by chants of āUSA! USA!ā
Critelli saluted the arena in response, clearly beaming with pride.
104-year-old World War II veteran Dominick Critelli played the national anthem on the saxophone at the Rangers-Islanders game
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) December 27, 2025
Pretty special stuff šŗšø pic.twitter.com/duou98CQ72
Michigan, by the way, went on to defeat UConn 69-63 and claim the national title. But Soul Lounge’s performance remained one of the most talked-about elements of the evening.
