Photo credit: pitchfork.com
Beyoncé Launches Cowboy Carter Tour with a Stellar Performance
Beyoncé commenced her highly anticipated Cowboy Carter Tour at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, showcasing her signature blend of style and choreography. Clad in a striking white leather outfit punctuated with fringe and a cowboy hat, she presented a vibrant set that featured numerous premieres from her latest album, Cowboy Carter. The event also included special appearances by her children, Blue Ivy and Rumi Carter, along with a soulful rendition of “Before I Let Go” by Maze and the late Frankie Beverly.
As the concert began, a large electronic display illuminated the stage with an American flag, accompanied by a speaker marked with the letters “KNTRY,” the fictional radio station associated with Cowboy Carter. Fans were treated to a diverse array of merchandise, including a design that features Beyoncé riding a mechanical horse alongside an empowering message: “Never ask permission for something that already belongs to you.” Merchandise was a significant part of the event, further enhancing the concert’s thematic depth.
Beyoncé kicked off the show with “Ameriican Requiem” and “Blackbiird,” a tribute to pioneering Black women in rock, folk, and country music. She then delivered a unique interpretation of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” inspired by Jimi Hendrix’s legendary performance at Woodstock. During “Freedom,” visuals were projected of Beyoncé, adorned in dreadlocks and smoking a cigar, alongside a banner declaring “the reclamation of America.” Both Blue Ivy and Rumi contributed to the energetic performances, with Blue Ivy stepping into the spotlight during “Formation” and Rumi energetically participating in “Protector,” which prompted a loving, light-hearted moment between the two.
While the setlist included many tracks from her acclaimed Renaissance album, the thematic focus of the show was primarily on Cowboy Carter. The performance conveyed a compelling narrative of Beyoncé as a Wild West figure, reclaiming her power and identity amidst societal challenges. The climax of the third act featured a dramatic video sequence where she confronted an older, white cowboy, metaphorically asserting her agency. The show concluded with a powerful encore, “Amen,” performed against the backdrop of a Statue of Liberty adorned with braided hair.
Cowboy Carter, released last March as the follow-up to her 2022 album Renaissance, marked a significant milestone, earning Beyoncé her eighth No. 1 record and making her the first Black woman to debut at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart. It also garnered her three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Best Country Album, and Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Last December, she dazzled fans with a halftime show in her hometown Houston during one of the NFL’s Christmas games, streamed live on Netflix.
This current tour marks Beyoncé’s seventh headline tour, succeeding the remarkable Renaissance World Tour of 2023, which included 56 performances worldwide and featured collaborations with artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Megan Thee Stallion. The tour was also documented in the critically acclaimed film Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.
The Cowboy Carter Tour continues with a second night in Inglewood on Thursday, followed by stops in New Jersey, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C., before heading to Europe, including performances in London and Paris.
Beyoncé Setlist:
Ameriican Requiem
Blackbird
The Star-Spangled Banner
Freedom
Ya Ya / Why Don’t You Love Me
America Has a Problem
Spaghettii
Formation
My House
Diva
Alliigator Tears
Just for Fun
Protector
Flamenco
Desert Eagle
Riiverdance
II Hands II Heaven
Sweet ★ Honey ★ Buckiin’ / Pure/Honey / Summer Renaissance
Jolene
Daddy Lessons
Bodyguard
II Most Wanted
Cuff It
Tyrant
Thique
Levii’s Jeans
Daughter
I’m That Girl
Cozy
Alien Superstar
Texas Hold ‘Em
Crazy in Love
Heated
Before I Let Go
16 Carriages
Amen
Source
pitchfork.com