Beyoncé’s three-hour performance at SoFi Stadium was a masterclass in genre-bending music, weaving together Western themes with powerful commentary on America’s turbulent past and present. The singer’s unapologetic approach to her “country foray” celebrated the Black origins of country culture and its evolution.
The show began with a soft rendition of “Blackbird,” shifting into a jarring take on the national anthem, set to Jimi Hendrix’s haunting guitar performance from Woodstock 1969. This juxtaposition stood as a tribute and reminder of America’s turbulent past and present. The performance also featured Kendrick Lamar’s verse in “America Has a Problem” and a powerful rendition of “Formation,” complete with Blue Ivy joining her crew of backup dancers.
A highlight of the show was when Beyoncé delivered a nod to Destiny’s Child’s “Bills, Bills, Bills” during “Thique.” She later zipped around the stadium on a massive pink horseshoe while performing her initial country-foraying track “Daddy Lessons,” marking her first live performance of the song since 2016.
Throughout the show, Beyoncé paid tribute to her inspirations and lineage, including her poet namesake, with quotes appearing onscreen. The singer also reimagined Renaissance’s beloved horse, Reneigh, now golden, and delivered the original choreography for songs “I’m That Girl,” “Cozy,” and “Alien Superstar.”
The performance ended with a monumental sing-along to “16 Carriages” in a flying classic car adorned with an American flag, marking Beyoncé as a trailblazer once again. With its calculated and measured precision, the show cemented Beyoncé’s status as a music icon operating on a completely different level.
Source: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/beyonce-cowboy-carter-tour-opener-review-1235327210