Beyoncé’s highly anticipated album “Cowboy Carter” finally made its live debut during a thrilling halftime show at an N.F.L. game in Houston on Christmas. The star-studded performance, which was broadcast exclusively on Netflix, showcased Beyoncé’s onstage prowess and the contributions of her collaborators.
The event marked the first time material from “Cowboy Carter” has been performed live, with Beyoncé highlighting her album’s themes of country music history, Black performers’ vital roles in its past and present, and larger questions about genre. The impressive production featured a supporting cast that rivaled a cinematic blockbuster, with Beyoncé flanked by young Black country artists from the album recording during an excerpt from her cover of the Beatles’ “Blackbird.”
Beyoncé also ceded the frame to rising star Shaboozey for his verse on “Sweet Honey Buckiin’,” and joined her 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy in a long two-step line. The show’s success was evident, with many viewers likely thinking: “Who but Beyoncé could pull off this sort of spectacle?”
The performance played out like an exorbitantly budgeted For Your Consideration ad for the Grammy Awards, with Beyoncé’s sharp and wide-ranging set showcasing her as a safe bet for a coveted album of the year trophy. Overall, the event was a stunning showcase for “Cowboy Carter” that cemented Beyoncé’s status as a masterful performer.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/25/arts/music/beyonce-performance-halftime-show-christmas-netflix.html