Beyoncé launched her highly anticipated Cowboy Carter world tour on Monday night with the first of five performances at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium. The dazzling production celebrated Black creativity as a cornerstone of American culture, blending elements of country, pop, and R&B into a mesmerizing spectacle.
The tour follows the release of her country-inspired album, Cowboy Carter, which earned her the Grammy Award for Album of the Year earlier this year after several previous nominations. While the show heavily featured tracks from the new album, it also revisited hits from her extensive discography, including fan favorites from her 2022 dance-heavy Renaissance era.
A Grand Opening with Powerful Statements
The nearly three-hour concert began with a soul-stirring rendition of “Ameriican Requiem” and a cover of The Beatles’ “Blackbird.” Beyoncé then delivered a moving performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” while a massive screen behind her displayed a bold message: “Never ask permission for something that already belongs to you.” Dressed in a fringed white cowgirl ensemble, she transitioned into “Freedom” before shifting to “Ya Ya,” where her 13-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, joined her onstage as part of the dance crew. The segment concluded with Beyoncé seated on a throne as a robotic arm poured her a drink.
High-Energy Performances and Costume Changes
After a wardrobe change, the second act kicked off with “America Has a Problem,” performed at a podium adorned with microphones. She then powered through energetic renditions of “Spaghettii,” “Formation,” “My House,” and “Diva.” The third act took a more intimate turn with stripped-down versions of “Alliigator Tears” and “Just for Fun,” followed by “Protector,” during which her 7-year-old daughter, Rumi, made a heartwarming appearance, embracing her mother onstage.
Dazzling Visuals and Show-Stopping Moments
For “Desert Eagle,” Beyoncé donned a bedazzled bodysuit, which she kept on for “Riiverdance,” “II Hands II Heaven,” and “Sweet Honey Buckiin’,” a high-energy dance sequence that once again spotlighted Blue Ivy. A New Orleans-style twist on Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” led into “Daddy Lessons,” performed while riding a massive neon horseshoe that soared above the crowd.
The show’s momentum continued with a funky “Bodyguard” and a snippet of “II Most Wanted” before transitioning into “Cuff It,” performed on a secondary stage. Beyoncé then returned to the main stage atop the glowing horseshoe for “Tyrant,” straddling a golden mechanical bull flanked by robotic bull heads.
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A Nod to the Renaissance Era
Around the two-hour mark, Beyoncé declared, “Welcome back to the Renaissance, y’all,” leading into electrifying performances of “I’m That Girl,” “Cozy,” and “Alien Superstar.” The segment also included a Western-themed take on the ballroom battle sequence from her Renaissance tour.
A Grand Finale with Iconic Style
The final stretch began with “Texas Hold ’Em,” performed atop a prop big rig while wearing denim shorts and thigh-high furry boots. She maintained the look for a remixed “Crazy in Love,” followed by “Heated” and a tribute to Frankie Beverly with “Before I Let Go.” The night concluded with “16 Carriages,” a soulful ballad about her career, sung from a floating convertible, and “Amen,” the closing track from Cowboy Carter, where she appeared in a billowing stars-and-stripes gown.
As the lights rose, a masked replica of the Statue of Liberty’s head stood center stage, leaving the audience in awe of a performance that seamlessly blended music, artistry, and cultural celebration.
