Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' tour has commenced, showcasing a blend of country roots and black heritage. The tour, following the release of her album 'Cowboy Carter', emphasizes themes of ownership and the celebration of black contributions to country music.
The concert at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles featured a three-hour performance, integrating country tracks from 'Cowboy Carter' with ballroom culture-inspired pieces from 'Renaissance'. Beyoncé paid tribute to Linda Martell and other black pioneers in country music, expressing gratitude to fans for enabling her to explore new creative avenues.
'Cowboy Carter' transcends traditional country music, incorporating theatrical elements and elaborate choreography. The show includes banjo and fiddle sounds, along with cowboy-themed attire, while maintaining a stadium-level spectacle. Beyoncé portrays an outsider challenging a hostile Old West, ultimately overcoming exclusion in a symbolic duel.
Patriotism is symbolically explored, starting with 'American Requiem' and transitioning to a Jimi Hendrix-inspired rendition of the American national anthem. Family is also a central theme, with Beyoncé's daughter Blue Ivy joining her on stage and her daughter Rumi Carter's voice featured in 'Protector'. The concert revisits elements from the 'Renaissance' tour, including the horse Reneigh, and incorporates nods to Destiny's Child.
The finale includes a remixed version of 'Texas Hold 'Em' merged with 'Crazy in Love'. Beyoncé concludes the show by flying over the stadium in a vintage car adorned with the American flag, followed by an encore performance in an American flag-themed outfit in front of a Statue of Liberty with covered nose and mouth. The tour is a carefully crafted representation of the album's message, reinforcing Beyoncé's status as a unique performer.