Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is the epitome of Black girl magic. It’s been two weeks since her Chicago concerts and I still don’t have myself together. As a matter of fact, I’m writing his review from the afterworld, because Bey put me in Formation, stole my soul and then took it with her to her next tour stop. RIP to me. Anyway, after some reflection, post-concert depression, and piecing my tattered and snatched edges back together, here’s what I noticed at the Formation World Tour. DISCLAIMER: This article WILL contain spoilers, so if you plan on seeing the show, you’ve been warned. Without further adieu, here are the 7 Wonders of Beyoncé’s Formation World Tour:
1. Her intro is AMAZING.
The word lit is probably one of the most overused words 2016, and probably the best word to use for the concert’s introduction. After sitting through Rae Sremmurd’s opening performance, being beaten around by a severe thunderstorm at Solider Field, and waiting for what seemed like an eternity for the Queen to address her subjects, the lights went low, Big Freedia’s voice roared through the stadium, instructing Bey to “give these hoes exactly what they came to see”. Bey stepped out on the stage, acknowledged the in-climate weather, thanked us for sticking with her, and then tore through the show’s opening like her life depended on it. That intro alone is worth standing in the rain for.
2. Them outfits though.
In the past, Bey has gained quite the reputation for her fashion choices, specifically, the leotards which have become a staple during her live performances. While her choice in wardrobing has sometimes garnered criticism, Bey’s costuming for this tour was done by an array of high end designers, including Balmain, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, and more. From her opening outfit, topped off with an oversized hat, to the cape she wore during “Don’t Hurt Yourself”, each outfit not only took on life of its own, but was tailored to accentuate Beyoncé’s signature curves, while simultaneously giving her the room needed to work the stage with her endless choreography.
3. Flashing Lights.
This tour’s stage production is INSANE. Being someone who likes more intimate stage venues, I was throughly impressed with how the stage design allowed for an amazing experience for everyone present. The staging, which included a large box that splits apart into two, a long runway where a good amount of the dancing took place, and a pool that replaced the front of the stage towards the end of the show, were just a few aspects of the glamour. The pool in particular was an almost religious experience on its own, especially when Beyoncé and her dancers waded in the water during “Freedom”. When the concert wasn’t being displayed on screen, the imagery displayed varied from clips from the Lemonade film, to images of Bey with a grill in her mouth (I liveeeee), clips of fan reactions to Lemonade, (please see Evelyn from the Internets’ video if you haven’t), and a few cameos of my niece Blue Ivy.
4. Her setlist is impeccable.
5. “Love God Herself.”
Any Beyoncé fan knows that she is a vehement feminist. As early as her Destiny’s Child days, Beyoncé has always let it be known that she is the H.B.I.C., and will be respected as such. Nothing demonstrates this more than her performance of her 2003 hit, “Me, Myself, & I”, Bey reminds the audience that while the love that comes from a relationship with another person is important, the most important relationship one can have is with themselves. Bey’s constant admiration of the women in the audience throughout the show left me feeling extremely empowered, and wishing she was my bestie. Another important fact to mention, is that everyone that graced that stage, her backup dancers and her backing band the Sugar Mamas alike, were all women, including a killer solo by her guitarist. In an industry dominated by men, it was a wonderful sight to see an all female band rearrange Beyoncé’s classic hits into contemporary reworks.
6. Cocoa Goddess.
7. She is incredibly humble.
“My message though sometimes ratchet, is always about love.” – Beyoncé
