“Do we have any queens in the house tonight?” Beyoncé asked a roaring crowd of thousands during her tour stop at New York City’s Citi Field on June 8th, 2016.
Complete with a pairing of visual and vocal prowess, the “Formation World Tour” held an overarching theme of female empowerment and self love.
As this was not my first Queen Bey rodeo, I came equipped with high expectations and high spirits. DJ Khaled’s opening set was just the tip of the iceberg, readying the crowd with a slew of special guests including Fabolous, Tinashe, Jadakiss and The Lox, Swizz Beats and Ty Dollar $ign. Ever the eager fan, I was now fully prepared to inflict irreconcilable damage on both my vocal cords and feet, from my infinite screams to my tippy toe stance, as crowd participation is a must.
Opening the show with fan favorite and viral sensation “Formation,” Beyoncé took the stage and began a give-and-take affair with her dancers and band that followed through out the night. All women in different shades and sizes, it was as if if they were an extension of herself, complementing her both in talent and beauty — feeding off of each others energy and skill. In a display of a female power, Bey and her team personifies the duality of “I am woman, here me roar” to “I am sexual and sensual,” challenging anyone who said they could never be both.
Even on the Citi Field stage, “Formation World Tour” maintained the feel of the Lemonade HBO special in it’s superior performance, visual display and musical story-line. Effortlessly transitioning in and out of nearly two decades worth of hits, it moved in waves, from tracks like “Drunk in Love” and “Baby Boy” to “Me, “Myself and I” and “Halo,” all sequenced in a fashion that highlighted the Queen’s vocal chops, even whilst dancing at full speed. Topping the night off with a special Prince tribute, she serenaded the crowd with a rendition of “The Beautiful Ones.”
In a perfect play on emotions, the audience was reacquainted with feelings of joy and passion, sensuality and love and a endless appreciation of Beyoncé’s hard-work and dedication, reinforcing her statement that “there is no such thing as a weak woman.” In a emotionally riveting and awe-inspiring example of showmanship and talent, Beyoncé continues to remind us of why she warrants so much praise, and most importantly, why it is so deserving.
Photography: Parkwood Entertainment
