Given all of the stress that has been thrown at me and every other student I know trying to graduate, Beyoncé has truly been a saving grace through it all. Her newest album Lemonade is life changing and one of the best things to ever happen to pop culture, as is her Formation World Tour. There is no better way to celebrate the end of classes and homework than paying a visit to the queen, and I am still riding the high that was yesterday’s concert.
Even Beyoncé’s late appearance (which I forgive her for, because I’m sure a lot goes into being Beyoncé) and the completely unnecessary plane dragging the message “Blue Lives Matter” over the stadium (really, Tampa?) couldn’t rain on the parade that was this masterpiece of a show. Even if you are a casual Beyoncé fan, I wholeheartedly recommend spending the money to see this concert, and I will tell you why.
1. The set list constantly changes, and includes over 30 songs.
Along with almost the entirety of Lemonade, “Baby Boy”, “Naughty Girl”, “Countdown,” “Mine” and both versions of “Crazy in Love” live changed me as a person.
2. The girl power is almost overwhelming.
Everyone onstage from the musicians to the backup dancers are women, and almost all are women of color. Their talent is showcased to the fullest extent, as they mostly seem to perform with Beyoncé as opposed to behind her.
3. The costumes are breathtaking.
Every bodysuit with matching thigh-high boots made me seriously envious. We got to see everything from southern-gothic Bey to bedazzled Balmain Bey, and every outfit was truly iconic. Only Beyoncé could manage to sing and dance for an hour and a half in Florida with twenty pounds of beads and jewels hanging off of her without breaking a sweat.
4. Even from the worst seats, the show is amazing.
I have been to shows in concerts arenas where it looks like they have hung up the TV from my living room as a screen, and it is beyond frustrating. I was two rows away from being the highest up and a section or two away from being the farthest away from the stage, but the enormous, magical rotating box made out of screens allowed me to clearly see her from every angle. The fireworks are an extra bonus. Oh, and the runway that filled with water where she performed “Freedom”.
5. Beyoncé is, quite simply, incredible.
Anyone who says she is “overrated” clearly hasn’t seen her perform, and/or has too much pride to jump on the bandwagon of people with properly functioning eyes and ears. I don’t even know how to put it into words, but she is truly captivating. I have never, and will never see another performer sing, dance, and engage the crowd as well as she can. A true queen.
