Monday, July 30th, 5:30 P.M., I just walked out of the office. The clouds in the sky made it seem like it could possibly rain. But it was the perfect temperature.
I walked to my car, reached in the passenger seat for my change of clothes, and changed. Then I ate a small dinner that I brought from home because I couldn't go home or stop somewhere in such a hurry.
When I was ready, I set my GPS for 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way, and I was on my way to the OTR II!
So, for those of you who may live under a rock, never go outside, don't pass billboards, don't have a cell phone, cable, any internet connection, or just don't associate in real life, OTR II stands for On The Run II. On The Run is a concert tour produced by one of, if not the most iconic couples in the music industry, Jay-Z and Beyonce.
If you're a fan or not, it is definitely a show to see! The combination of talent and history is so perfect and imperfect at the same time that it's breathtaking. Even if you like Beyonce but not Jay-Z or vice versa, this show does not disappoint! I, on the other hand, happen to love both of them, so the entire production was full of thrill and energy!
I wanted to highlight a few key things about the show that set this couple apart from the rest. First and foremost, the wardrobe for both of them is never dull! They both had quite a few changes, each vastly different than the last.
My absolute favorite from Bey was an interesting, solid bright orange, flowy yet poufy gown that she wore to sing her song, "Resentment". It was definitely different from all of the rest of her looks. My favorite from Jay was his white suit from the show opener, "Holy Grail". If there is one type of suit that I love, it is definitely all white.
With Jay and Bey, you can always expect an interesting array of video clips throughout and in between sets. There is always an intricate storyline driving the entire show. Many of the themes in this show were racial injustice, love, reunion, and family.
The most recent albums from the couple explore the trials and tribulations they have faced and overcame through their time together. The video clips capture exactly everything that they have been willing to share with the public in their music. It's always fascinating to see the correlation between acting, visuals, and the lyrics in their music.
Continuing with the idea of visuals, the layout of the stage for this particular show was unlike anything I'd ever seen before! There were two long runways that ran parallel to each other, where Jay and Bey would walk down simultaneously. There was also a stage that connected the two runways in the center. Later in the show, you realize that the stage in the center moved back and forth over the top of the crowd! I was very intrigued by that.
As for the actual performances, there was never a bland moment. The opening, the transitions, the duets, the choreography, the band, the final performance... it was all wildly captivating. The show was seamless. There were lots of candid and comical moments between Jay and Bey, and also the artists and the audience.
At some points they would interact with people in the crowd, Bey would make funny faces or gestures, and everything just seemed to melt into the perfect creation that is OTR.
If you even had the slightest urge to attend in a city near you, do not hesitate! We never know if they're going to do this again.