The last time Beyoncé delivered a performance of “Daddy Lessons,” the lively song from her 2016 album “Lemonade,” was at that year’s C.M.A. Awards, where she joined the Dixie Chicks (now simply the Chicks) for a powerful rendition.
However, not everyone in the country music scene welcomed Beyoncé’s foray into the genre. In the notes for her album released last year, “Cowboy Carter,” the artist remarked on feeling unwelcome in Nashville as she explored the rich tapestry of American roots music and its ties to Black musical traditions spanning generations.
Thus, it held special significance when Beyoncé performed “Daddy Lessons” at the kickoff of her Cowboy Carter Tour at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., marking its first performance since facing that rejection. It followed her newly arranged version of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” which Parton herself had endorsed, as she soared above a captivated audience in a flying horseshoe.
Full-circle moments aren’t merely coincidences; they result from intent, dedication, and a resistance to unfinished business. Throughout this vibrant and witty show, hints of Beyoncé’s focus on bringing closure and a sense of culmination were evident.
“Cowboy Carter” exemplifies this concept: it’s an album that acts as a historical response, in part inspired by her chilly reception in Nashville—if you can’t fit in, then thrive independently.
And thrive she did, as evidenced last February when she won Album of the Year at the Grammys, breaking a long-standing drought in that prestigious category, despite being the most awarded artist in Grammy history.
Still, dubbing this the Cowboy Carter Tour was a slight misdirection—while Beyoncé did perform many tracks from the album, it served as a recontextualization of her latest work as a foundational element of her music that has always been present.
Spanning nearly three hours, her seventh solo headlining concert tour delivered a quintessential Beyoncé experience. The second act kicked off with the dazzling “America Has a Problem” from her album “Renaissance,” where she performed behind a Lucite lectern, followed by “Spaghettii,” one of the most electrifying and enjoyable songs from “Cowboy Carter.” This seamlessly transitioned into “Formation,” an essential part of her repertoire, and soon after, “Diva,” linking her physicality and political messages — celebrating freedom in both.
As Beyoncé entered the fifth segment of her concert, beginning with “Jolene” and “Daddy Lessons,” she astonishingly seemed to gain energy. On “Bodyguard,” her vocals were extravagant, and her fluid movements during “Tyrant” and “Thique” radiated brightness.
Well into the concert, she rocked the slick “Texas Hold ’Em,” the standout single from “Cowboy Carter.” Despite the album’s impressive launch week, it didn’t yield many mainstream hits, unlike earlier projects. This song, a quintessential country track that could have easily found traction in the country charts, was transformed by Beyoncé as she performed atop a semi truck, merging it with the lively “Crazy in Love.”
That was just one of many nostalgic mashups in her performance: “II Most Wanted” paired with “Blow”; “Thique” transitioned into “Bills, Bills, Bills”; “Spaghettii” blended with “Flawless.” The music from “Cowboy Carter” highlighted not only American roots music but also the roots that connect back to Beyoncé’s beginnings with Destiny’s Child.
Visual and auditory nods to past tours and performances were also present: a red lip couch seen in The Beyoncé Experience, her rendition of “Before I Let Go,” the classic originally by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly that she revisited during “Homecoming,” and even set pieces from the Renaissance World Tour, complete with expert vogueing from stage performers (Props to Honey Balenciaga). She seamlessly interwove snippets of hip-hop tracks — like David Banner’s “Like a Pimp,” Goodie Mob’s “Cell Therapy,” and BigXthaPlug’s “The Largest” — showcasing the cross-genre links she weaves across generations.
While her performance heavily revolved around musical exploration, Beyoncé’s primary theme was the fluidity of American iconography and how to harness it for her own narrative. This displayed itself through her costumes, where she transitioned through various cowgirl styles, from elegant to rustic throughout the night.
The crowd, of course, dressed in theme: fringed leather chaps, shiny cowboy boots, denim coats, neckerchiefs, and sashes that sported “Cowboy Carter,” with some customizing to replace Beyoncé’s name with their own. Outside the stadium, vendors offered cowboy hats and folding fans, with one promoting theirs as having “that good snap,” unfolding to reveal “Bey-Haw.”
At the merchandise booths, fans could purchase a $75 T-shirt featuring a graphic of Beyoncé riding side saddle and aiming a shotgun, accompanied by the phrase “Never ask permission for something that already belongs to you.”
This phrase illuminated the stage as she sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” early in the evening. For the final song, “Amen,” she donned a dress adorned with the American flag, and moments before, was carried around the stadium in a red car with a flag at her side. Reverence was one of the stances she took but didn’t hold for long. By the show’s conclusion, a massive statue of Liberty appeared on stage, its mouth covered by a bandanna, as if in self-protection. One video segment featured a giant Beyoncé striding past the White House — hinting at who might be residing there — then playfully winking at the Lincoln Memorial.
Beyoncé has always been more playful than people realize, but now she seems freer than ever, casually appearing in interlude videos smoking a cigarette, a cigar, or a joint. Embracing the memes and mash-ups from the Beyoncé-fan community online, she maintains an engaging presence.
As she did on her Renaissance World Tour—two years ago—she welcomed her daughter, Blue Ivy, on stage for several numbers. Blue not only dances alongside her mother but also serves as a narrative counterpart and favorite of the audience. Beyoncé’s other daughter, Rumi, joined her during “Protector,” and their mother, Tina, was in attendance as well.
This family theme persisted throughout the performance, reflecting on both past and future. As the night progressed, giant screens showcased childhood pictures, rehearsal clips, the iconic moment when Beyoncé revealed her pregnancy on MTV, and her singing at Barack Obama’s inauguration.
This too felt like a closing chapter. A farewell address. For over twenty years, Beyoncé has redefined the limits of what a pop star can achieve, consistently raising the bar and surpassing it.
But what happens when you’ve achieved everything, received countless accolades, and become one of a kind? Embrace the idea that your future could be a remix of your past — and that’s a brand-new treasure.
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour
Continues Thursday at SoFi Stadium, with additional performances in eight more cities in the U.S. and Europe until July 26; visit beyonce.com/tour for more information.
