Beyoncé Cowboy Carter at MetLife Stadium: Review, setlist
Beyoncé lassoed hips, hearts and minds, too, at her MetLife Stadium Cowboy Carter show on Thursday, May 22, in East Rutherford.
The nearly three-hour spectacle was a delight of a country music concert, Beyoncé style, that touched on contemporary themes and critiques, with a smile and a twirl.
The central point is country music was founded in the hymns, spirituals, blues and field songs of Black America, and that fact this is not widely recognized — well, that's part of the American problem.
'They used to say I spoke too country,' sang Beyoncé in 'American Requiem,' from her hit album, 'Cowboy Carter.'
What is the remedy? An album and tour of country music that takes the genre to its roots and explores exciting possibilities.
From a delicate performance of the Beatles 'Blackbird,' dedicated 'to all the beautiful Blackbirds who opened the door for me,' to a delightful corn-fed rendition of Dolly Parton's 'Jolene,' Beyoncé showed an impressive range and exquisite feeling in her vocals.
The multi-piece band made all the right notes and shadings, and the the backup singers delivered a rich context, especially on the new 'Flamenco.'
Mind you, Bey did not strap on her cowboy boots and cowboy hat to just stand there and sing. Beyoncé and her big dance troupe were in constant motion throughout the night, and that included daughters Blue Ivy and Rumi.
When not dancing, Bey rode a horseshoe and late model sedan over the audience via wires — and, on stage, a mechanical bull, gold horse and truck with giant horns. She looked like a cool Kid Rock when she was on the truck, for a stutter rhythm version off 'Crazy In Love.'
Video vignettes framed the night, such as the concept of the 'reclamation of America.' Heady stuff, and perhaps unsettling to portions of the population. But they were delivered here with such charm and skill that this lesson in American cultural history will not soon be forgotten.
Check out Thursday's setlist below for what Beyonce played at the MetLife opener:
American Requiem
Blackbird
The Star-Spangled Banner
Freedom
Ya Ya / Why Don't You Love Me
Oh Louisiana
America Has a Problem
Spaghetti
Formation
My House
Diva
Alligator Tears
Just for Fun
Protector
Flamenco
Desert Eagle
Riverdance
II Hands II Heaven II
Tyrant
Thique
Levii's Jeans
Sweet Honey Buckiin' / Pure Honey / Summer Renaissance
Texas Hold 'Em
Crazy in Love
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
Love on Top
Irreplaceable
If I Were A Boy
Jolene
Daddy Lessons
Bodyguard
II Most Wanted
Cuff It
Heated
Before I Let Go
Daughter
Renaissance
I'm That Girl
Cozy
Alien Superstar
16 Carriages
Amen
The "Cowboy Carter' album won Grammy Awards for Best Country Album and Album of the Year.
Beyoncé opened her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin Circuit Tour April 28 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and it played in Chicago before the East Rutherford shows, which include Saturday, May 24; Sunday, May 25; Wednesday, May 28; and Friday, May 29.
The five upcoming shows at MetLife are record breaking — they're the most by an artist on a single tour at the venue.
The nine-city tour will also play in Europe before the finale on Saturday, July 26, in Las Vegas.
The NJ Transit engineer strike was settled this week, and it's service as normal at MetLife for the shows. The trains start departing Secaucus for the concerts at 4:29 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25, and 4:53 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29.
The last train will not leave MetLife Stadium before 1 a.m. Check out njtransit.com for more info.
Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene.
Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at cjordan@app.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Beyoncé Cowboy Carter at MetLife Stadium: Review, setlist
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