Beyoncé released ‘Cowboy Carter’ album one year ago: A look back
It’s been one year since Beyoncé released her eighth studio album, “Cowboy Carter.” Here’s a look back at the album’s impactful year.
- Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour is expected to be a groundbreaking spectacle.
- The tour will visit nine cities, including Houston, Paris, Washington, D.C., and Las Vegas.
- Fans are particularly excited for the shows in Houston, Beyoncé’s hometown, and Paris, where Blue Ivy made her onstage debut.
- The final shows in Las Vegas are expected to be an epic finale to the tour.
Beyoncé Knowles Carter’s highly anticipated “Cowboy Carter” tour is fast approaching, promising to be nothing short of a groundbreaking spectacle.
While the 35-time Grammy-winning singer has been tight-lipped about the details of her upcoming shows, some cities are expected to make for an especially epic night.
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour officially kicks off April 28 in Los Angeles with its first stop spanning five nights. For the opening show, fans all over the world will have their ears to the ground to hear just how Beyoncé brings the house down. But what other cities have the Beyhive buzzing in anticipation?
Beyoncé’s hometown of Houston
It’s a no-brainer that the show in Beyoncé’s hometown is expected to be particularly spectacular. Beyoncé is set to perform at Houston’s NRG Stadium for two nights on June 28 and 29, and ticket for both shows have been one of the tour’s hottest gets.
Houston is the first Southern stop on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour. The H-Town native grew up embedded in cowboy culture, attending the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and has been a huge champion of Black rodeo and equestrian culture. She continued to shine that spotlight with this album.
Of course, Beyoncé’s first live “Cowboy Carter” performance took place in Houston during the Baltimore vs. Houston NFL game on Christmas Day. During her halftime performance, Beyoncé featured many guests including the Texans cheerleaders and 200 members of Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band.
It’ll be interesting to see what special guests Beyoncé has up her sleeves this time around. During her 2023 Renaissance World Tour she brought out another Houston native — Megan Thee Stallion. The two women rocked the house, performing their song “Savage (Remix).”
As the saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas.
Three nights in Paris
Beyoncé will bring her “Cowboy Carter” tour to Paris for three nights at the Stade de France. She seemingly has special ties to the city with Paris being the first time the singer’s daughter Blue Ivy performed with her onstage during her Renaissance World Tour in May 2023.
The Paris shows have been another highly sought-after ticket on her tour as the first show kicks off on June 19 — Juneteenth. The federal holiday has become known as “Second Independence Day.” It marks the day the last African American slaves, in Galveston, Texas, were notified that they were free. It will be interesting to see how the Texas-bred superstar brings this celebration to the French stage as she highlights Black country music with her performance.
Of course, Paris is one of only two international cities for this tour, falling after six shows in London. Beyoncé will complete her final “Cowboy Carter” overseas concert in France on June 22.
A holiday weekend in Washington, D.C.
Beyoncé will bring her nine-city tour to Northwest Stadium in the nation’s capital for only two nights this summer. Washington, D.C., is considered an very diverse city, and the timing is another reason why fans are looking forward to these shows. Beyoncé is slated to hit the stage Fourth of July weekend on July 4 and July 7.
The history of Independence Day in the U.S. is a significant backdrop to this album. Beyoncé addresses some of the complexity and darkness of America’s past in her music, while the album also nods at a triumphant future. In songs like “Ameriican Requiem” and “Ya Ya” this is especially evident. In “Ya Ya” Beyoncé sings, “Good ol’ USA (good ol’ USA)/ Whole lotta red in that white and blue.”
Of course, red, white and blue is synonymous with July Fourth. Beyoncé’s wardrobe choices will also be a focal point, as well as any other motifs throughout the shows.
Outside of the symbolism, the two-night stint is expected to be an epic stop much like the rest of the tour. And there will be several events throughout the weekend to celebrate the tour such as the Beyhive Ranch, which describes itself as “a two-day immersive experience celebrating Cowboy Carter in true Queen Bey fashion.”
The final shows in Las Vegas
The Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit grand finale will take place in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas is known to be a rodeo town. It has been home to the National Finals Rodeo since 1985. That rodeo is considered the premier event of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and has been dubbed the “Superbowl” of rodeo. This year, the rodeo will take place Dec. 4-13 at the Thomas and Mack Center. For a champion of Black rodeo culture, a town like this is full of possibilities.
The two-night stint will wrap Beyoncé’s entire tour (at least for now), and Sin City makes for the perfect location to end with a bang.
Of course, fans all over the world are excited for the tour in its entirety. And no matter which show fans attend, they can expect Beyoncé to put on a performance to remember.
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network’s Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
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