Singer powers through dazzling set
If you were ever on the fence about being a Beyoncé fan, then you clearly have not seen her live. While severe weather evacuated TCF Bank stadium for a half hour, it did little to break Beyoncé’s powerful stride or formation.
Tens of thousands of Beyhivers, young and old, flocked into TCF Bank stadium prepared to sing at the top of their lungs, whether it rained or shined.
“Beyoncé was definitely worth the wait,” said Ivana Eskridge of Minneapolis. “She made me forget it was raining outside.”
After re-entering the stadium, the crowd was electric and ready to be entertained. Becoming restless, they cheered and chanted for the Lemonade pop star to take stage. Following an intro video, the mega star and her dancers made a one-of-a-kind entrance and kicked the show off with the smash hit Formation.
Throughout the show, the stage revealed numerous effects. Sitting at the front was a massive box measuring at least 20 feet which served as a screen and entrance for the performers. In front of the screen was a trap door for more entrances and exits. A runway was embedded with moving walkways which the performer used while singing about surfboarding in “Drunk in Love,” while the back stage filled up with water for her final few songs.
Aside from the stage and theatrics, Beyoncé’s presence, signature legs, and Tina Turner-like stage attire took command of the audience. The Houston native spoke to all the ladies in the crowd through song and monologue, preaching the message of empowerment and self-worth letting them know that they too could aspire to their dreams if they “work their a** off” and keep dreaming.
The MSR was able to catch up with Krystle Sumrall at the concert who felt the inspiration. “I don’t have to prove myself to anyone. I only have to follow my heart and concentrate on what I want to say to the world. I run my world.”
Beyoncé sang songs from her recent album Lemonade along with fan favorites such as: “Me, Myself, and I” “Love on Top,” “Party,” “Drunk in Love,” and “Run the World (Girls).” Aside from singing, Beyoncé also danced and shared home videos of daughter Blue Ivy and husband Jay-Z that were featured in the Lemonade HBO movie.
She also did a stirring rendition of Prince’s “The Beautiful Ones,” which served as a dazzling tribute to the late hometown legend — whom she opened the Grammys with in 2004 — while also keeping with the theme of heartache and love triangles featured on her best-selling Lemonade CD.
Prior to the stadium evacuation, concert attendees were entertained by rapper Wiz Khalifa and DJ Drama in a surprise performance. Khalifa blessed the crowd performing a new unreleased track as well as career hits like “See You Again,” “Bake Sale,” and “We Dem Boyz.”
“This was the greatest experience of my life,” said Peter of Denver, CO, who flew to Minneapolis to see the Queen B.
After two hours of performing, standing in a small pool on stage, the Beyhive Queen began to lead the audience in her single “Halo.” The audience slowly took over singing the lyrics leaving Beyoncé gazing into the crowd, and shedding tears of appreciation and gratitude.
Khymyle Mims welcomes reader responses to khymylewrites@gmail.com.
Khymyle Mims is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.