Beyoncé stuns in “Renaissance” global tour opener 2023
On Wednesday, tens of thousands of admirers descended upon the Swedish capital of Stockholm to commemorate Beyoncé’s new world tour’s opening concert.
Renaissance is the superstar’s first solo tour since 2016 and shares its name with her dance-centric album of 2022, the success of which placed Beyoncé atop the Grammy throne as the most decorated artist in the ceremony’s history.
Fans who had complained about the lack of music videos for Renaissance favorites in recent months were in for a treat on Wednesday when video projections and animations took center stage. The rapid succession of costume and setting changes was bewildering.
The singer emphasized interactions between the digital and physical worlds, in which autonomous devices make room for strange silver moon rovers and inflatable horses. Even Queen Bey transforms into a cybernetic being. Seems perplexing? It was.
The opening night of Beyoncé’s world tour dubbed the “Renaissance,” did not disappoint.
Nevertheless, despite the remarkable size of the stage set, there were still intimate moments. Beyoncé expressed gratitude to her admirers for traveling long distances to see her perform.
She performed songs spanning her two-decade career, beginning with Dangerously in Love, the title track from her first solo album, released in 2003, followed by Run the World (Girls), an anthem for female empowerment released in 2011, and a number of singles from Renaissance.
The 46,000 available tickets for Wednesday’s performance were sold out, and if the audience’s response is any indication, the remainder of the tour will be a success.
Beyoncé will perform in over 40 destinations, including London, Paris, Barcelona, and Toronto, before concluding her tour in New Orleans on September 27.
