Beyoncé ignites Atlanta on second night of 'Cowboy Carter' tour
The Grammy-winning singer kicked off her July 11 show at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta around 8:42 p.m. local time. The concert marked her second of four shows at the stadium on her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour. She's set to hit the stage again July 13 and 14.
'Atlanta, thank you so much for being here tonight and welcome!' Beyoncé greeted the charged crowd as she took the stage. 'I want to say thank you to everyone who has been loyal to me for more than 25 years.'
The ATL stop — Bey's last Southern stop — comes after Beyoncé delivered two dazzling concerts at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland — five miles east of Washington, D.C. The first show fell on the Fourth of July, with the follow-up performance taking place July 7. The holiday made for an especially significant night given the messages and motifs pertaining to country music, America's complex past and its ongoing cultural reckoning.
As fans know, Beyoncé first debuted her "Cowboy Carter" tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on April 28 with 39 songs on the set list. Her shows have been filled with family, fashion, different music genres, and most notably country music and cultural commentary. The second Atlanta concert was no exception, continuing the trend with signature style and powerful messages.
THAT KEY? THE CROWD?? THE WAY SHE GAGGED??? THIS IS SO ICONIC😭😭🥹 pic.twitter.com/jTuIVetbPq
One fan wrote, "the energy that Atlanta has for Beyoncé simply is unmatched. the love is so deep, truly no other city comes close." And that energy was undeniable, radiating through the stadium all night long. At one point, the crowd erupted into a prolonged cheer, prompting Beyoncé to pause, visibly moved as she took it all in.
Of course, Beyoncé's tour has also been a huge showcase of fashion and creativity. Each night, Beyoncé continues to blend high fashion and cowboy couture, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as they anticipate a new look. There's been many looks incorporating Western-glam: sparkly chaps, cowboy hats, boots and piles of fringe. Friday's show continued this tradition.
The "Cowboy Carter" creator wasn't just deliberate about showcasing her own looks. During the show, she also made sure to spotlight her fans' too, proving that fashion is central to the spectacle she creates, not just an accessory to the music.
While gliding above the crowd on a high-rise horseshoe, Beyoncé took a moment to shout out her fans: 'Y'all look so incredible. Y'all are dressed down!'
The show, of course, was filled with music but also layered with messages about country music, America's history, and the plight and triumph of Black and brown people. Somehow, Beyoncé managed to turn those teaching moments into a joyful, family-filled celebration — complete with mommy-daughter kisses, standout choreography and more heartwarming moments from her children, 8-year-old Rumi Carter and 13-year-old Blue Ivy Carter.
The nine-city tour has spanned the U.S. and Europe with the grand finale set for July 26 in Las Vegas.
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
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