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USA Today
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Beyoncé's tour: Jimi Hendrix's national anthem, more powerful messages you may have missed
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter's "Cowboy Carter" tour isn't just a musical masterpiece. It's a powerful spectacle filled with messages about country music, America's history, and the plight and triumph of Black and brown people. The show is rich with symbolism and motifs — some of which fans may not even realize they're witnessing. The Grammy-winning singer wrapped her Washington, D.C. area stop of her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour on July 7. She first launched her DMV stint with a dazzling performance on the Fourth of July. The holiday made for an especially significant night. Many fans online took note of her head-turning, Americana looks filled with red, white, blue and American flag imagery. They've been present throughout the tour, but the July Fourth show in the nation's capital brought them to the forefront and underscored her message. So much so that some of its significance may have gone over the heads of those casually tuning in online or even attending in person. Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, shared this sentiment in an Instagram post while highlighting some elements of the show. "It is truly a bold true statement. But still there are those who just don't get it," Knowles wrote. Here are some of the moments and symbols that may have gone unnoticed by casual viewers, but speak volumes about the deeper meaning behind Beyoncé's tour. A post shared by Tina Knowles (@mstinaknowles) Beyoncé opens the show with 'Ameriican Requiem' Each night, Beyoncé opens her show with her song "Ameriican Requiem," in which she sings "for things to change they have to stay the same." Later in the song she sings, "They used to say I spoke too country and the rejection came, said I wasn't country 'nough." Knowles notes, "If you listen to the lyrics it's a tribute to what this country was built on — the backs of Black and brown people." The truth is, country music's history is intertwined with America's history of segregation and exclusion. In concert, Beyoncé made a point to highlight this ongoing complexity through her interludes, outfit choices and more. There was lots of red, white and blue. There were a great deal of American flags, which plucked at the patriotism that is oftentimes associated with country music. Beyoncé seemed to highlight the irony of Black people and other minorities being historically and continuously ostracized in a genre they helped build, while also reclaiming the themes and colors as her own. Prior to releasing the album, Beyoncé got candid about creating the five-year project and alluded to her 2016 performance at the CMA Awards, which was met with an icy reception and harsh criticism. A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) Beyoncé covers Beatles' 'Blackbiird' — a song about the Civil Rights Movement After opening with "Ameriican Requiem," she goes on to sing her her Beatles cover "Blackbiird," inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, "The Star-Spangled Banner and "Freedom" — the theme song of Kamala Harris' presidential campaign. Then she wraps up the night's first act with "Ya Ya" — "whole lotta red in that white and blue." In the post, Knowles offers deeper insight into the layered meanings within the highlights the thoughtful intention, extensive research and pride that went into the show — especially the rich Black history embedded throughout. She even points to the meaning behind the song "Blackbiird,' which written by Paul McCartney about "young black girls paving the way for us and facing intense abuse to integrate the schools" — known as the Little Rock Nine. Beyoncé sings Jimi Hendrix's rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' In the same post, Knowles shared that Beyoncé actually sings a rendition of the national anthem by the late legend Jimi Hendrix. "The Star-Spangled Banner that she sings in the show is the rendition done by Jimi Hendrix so many years ago," she wrote. Knowles highlighted the significance of the performance, noting that it ends with the powerful lyric, ' I was only waiting for this moment to be free.' Following this moment, words appear on screen declaring, 'Never ask for something that is already yours.' Knowles wrote that Beyoncé's tour isn't just a performance — it's a statement. "Please take a listen," she wrote. "Thank you for really listening and recognizing all the thought and work the research and pride and unwavering courage it takes to do a record and a tour like this." These few elements only scratch the surface of the impact and significance of the tour and album. 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.
Scottish Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Beyonce pays tribute to Sir Paul McCartney for ‘writing one of the best songs ever' after singing hit at London shows
See also the eye-watering sum Bey made from her London shows alone LET IT BEY Beyonce pays tribute to Sir Paul McCartney for 'writing one of the best songs ever' after singing hit at London shows BEYONCÉ pays tribute to Sir Paul McCartney in an outfit created by his fashion designer daughter Stella. The superstar singer wore a T-shirt with two blackbirds on it — a reference to The Beatles' 1968 song Blackbird, which she recorded a cover of last year. 4 The superstar singer wore a T-shirt with two blackbirds on it — a reference to The Beatles' 1968 song Blackbird Credit: Instagram 4 Sir Paul McCartney pictured with Beyoncé last year Credit: Refer to Caption 4 The star recorded a cover of Blackbird last year - which she named Blackbiird Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Beyoncé, 43, has performed the song during her record-breaking shows at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London. She posted pictures on Instagram and wrote: 'Thank you, Sir Paul McCartney, for writing one of the best songs ever made. Every time I sing it I feel so honored. 'And it is a full circle moment to wear your beautiful daughter's design. 'Thank you, London, for creating unforgettable memories for me and my family. Holla at 'ya when I come on tour again!' Blackbird featured on the White Album and has a special poignancy for Beyoncé. It was written as a protest song against inequality in the US in the 1960s, when The Beatles refused to perform for a segregated audience. Beyoncé's cover — spelt Blackbiird — features on her Cowboy Carter album. After its release, Macca said: 'I think she does a magnificent version of it and it reinforces the civil rights message that inspired me to write the song in the first place.' Beyoncé sold more than 275,000 tickets across her six nights in London, with her gigs grossing more than £45million. She now holds the record for the most performances by any artist at the stadium, following five sold-out shows there in 2023 during her Renaissance Tour. 4 The star's outfit was created by Sir Paul's fashion designer daughter Stella Credit: Getty Beyonce 'giving away' Cowboy Carter tour tickets in London after struggling to fill seats Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Irish Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Beyonce pays tribute to Sir Paul McCartney for ‘writing one of the best songs ever' after singing hit at London shows
BEYONCÉ pays tribute to Sir Paul McCartney in an outfit created by his fashion designer daughter Stella. The superstar singer wore a T-shirt with two blackbirds on it — a reference to The Beatles' 1968 song Blackbird, which she recorded a cover of last year. 4 The superstar singer wore a T-shirt with two blackbirds on it — a reference to The Beatles' 1968 song Blackbird Credit: Instagram 4 Sir Paul McCartney pictured with Beyoncé last year Credit: Refer to Caption 4 The star recorded a cover of Blackbird last year - which she named Blackbiird Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Beyoncé, 43, has performed the song during She posted pictures on Instagram and wrote: 'Thank you, 'And it is a full circle moment to wear your beautiful daughter's design. 'Thank you, London, for creating unforgettable memories for me and my family. Holla at 'ya when I come on tour again!' READ MORE SHOWBIZ NEWS Blackbird featured on the White Album and has a special poignancy for Beyoncé. It was written as a protest song against inequality in the US in the 1960s, when The Beatles refused to perform for a segregated audience. Beyoncé's cover — spelt Blackbiird — features on her After its release, Macca said: 'I think she does a magnificent version of it and it reinforces the civil rights message that inspired me to write the song in the first place.' Most read in Bizarre Beyoncé sold more than 275,000 tickets across her six nights in London, with her gigs grossing more than £45million. She now holds the record for the most performances by any artist at the stadium, following five sold-out shows there in 2023 during her Renaissance Tour. 4 The star's outfit was created by Sir Paul's fashion designer daughter Stella Credit: Getty Beyonce 'giving away' Cowboy Carter tour tickets in London after struggling to fill seats Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beyonce fights back tears in emotional moment as she pays tribute to Tina Turner during final London show
Beyoncé brought her six-night run at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to an emotional close on Monday, telling fans she didn't want to leave as she was overcome with gratitude on stage. Wearing a shirt bearing an image of Tina Turner, the superstar paused during the final moments of her Cowboy Carter Tour show to tap her chest and point to the late music icon, who died last year in a sweet tribute. As the crowd erupted into applause and chants of her name, Beyoncé smiled and admitted: 'I don't want to go home'. She then composed herself before starting her iconic hit, If I Were a Boy to fans' delight. It was a fitting end to a record-breaking residency that saw more than 275,000 fans attend across six shows—earning over £45 million in ticket sales, according to venue figures. The run made her the highest-grossing artist in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium's history and the first to perform six concerts at the venue, beating her own five-show record set during 2023's Renaissance World Tour. The evening also featured a touching tribute to another music legend. Performing her rendition of The Beatles' Blackbird—renamed Blackbiird on her Cowboy Carter album—Beyoncé thanked Sir Paul McCartney for writing the song, which she described as 'one of the best songs ever made.' She later reiterated those sentiments on social media. Sharing a carousel of tour images on Instagram, she wore a custom Stella McCartney shirt featuring two black birds and the word 'Blackbiird' on the hip—a nod to both the song and the designer, who is McCartney's daughter. 'Thank you Sir Paul McCartney for writing one of the best songs ever made,' she wrote. 'Every time I sing it I feel so honoured. And it is a full circle moment to wear your beautiful daughter's design.' The singer included Blackbiird in every night of her London setlist, using the original Beatles recording as part of the arrangement. First released in 1968, the song was inspired by the American civil rights movement and remains a powerful anthem of resilience. McCartney, 82, has previously praised Beyoncé's cover. Beyoncé has paid a heartfelt tribute to Sir Paul McCartney, thanking him for writing The Beatles' classic Blackbird, which she described as 'one of the best songs ever made.' The tribute came after the final night of her six-show run at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where she closed out the UK leg of her Cowboy Carter tour. McCartney, 82, has previously praised Beyoncé's cover. 'I am so happy with @beyonce's version of my song Blackbird,' he wrote on Instagram last year. 'I think she does a magnificent version of it and it reinforces the civil rights message that inspired me to write the song in the first place. I think Beyoncé has done a fab version and would urge anyone who has not heard it yet to check it out. You are going to love it!' McCartney also revealed that the two had connected directly: 'I spoke to her on FaceTime and she thanked me for writing it and letting her do it. I told her the pleasure was all mine and I thought she had done a killer version of the song.'
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Essentials To Know About Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour In London
If you've been following all things related to Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour - from Tina Knowles revealing how Rumi begged to join her mum on stage, to Blue providing viral dancing moments on stage and celebrities dressing up for the tour - then you'll know that Beyonce's London leg commenced on June 5. The global star has made her highly anticipated return to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in June to kick of six London shows in the North London stadium as part of her Cowboy Carter World Tour. Between June 5 and 16, over 62,000 fans will see the singer perform her country album for the first time ever in the UK. If you've already got your tickets secured and want to know how you can plan ahead, below we list all that there is to know about performance times, setlists, what to wear, leaving the stadium, who will be opening for Beyoncé and more... then keep reading below. FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE Take a closer look at the full breakdown of the Cowboy Carter Tour setlist for the London dates below. Based on Bey's pervious performances, this list gives you a solid idea of what to expect, but keep in mind that every show has its own flair, so the lineup may shift slightly on the night. 'Ameriican Requiem' 'Blackbiird' 'The Star-Spangled Banner' 'Freedom' 'YA YA' / 'Why Don't You Love Me' mashup 'AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM' 'SPAGHETTII' 'Formation' 'MY HOUSE' 'Diva' 'ALLIIGATOR TEARS' 'JUST FOR FUN' 'PROTECTOR' 'FLAMENCO' 'DESERT EAGLE' 'RIIVERDANCE' 'II HANDS II HEAVEN' 'SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN'' / 'Summer Renaissance' / 'Pure/Honey' mashup 'Jolene' 'Daddy Lessons' 'BODYGUARD' 'II MOST WANTED' 'CUFF IT' 'TYRANT' 'THIQUE' 'LEVII'S JEANS' 'DAUGHTER' 'I'M THAT GIRL' 'COZY' 'ALIEN SUPERSTAR' 'TEXAS HOLD 'EM' 'Crazy in Love' 'HEATED' 'Before I Let Go' '16 CARRIAGES' 'AMEN' Given that the album country themed, western wear is the dress code for the Cowboy Carter tour. From double denim, to cowboy boots, hats, shorts and gold and silver jewellery, the options of what to wear are endless. Before you can sing your way through the stellar setlist, you'll need to plan how you're getting to the venue. Although Tottenham Hotspur stadium has advised visitors not to drive, there are plenty of other transport options to choose from. Heading to the stadium from central London? The nearest tube stations to the venue are Seven Sisters and Tottenham Hale, both about a 30-minute walk away. Conveniently, both are on the Victoria Line, so they are easily accessible from Oxford Circus, Kings Cross, and Euston stations. Several TFL bus services, including the W3, 149, 259, 279, and 349, stop at or near the venue. However, the stadium advises that on concert days, these routes may experience minor diversions due to road closures for the event. Need to reach the venue from East London? White Hart Lane on the Weaver Overground line is the nearest station to the Station, offering a direct connection from Liverpool Street. See more information from the Tottenham Hotspur stadium at the link here. The stadium doors open at 5 pm, with Beyoncé's anticipated to take the stage around 7.30 pm. However, based on her previous Cowboy Carter shows, she often begins her performance closer to 8.15 pm. Whilst nothing has yet been confirmed, given that Beyoncé hasn't had an opening act for her tour so far, there's no indication that this would change in London. However, rumour has it that Sir Paul McCartney may join Beyoncé on stage for her rendition of the Beatles song 'Blackbird', as well as support from her DJ. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has a restricted bag policy and requires all bags to be less than A4 in size (21cm long x 30cm high). Everyone knows that one of the best parts of going to a concert, is the pre-show itself. From getting ready with your friends, while blasting all of songs ahead of the gig, there's nothing quite like it. Whether you've already got a dedicated Cowboy Carter playlist or are still adding the finishing touches to your carefully curated playlist, Spotify are here to enhance that experience. The music streaming platform have created a limited-edition collection of playlist cover art stickers that you can add to your playlist throughout the tour. With designs that include cowboy boots, a Cowboy Carter sash and a 'TEXAS HOLD 'EM' license plate, you can easily access these by clicking the 'Create Cover Art' tool. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE. You Might Also Like Pyjamas You Can Wear All Day 10 Hand Soaps To Make Your Bathroom Feel Like A Fancy Hotel 8 Of The Best Natural Deodorants
