Beyonce shined in silver, and fans left her metro Phoenix concert Crazy in Love

Dina Kaur, Arizona Republic
Updated ·7 min read
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Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour stop in metro Phoenix got off to a late start and had technical difficulties, but the BeyHive still left smiling.

The tour is in support of Beyoncé’s seventh studio album, “Renaissance.”

For her performance on Thursday, Aug. 24, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Queen B did not take the stage until 9 p.m., an hour after the scheduled time.

While the reason for that was unclear, she finally emerged with her powerful vocals, stunning wardrobe and talented dancers.

Her “Energy” was infectious, and you could see it in the crowd.

Beyonce's Phoenix setlist: Here's every song she sang at her State Farm Stadium concert

Does Beyoncé have an opener?

Beyoncé does not have an opener for her Renaissance World Tour. Instead, a portion of her show is titled Opening Act.

During this section of her Glendale concert, Beyoncé included "The Signboard" during a video introduction, "Dangerously in Love" (Destiny’s Child song), "Flaws and All" with elements of "Adventures in the Land of Music" by Dynasty, "1+1," "I'm Going Down" (Rose Royce cover), "I Care" and "River Deep, Mountain High" a Tina Turner tribute.

Beyoncé’s setlist included 'Cozy' and 'Love on Top'

Her soulful voice shook the stadium. The two songs fans went most crazy over were "Cozy" during the Renaissance portion of the concert and "Love on Top," which was during the Anointed section.

During her performance of "Cozy," pink was added to the background lights and reflected in her metallic outfit. She ended the song, which celebrates being comfortable in her own skin, by having her dancers hold up a pillow and blanket and by pretending to sleep, which the audience loved.

Beyoncé’s voice during "Love on Top" was strong and emotional. The smile on her face told you she was enjoying performing this number, especially when she let the audience sing a good portion of it. There was happiness on her face and the crowd's.

Beyoncé debuts a look by Situationist as she opens her show at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Thursday, Aug. 24, styled by Karen Langley. Jewelry by Tiffany & Co. Makeup by Rokael Lizama and hair by Neal Farinah.
Beyoncé debuts a look by Situationist as she opens her show at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Thursday, Aug. 24, styled by Karen Langley. Jewelry by Tiffany & Co. Makeup by Rokael Lizama and hair by Neal Farinah.

You could feel how 'Dangerously in Love' fans were

Despite the late start and technical difficulties, fans kept the good energy flowing. People were dancing, singing, hugging and chatting as they waited for Beyoncé to perform.

When she was onstage, the joy and love among fans continued as they sang along and wrapped their arms around each other song after song.

Fans sang at the top of their lungs to "Diva" and "Run the World (Girls)" during the Opulence portion of the concert.

Beyoncé left the stage for about 10 minutes during technical difficulties with the sound. When she returned to perform "Alien Superstar" she had changed into a flashy new costume with wings. She looked more energetic and powerful than ever and BeyHive went berserk.

Blue Ivy brought her powerful dance moves

The stadium vibrated with screams as Blue Ivy Carter, Beyoncé’s first-born daughter, took the stage during the song “My Power” and stayed on for “Black Parade.”

She danced alongside her mom and the other dancers, but you could feel all eyes on her.

Blue Ivy shined in silver sunglasses, a sparkling black top and shimmering silver cargo pants. She fell perfectly in sync with the other dancers. She's 11 years old.

When she whipped her hair – which was in a single braid – around, fans erupted.

“Please give it up for Blue Ivy Carter,” Beyoncé said as her daughter left the stage.

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Beyoncé is 'That Girl' in her spectacular clothes

Silver. That’s what comes to mind when you think of the set design, wardrobe and overall theme of the Renaissance World Tour. Beyoncé meant it when she requested a birthday gift of fans wearing silver during Virgo season (her birthday is Sept. 4) so she and the crowd could be surrounded in a “shimmering human disco ball each night.”

That’s exactly what it felt like at State Farm Stadium.

Throughout the performance Beyoncé stuck with a color palette of silver, black and gold, occasionally adding pops of color with a pink fur coat and beige bodysuit.

Beyonce's Renaissance Tour: Here's how big of a deal it is for Glendale, Arizona

The props and camera work elevated the experience

The show had fire, smoke, robotic arms, a chrome tank vehicle and a bright gigantic disco ball. It was a futuristic disco cowboy wonderland.

Throughout the show Beyoncé made the most of her props. Emerging from a seashell at the start of Anointed Part 2 during her performance of "Plastic Off the Sofa," the singer evoked Aphrodite.

Later, she looked majestic as she "flew" over the stage on a silver horse during her final song of the night, "Summer Renaissance."

The camera work made the audience feel right next to her. During her performance of "Pure/Honey" in the Mind Control portion of the show, Beyoncé grabbed the camera for an up-close shot of her singing. It felt personal, like she was recording a video or taking a selfie.

A round of applause for Beyoncé’s dancers

I don’t think the show would’ve been as lively if not for Beyoncé’s dancers.

They made eye contact with fans. They smiled and waved. They were infectious with their energy.

At one point, two dancers swung from poles high in the air, looking like they were going to fall. They were attached to harnesses the whole time, but by their performance it was hard to tell.

Les Twins — twin brothers Laurent and Larry Nicholas Bourgeois — particularly stood out as they wooed the audience during the “7/11” dance break with silver outfits, robotic masks and some amazing moves.

While "Pure/Honey" was performed during the Ballroom segment, Honey Balenciaga was a fan favorite due to her fierce walk and spectacular moves.

Beyoncé's dancers complemented her well and their matching outfits didn't hurt.

Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour 2023 setlist in Phoenix

She’s been performing all the songs from "Renaissance" in order, interspersed with highlights spanning her career.

Opening Act

  • "The Signboard" video introduction

  • "Dangerously in Love" (Destiny’s Child song)

  • "Flaws and All" (containing elements of "Adventures in the Land of Music" by Dynasty

  • "1+1"

  • "I'm Going Down" (Rose Royce cover)

  • "I Care"

  • "River Deep, Mountain High" (Tina Turner tribute)

Renaissance

  • "Renaissance" video interlude containing elements of "Where U At” & “Delresto (Echoes)”

  • "I'm That Girl" (containing elements of "Ape...")

  • "Cozy"

  • "Alien Superstar" (containing elements of "Sweet Dreams;" restarted due to sound malfunction)

  • "Lift Off" (Jay Z/Kanye West cover)

  • "7/11" recording; Les Twins dance break

Motherboard

  • "Motherboard" video interlude containing elements of “Beat That B...”, "Work It To The Bone" and “Percolator”

  • "Cuff It" (containing elements of "Cuff It (Wetter Remix)", "A Night To Remember" and "Love You Down")

  • "Energy" (containing elements of "End of Time" and "Countdown")

  • "Break My Soul" (containing elements of "Break My Soul (The Queens Remix)" and "Shake Your Body" by the Jacksons

Opulence

  • "Opulence" video interlude containing elements of "No Angel", "Pure/Honey" and "Ghost"

  • "Formation"

  • "Diva" (containing elements of "Just Wanna Rock" by Lil Uzi Vert)

  • "Run the World (Girls)"

  • "My Power" (containing elements of "Tanzania" and "Alright", including dance featuring Blue Ivy Carter)

  • "Black Parade" (containing elements of "Formation" and "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar)

  • "Savage (Remix)" (Megan Thee Stallion cover containing elements of "Yoncé")

  • "Partition"

Anointed

  • "Anointed" video interlude containing elements of "Yoncé" and "Family Feud"

  • "Church Girl"

  • "Get Me Bodied"

  • "Before I Let Go" (Maze featuring Frankie Beverly cover containing elements of "Freakum Dress")

  • "Rather Die Young"

  • "Love on Top" (containing elements of "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5)

  • "Crazy in Love"

Anointed Pt. 2

  • "Love Hangover" (Diana Ross song; background singers intermission)

  • "Plastic Off the Sofa"

  • "Virgo's Groove" (containing elements of "Speechless," " Rocket," "Cater 2 U," "Signs," "Dance for You" and "Say My Name"

  • "Naughty Girl" (containing elements of "Virgo's Groove" and "Love to Love You Baby" by Donna Summer)

  • "Move" (containing elements of "Move Ya Body" by Nina Sky and “Free Mind” by Tems)

  • "Heated"

  • "Already" (Les Twins dance break)

Mind Control

  • "Mind Control" video interlude containing elements of "Ghost," "Bootylicious" and "Single Ladies"

  • "America Has a Problem"

  • "Pure/Honey" (containing elements of "Blow")

  • "Summer Renaissance"

Reach the reporter at dina.kaur@arizonarepublic.com. Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Beyonce concert review: She shined, Blue Ivy danced, Les Twins dazzled