By Kim SoMajor
Beyoncé brought Third Ward, Houston to the world stage.
I’m not part of the BeyHive, but I respect excellence when I see it and Beyoncé gave just that in Houston. I’ve seen her live three times now. The first time I was hypnotized. The second time, blown away by Renaissance. This third time, with Cowboy Carter, she didn’t cast a spell, but she did something even more powerful. She stood tall in her artistry, owned her lane, and proved once again that she’s the best live performer walking.
A Journey Through Sound and Story
From the second the lights dropped and her voice opened “American Requiem,” it was clear she was taking us on a journey. Not just through sound, but through time, through lineage, and through truth. It was Beyoncé putting her Southern roots and Black womanhood on full display, not for validation, but for celebration.
A Setlist That Spoke Volumes
The setlist spanned decades. From “Blackbird” to “Diva,” “Love On Top,” “Tyrant,” “Put a Ring On It,” and “Alien Superstar,” it felt like she was saying, “This is the catalog. This is the work.” Everything felt intentional. She wove in songs from every era, and the way she mashed them together, it made the whole experience feel like one massive timeline. It gave “legacy” energy. She covered so much ground it almost felt like a send-off. Not in a sad way, but in a “let me give you everything before I disappear for a while” kind of way. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was her last world tour. We still have Act III coming, and word is it might lean into rock and funk. Whatever it is, this tour made it clear, not limited by genre. She can do that and more.
Fashion That Told the Whole Story
And the wardrobe changes? Unreal. Each outfit was more than fashion. It was storytelling. She gave us Western couture, a red fringe gown that moved like wildfire. A futuristic gold suit that opened to reveal a black sculpted bodysuit. A full LED-lit dress that felt like a nod to the club era of Renaissance, and a cowboy-themed ensemble that said country was hers now too. She wasn’t giving Nashville. She was giving Third Ward
with runway energy. She blended country, high fashion, and Afrofuturism in a way only Beyoncé could pull off.
Visuals That Made Her Human
The transitions between acts were cinematic and personal. Short films showed her as a femme fatale with grit and elegance, mixed in with unseen home video-style visuals of her children, family life and her healing process from a knee injury, allowing transparency with things she never shares. These visual storytelling moments brought a softness that grounded the show. It was vulnerable. It was human. It reminded the world that behind the icon is a mother, a woman with a body that’s carried the weight of decades in the spotlight, and still performs like she’s got forever to go.
What We Didn’t Get
Now let’s keep it real. One thing Houston was waiting for was a guest. It’s her hometown and a little cherry on top never hurt anybody. When she teased “Crazy in Love,” we thought Jay-Z might show up like he did in Paris. NRG Stadium was packed wall to wall. The energy in that building was something serious. But this time, it was all her. Maybe that was the point.
But the Guests That Mattered Most
But the true special guests of the night? Blue Ivy Carter and Rum Carter. Blue gave us polished performance as always, and Rumi was absolutely adorable. She loved the attention, and it’s clear she’s already taking notes from her big sister. It was a sweet, proud moment you could feel across the crowd.
That Tense Moment With the Red Cadillac
Then there was the moment with the red car. Her rig malfunctioned mid-air during “16 Carriages,” and for a second the crowd held its breath. She handled it like the icon she is. Calm, composed, and in full control. Once she got down safely, the place exploded. When she said, “If ever I fall, I know y’all will catch me,” it landed as more than a metaphor. Houston was standing on business. That crowd would’ve let her crowd surf in a slab if it came down to it.
A Powerful Farewell for Now
In the final stretch, the stage filled with dancers in American flag prints while she walked out in her fur coat, boots, Bald Eagle embroidered cat suit, and hat, standing in her power. She told Houston she loved us and thanked the crowd like it was personal. That moment was the goodbye. She left it all on the floor.
Not Just a Tour Stop, A Cultural Moment
This wasn’t just another stop on a tour. It was history in motion. Houston showed up for her, and she gave everything right back. Beyoncé didn’t just come home. It was a reminder that she is the moment, the blueprint, and the legacy on her own terms.