
photo via cnn.com
Flawless vocals? Check
Amazing production values? Check
A 200 person marching band? Check
100 backup dancers? Check
Appearances by Jay Z and Solange? Check
A Destiny’s Child reunion? Check
History being made? Check
If you haven’t caught on by now, this is a checklist of everything that occurred last night on the stage in Indio, California where Beyoncé performed her historic 2-hour set at Coachella.
After backing out of her performance last year due to getting pregnant with her now 10-months-old twins Rumi and Sir Carter, Beyoncé took the next 15 months to plan an event that would push her creative, musical, and performance abilities to new creative heights.
Her set celebrated blackness by translating the HCBU experience to Coachella’s festival setting complete with a marching band, a drumline, a majorette, a probate, a step show, fireworks, and a set that resembled bleachers at a homecoming rally.
Beyoncé’s commitment to putting on an amazing show didn’t stop there.
For one, she orchestrated a Destiny’s Child reunion that saw the trio of Yoncé, Kelly and Michelle performing a three-song medley of “Lose My Breath”, “Say My Name” and “Soldier” complete with awesome dance breakdowns.
She also managed to bring husband Jay-Z up for a performance of “Deja Vu”, hinting at what’s in store for their On the Run 2 Tour this summer.
Yoncé even managed to bring in Solange for a dance off to the extended version of “Get Me Bodied”. It was a fun and thrilling set to behold. (Pun intended)
Like so many of Beyoncé’s performance over the last decade, there were so many layers to this performance. Brief covers/incorporations of songs that have shaped her artistry were featured as well, including Dawn Penn’s “You Don’t Love Me”, Nina Simone’s “Lilac Wine” and “Strange Fruit”, and Fela Kuti’s “Zombie”. She even sang the Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and mixed it with her own song, “Freedom”
The fact that Beyoncé hasn’t released new music since her 2016 magnum opus Lemonade but can still manage to create hype and anticipation is a testament of her legacy as an artist and entertainer.
How can Beyoncé possibly top herself this time?
We have no idea, but we’re 100% sure she’ll find a way.
After all, she’s Beyoncé.
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