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Jay Z and Beyonce On the Run tour review: 'A two-and-a-half hour joyride' Jay Z and Beyonce On the Run tour review: 'A two-and-a-half hour joyride'
(2 months later)
On a sweltering night in Miami, Jay Z and Beyonce kicked off their On The Run summer tour, and took the 76,000-strong crowd on a non-stop two-and-half-hour joyride, covering over 40 songs without an intermission.On a sweltering night in Miami, Jay Z and Beyonce kicked off their On The Run summer tour, and took the 76,000-strong crowd on a non-stop two-and-half-hour joyride, covering over 40 songs without an intermission.
The Sun Life stadium was packed (forcing many audience members stood on their chairs to get a decent view) but Jay and Bey kept their fans waiting, and started the show an hour and a half past ticket time. Once the show finally began, Jay and Bey charged through their repertoire at a spitfire pace. The Sun Life stadium was packed (forcing many audience members stood on their chairs to get a decent view) but Jay and Bey kept their fans waiting, and started the show an hour and a half past ticket time. Once the show finally began, Jay and Bey charged through their repertoire at a spitfire pace.
The lovey-dovey duo – glimmers of spontaneous affection, particularly those initiated by Jay Z, sent the crowd into a frenzy – began with Bonnie & Clyde, with Beyonce seductively walking into view to reveal a fishnet leotard and matching ski mask. They upped the tempo with Upgrade You, and Bey released her golden mane, hair flipping around her husband in true Sasha Fierce fashion. These high-octane bangers were among the show's strongest moments, allowing both performers to bask in their own unapologetic confidence. The lovey-dovey duo – glimmers of spontaneous affection, particularly those initiated by Jay Z, sent the crowd into a frenzy – began with Bonnie & Clyde, with Beyonce seductively walking into view to reveal a fishnet leotard and matching ski mask. They upped the tempo with Upgrade You, and Bey released her golden mane, hair flipping around her husband in true Sasha Fierce fashion. These high-octane bangers were among the show's strongest moments, allowing both performers to bask in their own unapologetic confidence.
For Crazy in Love, Jay and Bey decided to toss out the song's famous booty pop move for a straight-up twerk session, a decision surely appreciated by the front row. When Beyonce hit the mic with "I've been drinkin', I've been drinkin''" from a solo chair on stage, the crowd went wild. But instead of re-enacting their sexcapades on stage, the couple played the performance to the crowd, leading a call and response that could likely be heard miles away. Some songs came in snippets and the show occasionally felt rushed, but with over two decades of work under their jointed belts, how else could they get through their catalogue without pushing the three-hour mark?For Crazy in Love, Jay and Bey decided to toss out the song's famous booty pop move for a straight-up twerk session, a decision surely appreciated by the front row. When Beyonce hit the mic with "I've been drinkin', I've been drinkin''" from a solo chair on stage, the crowd went wild. But instead of re-enacting their sexcapades on stage, the couple played the performance to the crowd, leading a call and response that could likely be heard miles away. Some songs came in snippets and the show occasionally felt rushed, but with over two decades of work under their jointed belts, how else could they get through their catalogue without pushing the three-hour mark?
The tour played into both of the pair's strengths: Jay brought the Brooklyn bravado and Bey brought the southern strut. Next his wife, Jay Z isn't much a dancer, and when the tempo upped, he respectfully exited, letting her lead her Beyhive legions through their hip-shaking glory. On Why Don't You Love Me, the Queen B showed off her range and magnetism; she performed from head to toe, growling through notes with contorted expressions and stomping through dance moves as naturally as we commonfolk walk. The pair also went through about 10 wardrobe changes; despite the chewable humidity, they both rocked leather jackets during certain sets, a clear move towards cool versus comfort. The tour played into both of the pair's strengths: Jay brought the Brooklyn bravado and Bey brought the southern strut. Next his wife, Jay Z isn't much a dancer, and when the tempo upped, he respectfully exited, letting her lead her Beyhive legions through their hip-shaking glory. On Why Don't You Love Me, the Queen B showed off her range and magnetism; she performed from head to toe, growling through notes with contorted expressions and stomping through dance moves as naturally as we commonfolk walk. The pair also went through about 10 wardrobe changes; despite the chewable humidity, they both rocked leather jackets during certain sets, a clear move towards cool versus comfort.
The video clips accompanying OTR expand on the previously released trailer, reinventing the couple's modern day Bonnie and Clyde personas with gritty imagery, violence, and sex: Driving through the desert, they rob banks, take risque photos on a bed of money, and shoot a lot of guns. In a true nod to the 1930s outlaws, Jay and Bey eventually get caught by what we assume is the police and shot to death in their car. "Die in love and live forever", they whisper as the scene fades. After splattering the jumbo screens with their fake blood, it was time for the Carters to say farewell.The video clips accompanying OTR expand on the previously released trailer, reinventing the couple's modern day Bonnie and Clyde personas with gritty imagery, violence, and sex: Driving through the desert, they rob banks, take risque photos on a bed of money, and shoot a lot of guns. In a true nod to the 1930s outlaws, Jay and Bey eventually get caught by what we assume is the police and shot to death in their car. "Die in love and live forever", they whisper as the scene fades. After splattering the jumbo screens with their fake blood, it was time for the Carters to say farewell.
To end the night, Jay and Bey slowed it down with their two signature closing songs, Young Forever and Halo, while a collage of home videos starring Blue Ivy played in the background. This choice was surprisingly poignant; both records were written prior to Blue Ivy's birth but now act as a family homage. Clips of Blue's first steps and quiet moments with both parents humanized this larger-than-life couple.To end the night, Jay and Bey slowed it down with their two signature closing songs, Young Forever and Halo, while a collage of home videos starring Blue Ivy played in the background. This choice was surprisingly poignant; both records were written prior to Blue Ivy's birth but now act as a family homage. Clips of Blue's first steps and quiet moments with both parents humanized this larger-than-life couple.
After bidding the audience farewell and thanking them for participating, Jay Z took his lady by the hand and walked her from the center platform, through the crowd, and off stage. The tour now heads to Cincinnati, Ohio on June 28.After bidding the audience farewell and thanking them for participating, Jay Z took his lady by the hand and walked her from the center platform, through the crowd, and off stage. The tour now heads to Cincinnati, Ohio on June 28.