PART V: THE COWBOY CARTER TOUR – THE RODEO BEYONCÉ BUILT
They said Country wasn’t for her. She said, “Bet.”
And now she’s stormed the charts, dominated every genre, and quite literally saddled up to launch the most culturally rich, genre-defying tour of her career — Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit” Tour.
What’s In a Name?
Let’s start with the name:
“Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit” isn’t just poetic — it’s purposeful. The “Chitlin’ Circuit” refers to the network of Black-friendly performance venues across the U.S. South during segregation — spaces that allowed Black artists to perform when white-dominated venues shut their doors. By invoking that legacy, Beyoncé isn’t just giving a nod to the past; she’s reclaiming and rewriting it — reminding us that country, gospel, blues, and rock were all birthed in Black soil.
This tour is both homage and healing. It’s a freedom ride in rhinestones.
LA Rodeo: Where Soul Meets Saddle
Opening night at SoFi Stadium on April 28 was not a concert — it was a Queen energy fully activated. Fans showed up like they were ready to walk a Yeehaw Met Gala to music awards red carpet: fringe, denim, rhinestones, cowboy hats, grills, and glossy lips. You could feel the culture vibrating before she even hit the stage.
And when she did, it was cinematic. Beyoncé emerged like a sheriff of sonic justice — part preacher, part outlaw, full icon. Every detail — from custom leather looks to stage visuals paying homage to Black rodeo queens and southern matriarchs — was meticulously layered with symbolism, legacy, and attitude.
A Setlist That Spanned Generations and Genres
She didn’t just perform songs — she unpacked history.
The set traveled through Cowboy Carter in its entirety, blending original tracks like “AMERIICAN REQUIEM,” “YA YA,” and “DAUGHTER” with covers flipped on their heads — like the now-iconic “Jolene” and the Black gospel-turned-two-step revival of “BLACKBIIRD.”
“TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” wasn’t just a dance break — it was a stadium-wide stomp, a country cookout thrown in the middle of Inglewood, and every fan knew they were part of something bigger.
She also revisited older albums, but with a twist — integrating western twang into songs from Renaissance, Lemonade, and B’Day, transforming every track into a new genre-bending spiritual.
The Critics and the Hive Are Screaming
Rolling Stone called it “a radical reclaiming of country’s stolen roots,” while The New York Times wrote that Beyoncé “threads personal legacy through public history with theatrical brilliance.“
And the Hive? Unfiltered praise:
@BeyFanBaddie: “This ain’t just a tour. It’s reparations on horseback. #CowboyCarterTour”
@RenaissanceMama: “Beyoncé got me two-steppin’ through my trauma. I ain’t well.”
@NashvilleNever: “I’ve never liked country. I guess I just needed Beyoncé to fix it.”
Even legacy country fans had to admit — this wasn’t crossover. It was a cultural revolution, stage by stage.
A Love Letter to Black Women
What sets this tour apart is who it uplifts: Black women. From the all-Black, all-female band to the tribute visuals of Black cowgirls and elders in headwraps and cowboy hats — Beyoncé isn’t just performing in a space we’ve been erased from; she’s rebuilding it with our names engraved on every beam.
She’s not asking for a seat at the table. She built the table, brought the cornbread, and curated the playlist.
My Personal Cowboy Carter Experience – May 9th, SoFi Stadium
Where do I even begin? My Cowboy Carter tour experience started in full chaos — Friday was hectic, I still had to work, manager’s hat on, dealing with never-ending property management chaos, and I ended up leaving 20 minutes later than planned — and I could’ve used every bit of that 20.
But I had prepped everything in advance: got a glow-up tan, laid my honey blonde wig (my summer vibe!), and started glam the second I clocked out. If you’ve read my blog before, you know I rock wigs due to alopecia — and baby, I was not about to miss this look.
After a quick pregame with the girls, a limo ride, and navigating L.A. traffic, we pulled up. And yes, I came to slay — I wore a white cropped tank, distressed cutout jeans, denim chaps-inspired with cascading gold chains, strappy gold heels, and a glittering gold cowboy hat. The look was giving Rodeo Couture Barbie, and trust me, heads turned. This was the fit you plan weeks in advance for — from the bronzed glow to the honey-blonde curls and every chain draped just right. My feet? Already in protest, but my look? Unapologetically BeyHive-approved. Lines were long, vibes were high. My girl hit the liquor line to get Don Julio shots, I hit the concession line for loaded nachos (bomb, btw) and Modelo beer chasers… don’t let the prissiness fool ya, I’m a beer girl, lol.
While we missed the start from our seats, we could hear it with the amazing system and caught a peak of it as we wrapped up to head to our seats. I hate walking in stadiums — I have a weird fear of bleachers, lol.
She came out guns blazing at 8:05 PM with AMERIICAN REQUIEM, followed by BLACKBIIRD, then a soulful, reworked Jimi Hendrix-inspired Star-Spangled Banner. She didn’t sing the whole thing either — skipped the “land of the free” and instead dropped a lyric from Blackbird: “You were only waiting for this.” People had critiques, but this wasn’t a ballgame. This was Beyoncé reclaiming a moment for us — expressive, spiritual, intentional.
Next was FREEDOM — short but powerful. Then it was just non-stop energy: YA YA, AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM, SPAGHETTII, MY HOUSE, DIVA… every act was a carefully crafted sonic rollercoaster. I partied harder at this show than Renaissance, no lie.
The tour touched every genre Beyoncé has ever explored — gospel, blues, R&B, funk, country, pop. Her genius is in the blend. And let’s be real: Beyoncé is a student of music, always honoring those before her — Tina, Michael, James Brown — while redefining sound in her own lane.
Let me confess: I wore heels. Because Beyoncé dances in heels for 2+ hours, right? But my poor feet were screaming. I almost took them off but I knew I was too old to be walking barefooted and risk stepping on glass, rocks, or dirt — gross. I couldn’t do it, so I toughed it out.
She took us from ALLIGATOR TEARS to PROTECTOR, JOLENE, ANGEL, THIQUE, and even snippets from Destiny’s Child like BILLS, BILLS, BILLS and SAY MY NAME. She blended SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN’ with PURE/HONEY and SUMMER RENAISSANCE — and it was pure honey, pure joy, pure lit.
She sang some of my absolute favorites too — COZY and the viral sensation CUFF IT (yes, the TikTok dance that had mamas, daughters, and aunties all hitting that shoulder roll!).
And when she said, “Welcome back to the Renaissance,” the crowd erupted.
She closed with AMEN, but sprinkled in iconic bangers like CRAZY IN LOVE, SINGLE LADIES, LOVE ON TOP, and BEFORE I LET GO. She even gave us a taste of BODYGUARD, II MOST WANTED, and 16 CARRIAGES. It was her LA finale, and she gave everything.
Miss Rumi made another appearance — shy, sweet, and still soaking in the spotlight. You could see how proud she was of her mama and overwhelmed by the scale of it all. And Miss Blue Ivy? She stepped out like a young icon-in-training. Her confidence has skyrocketed since Renaissance. She’s tall, glowing, and that walk? Runway. Still shots don’t do her justice — she’s blooming into her mama’s twin. Whether it’s singing, dancing, or acting, one thing’s for sure: Miss Blue Ivy is here to stay and slay.
As I process what I witnessed, I’m already planning Vegas. I need to see it again — this time not as overwhelmed, but as a full-circle fan ready to soak it all in again.
So what’s in store for Act III? Rock? A Destiny’s Child reunion? I have a feeling she’s going full Rock Star and ruffling feathers again. And honestly, I’m manifesting a DC reunion tour or Vegas residency. After that, she might want to sit her behind down — because listen, we know her vocals and her knees are tired, lol. Let her daughter-ager, Blue Ivy into her next season, lol.
Beyoncé could stop recording and touring right now — because she literally owes us nothing. But somehow, she continues to give us everything. I can’t wait for a Cowboy Carter reboot and whatever magic she drops next with Act III.
Spoiler Alert: Tap the video below for a Cowboy Carter Tour recap—featuring Beyoncé’s beautiful vocals and amazing crowd participation!
