Beyoncé on the Renaissance World Tour at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on June 1, 2023.
Photo courtesy of Raph_PH, via Wikimedia Commons.

By Ashley Gilbert

Fan anticipation and excitement have continued to build with Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour which started in May. The tour’s opening night in Stockholm, Sweden, marked the beginning of an unforgettable global spectacle. From the streets of Europe to the cities of North America, Beyoncé’s tour was a musical odyssey that transcended borders and united fans from diverse cultures and backgrounds. 

The vibrant show filled with dazzling lights, an iconic wardrobe, and impeccable choreography is a scheduled production to last three hours. It is structured into six distinct acts in which Beyoncé performs most songs from “Renaissance” in the album’s order, scattered with songs throughout her previous albums.

Though the show’s setlist consists of many astonishing songs, it is missing some of her famous hits from recent albums. 

“Her Renaissance album is good, however, I prefer her old songs. For example, her number one hit ‘Blue,’ honoring Beyoncé’s 11-year-old daughter, would have been the perfect final touch to the show,” junior Anaise Escamilla said. 

Surprisingly, tickets for the iconic singer’s concert were somewhat affordable compared to other concerts currently taking place. Many fans were fortunate enough to experience the unforgettable show without breaking the bank. 

Forbes Magazine predicts that Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour could earn $2.1 billion in revenue, making it the highest-grossing tour of all time. If Beyoncé succeeds, she will become the most successful female act of all time. Madonna presently holds that milestone as she earned $1.4 billion from her concerts in July 2022. With expected sales of $1.9 billion from her ongoing Eras Tour, Taylor Swift is next in line. Beyoncé is close to taking the top spot, with earnings of more than $154 million from her European tour alone, according to Billboard. The Renaissance World Tour has already made history by making it the highest-grossing tour by a Black female artist, having already amassed $295.6 million in sales. 

Beyoncé’s tour not only set its sights on financial milestones but also embraced a profound sense of inclusivity and celebration of diversity. 

During her show, Beyoncé’s honors her uncle Jonny, a gay man who introduced her to house music. It would be an understatement to suggest that “Renaissance” would make him proud. With cameos from popular ballroom dancer Honey Balenciaga and tributes to drag icons, such as Kevin Aviance and Moi Renee, it’s one big queer party.

Amongst this vibrant celebration of music and the LGBTQ+ culture, another highlight of the concert is the mute challenge, a challenge that appears during the performance of “Energy,” specifically when she says, “Look around, everybody on mute.” At this point, everyone in the crowd stops moving and becomes silent, with some even freeze framing and remaining still. However, many audiences failed, as fans could not contain their excitement or screaming. 

Adele attempted the challenge at one of her own concerts, and similarly failed.

“When she sings “Everybody on mute,” you have to be quiet. Atlanta failed miserably. “There was a video I got shown this morning, and they were all screaming,” singer-songwriter Adele said. 

Her humorous take on the “mute challenge” perfectly summarizes the playful spirit of Beyoncé’s tour, adding a memorable twist to an already unforgettable musical journey. 

Overall, Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour will not only be remembered as a concert experience but also a testament to the enduring power of music and the spirit of togetherness.