Beyoncé Sets the Stage Ablaze During 'Cowboy Carter' Tour Kickoff in Los Angeles

Beyoncé on the opening night of her COWBOY CARTER TOUR on April 28, 2025 in Inglewood, Calif. Julian Dakdouk

By Elise Monroe

staff writer

May 2, 2025

Beyoncé proved once again why she's a global force as she launched her long-awaited Cowboy Carter tour this week in Los Angeles. From soaring across SoFi Stadium in a neon horseshoe to cruising through the air in a red convertible Cadillac, the iconic performer seamlessly blended country flair with her signature theatrical showmanship — all while performing chart-toppers spanning her career.

Opening night was followed by a dynamic second show that thrilled fans with unexpected setlist additions like “Single Ladies,” “Love on Top,” and “Irreplaceable.” Clad in rhinestones, sequins, and cowboy hats, thousands of fans turned the stadium into a glittering Western dreamscape, ready for a three-hour spectacle that balanced cinematic storytelling, high-energy choreography, and emotional resonance.

After earning her long-overdue Album of the Year Grammy for Cowboy Carter in February — a win captured in a now-viral meme of her stunned reaction — Beyoncé kicked off the tour with nods to that moment in a series of powerful photo montages. The visuals traced her monumental career and underlined the profound impact of her genre-blending work.

Thursday night’s performance opened with “American Requiem” and transitioned into a heartfelt dedication of “Blackbird” to the trailblazing women who came before her. Moments later, she brought the crowd to life with “Freedom” from Lemonade, lighting up both the venue and fans’ interactive wristbands in synchronized bursts.

The surprises didn’t stop there. During “Ya Ya,” her piano caught fire as a robotic arm dramatically poured her a glass of her signature whiskey, SirDavis. Later, Beyoncé welcomed her daughters Blue Ivy and Rumi on stage, along with her mother Tina Knowles — the latter celebrating the No. 1 debut of her memoir Matriarch on The New York Times Best Sellers list.

Although many expected the setlist to remain fixed after opening night, Beyoncé delighted the crowd with unexpected classics and brief nods to her Destiny’s Child era — including a tease of “Bills, Bills, Bills.” And while hopes were high for a Miley Cyrus guest appearance during “II Most Wanted,” the stage remained reserved for Beyoncé’s family only.

Beyoncé’s emotional gratitude was evident throughout both nights, as she paused to thank the L.A. crowd for supporting her artistic evolution. At one point, she smiled in awe and remarked, “That sounded really good,” appreciating the experience of performing Cowboy Carter live for the first time.

The show’s underlying theme carried a subtle but powerful message of patriotism amid adversity. From a montage of critical Fox News clips to a masked Statue of Liberty looming over the finale, “Amen,” the visual storytelling conveyed a sense of fractured Americana. Still, Beyoncé wrapped herself — and her production — in red, white, and blue, offering not just a concert, but a poignant celebration of resilience, reinvention, and joy.

In true Queen Bey fashion, Cowboy Carter isn’t just a tour — it’s a cultural moment. And for three unforgettable hours, she reminded everyone exactly what American music — and Beyoncé — do best.