Taking Cowboy Carter on the road.
Last night in Los Angeles, Beyoncé kicked off her Cowboy Carter Tour with “Ameriican Requiem” before performing “Blackbiird” and the Star Spangled Banner, which transitioned into “Freedom,” the song that former Presidential candidate Kamala Harris used on the campaign trail last year.
She told the crowd:
“Oh Beyhive, it feels so good to be on this stage. I want to thank all of those who came before me that allowed me to be on this stage today. I want to thank you to my fans for allowing me to make this album. Thank you giving me the creative liberty to challenge myself.”
While there were rumors she was having a hard time selling tickets ahead of the tour, SoFi stadium pretty full, though I’m not so sure many fans loved hearing her do the National Anthem, as videos of it on X (Twitter) have gone viral, with many fans remarking on how they didn’t feel it was “appropriate” because of the current political climate.
I think Beyoncé was obviously trying to make a political statement herself by singing it, and it was a clear message about her own feelings on the country, though I think that was lost on many fans judging by the comments online… shocker. I’m honestly a fan of some of Beyoncé’s music, though I really didn’t listen to Cowboy Carter too much and certainly don’t think it was the Country Album of the Year, according to the Grammys.
Bey is certainly no fan of President Trump, and she appeared onstage during a campaign event for Kamala Harris in Texas, her home state, giving a short and pretty unenthusiastic speech (most likely a paid one) encouraging people to vote for then vice-President Harris.
Everybody knows she can sing so I’m not surprised that her national anthem performance was really good, but I’ll be interested to see if she keeps this one in the set list going froward:
Beyoncè performs the National Anthem at the COWBOY CARTER tour. pic.twitter.com/rwZiu5cqqP
— Pop Base (@PopBase) April 29, 2025
But like I said… people were actually mad about it. Once again, I think Beyoncé’s own political message was lost on many of her fans who apparently aren’t even very familiar with her music. Or maybe they just struggle to follow the storyline. Go read the words to “Freedom” again… it all seems pretty clear to me.
Is Bey running out of music to sing?
— Black Buddafly (@JillScottTwin) April 29, 2025
I bet they didn’t like that
— Reef (@Reefmetax) April 29, 2025
That voice. That control. Nobody holds a moment like her
— Capitán (@SirTopiano) April 29, 2025
She has no songs to sing ?
— Oleg (@Oleoleg123) April 29, 2025
All this during Trump’s administration…. So weird and tone deaf.
— Brunito (@ThePopStage) April 29, 2025
damn, even beyoncé can’t make that song sound good that’s crazy
— mell is Waiting On Kai (@jiwoonghusband) April 29, 2025
Me going to the bathroom during this song pic.twitter.com/kOOXkrFTJJ
— gaylinda the good bitch (@DAB_713) April 29, 2025
Damn I really am disappointed but not surprised.
— catholic homo ♊️ (@FernNerio) April 29, 2025
she has to perform national anthem since she has no recent hits to perform at her concert
— Bryce (@Brycefilo) April 29, 2025
No shade, but with everything going on in our country rn this feels like the last song we should be singing 😭
— Ryan (@BigBrotherCrack) April 29, 2025
Beyoncé baby no. Not right now.
— Bot type shii (@hutxgnx) April 29, 2025
Is she okay???
— #𝟏 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧 (@btchesisfinito) April 29, 2025
It’s tanked tour 😭
— car/ty (@carlotsp) April 29, 2025
she so performative lmfao
— krissy🌞 (@Krissyyhc) April 29, 2025
Oh that’s not
— landiwbw (@landhebsofb) April 29, 2025
And there’s a LOT more like that…
She also incorporated the flag into some of her wardrobe and other songs, and once again, fans who didn’t understand the messaging, were mad about that too:
@igorxtt Beyonce closes her 3 hours, 40+ songs Cowboy Carter Tour show with AMEN #cowboycartertour #beyonce ♬ original sound – Igor
