Beyoncé delivers a rousing kickoff to her Cowboy Carter tour

INGLEWOOD, California — Singer Beyoncé launched her Cowboy Carter stadium tour on Monday, rolling through “Texas Hold ‘Em” and other country-inspired hits and sharing the stage with her two daughters.

Beyoncé opened the nearly three-hour show at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles with “Ameriican Requiem,” appearing in an all-white cowboy outfit with long fringe on the sleeves as dancers in red performed around her.

For her cover of Dolly Parton classic “Jolene,” Beyoncé sat on a lighted horseshoe that floated above the crowd. She rode a gold mechanical bull for “Tyrant” and flew through the air in a red car while holding an American flag for “16 Carriages.”

Beyoncé’s 13-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, joined the backup dancers for several songs, including “Ya Ya” and “America Has a Problem.” She strutted down a long runway to lead a dance to “Deja Vu,” flipping her hair as she turned to walk back.

Seven-year-old Rumi Carter appeared on stage while Beyoncé performed the lullaby “Protector.” She waved both hands to the crowd and turned around to give her mom a hug.

Cowboy Carter earned Beyoncé in February. It was viewed by experts and fans as a reclamation and homage to an overlooked legacy of Black Americans within country music and culture.

“I want to thank all of those who came before me that allowed me to be on this stage today,” Beyoncé said at Monday’s show. “I want to thank my fans for allowing me to make this album. Thank you for giving me the creative liberty to challenge myself.”

Beyoncé also performed hits including “Formation,” “Cuff It,” and “Crazy in Love” from previous albums.

The tour, called the Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour, is scheduled to run through July in the US and Europe.

Many fans went all in on the cowboy theme, wearing Western hats, cowboy boots, and rhinestone-studded denim. Beyoncé thanked the crowd before ending with the song “Amen.”

“I feel so overwhelmed,” Beyoncé said. — Reuters