Experience the Perplexity and Burstiness of Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour in New Orleans
Beyoncé has always been at the top of my must-see list when it comes to artists. So when her Renaissance tour tickets went on sale in the city where I live, London, I rushed to try and secure seats for one of her May shows. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get any. However, my FOMO (fear of missing out) kicked in when I started seeing scenes from her European shows on Instagram.
I was in awe as I scrolled through images of Beyoncé’s dazzling costumes, from sparkling tunics and matching boots to stunning evening gowns with gloves. What caught my attention even more was the fact that the U.K. shows featured outfits by renowned British fashion houses such as Alexander McQueen and Roksanda Ilincic. And to top it all off, the entire concert was broadcast on a stadium-width screen with mesmerizing visuals – no more worries about ending up in a “nosebleed” seat. The sheer magnificence of it all gave me chills.
Of course, the price of Beyoncé tour tickets was a concern. For the London show, I found a single ticket on a resale site for £187, which was still quite expensive. But then, I stumbled upon a return flight to Amsterdam for only £134. Suddenly, the cost seemed more reasonable, and I added the Amsterdam show ticket to my online cart. However, I hesitated at the last moment. The reviews of the resale vendor were abysmal – people complained about not receiving valid tickets. I couldn’t afford to take that risk. It was a heartbreaking decision, but I convinced myself that Beyoncé would come back on tour someday.
My first encounter with Beyoncé’s music was at a London club night in 2022, hosted by British DJ Annie Macmanus. We danced to “Break My Soul,” the lead track from her Renaissance album, and the crowd went wild at the sound of the opening bars. Afterwards, I couldn’t get enough of Beyoncé’s reworking of Donna Summer’s disco hit “I Feel Love” on her track “Summer Renaissance.” The entire album was a mind-blowing experience – joyful, fabulous fun that showcased Beyoncé’s confidence and expressiveness (“Comfortable in my skin, Cozy with who I am,” she sings on “Cozy,” the album’s second track).
Then, one day, I casually browsed Beyoncé’s U.S. tour dates and stumbled upon a single ticket for $137.40, fees included, for a show in New Orleans on September 27 – close to my birthday. The seat was far up in the gods, as the Brits say, with a slightly off-center view of the stage. On a whim, I decided to purchase it. I had become one of those people driven by YOLO (You Only Live Once) to travel thousands of miles to see their favorite artists perform live. With Beyoncé recently becoming the most-awarded Grammy winner ever, winning 32 awards, this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
To make the most of my trip, I planned a vacation around it. New Orleans, being one of the best places in the world to experience live music, seemed like the perfect destination. I managed to find direct flights with British Airways for a total of £750 return. The city was roughly 4,600 miles away from London, requiring a 10-hour flight.
Being no stranger to traveling alone, I prepared for the solo adventure by attending a DJ set by Redmond (known as Honey Dijon) at London’s Southbank Centre about 10 days before the New Orleans show. I danced the night away, getting lost in the mesmerizing beats of her mix of “Break My Soul.”
New Orleans turned out to be a fantastic place for sightseeing alone. I booked my stay at Virgin Hotels New Orleans, a conveniently located establishment just half a mile away from the Superdome stadium, which proved to be ideal for fellow concertgoers.
On the Sunday prior to the Renaissance show, I treated myself to the hotel’s Beyoncé Burlesque & Drag Brunch. Drag queen Laveau Contraire introduced a group of dancers wearing stunning Beyoncé-style leotards, feathers, heels, and wigs. It was a fabulous prelude to the much-anticipated concert.
As I browsed a local New Orleans newspaper online, I discovered that members of Beyoncé’s band would be performing at Snug Harbor, a renowned jazz club on Frenchmen Street, the night before the concert. Although I already had tickets for Preservation Hall, another iconic jazz venue in the city, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to catch the last hour of the show at Snug Harbor. Watching talented musicians like saxophonist Kat Rodriguez, trumpeter Crystal Torres, and singer Tayler Green perform up close was truly exhilarating.
Exploring New Orleans on my own was a breeze. I joined guided tours, from immersive walks around the famous French Quarter with its picturesque cast-iron balconies and bohemian galleries, to thrilling cycle tours that took me through the artsy Faubourg Marigny neighborhood, known for being founded by a Creole millionaire. During one cycle tour, our guide Danny Laurino pointed out a fascinating sight – at an intersection, we could see remnants of three different historical periods: the 19th-century Marigny, the 18th-century French Quarter, and the modern skyscrapers of the central business district, all within view.
The Garden District, with its opulent mansions once owned by sugar cane plantation owners, provided a captivating backdrop for another enjoyable walking tour. Afterward, I ventured into the shops along Magazine Street, the southern border of the district. At Magpie, a vintage outlet, I found a pair of long diamante earrings reminiscent of the ones Beyoncé would wear. Then, at Uptown Costume and Dancewear, I couldn’t resist picking up a rhinestone-adorned cowboy hat to wear to the concert.
But perhaps the most impactful experience was my trip to the Whitney Plantation, located about an hour’s drive from New Orleans along the Mississippi River. Unlike other sugar plantations turned museums, the Whitney Plantation focuses on telling the stories of the people who were enslaved there, rather than glorifying wealthy owners or showcasing architectural beauty. The Wall of Honor memorial pays tribute to several hundred slaves, while an exhibit dedicated to the 1811 German Coast Uprising displays decapitated heads on poles, symbolizing the executed rebels. Beyoncé herself delved into the history of black people in the United States in her 2016 album “Lemonade,” featuring powerful images of black women on the steps of a former plantation home in the music video for the title track. The music video for “Formation,” set in Louisiana, shows Beyoncé atop a New Orleans police car sinking into floodwaters caused by Hurricane Katrina, ending with her striking a powerful pose inside a plantation house.
The day of the Renaissance show in New Orleans finally arrived, and the city was buzzing with excitement. As I sipped my morning coffee at the hotel’s rooftop bar, a woman in the swimming pool nearby exclaimed, “I’m getting ready for tonight’s concert with my aqua aerobics! Gotta stay limber.” A man in a yellow Beyoncé-themed top and cowboy hat, holding a pink drink, stood next to her. It was evident that everyone was eager to witness the magic of Beyoncé’s performance.
I started my day with a delicious brunch at Willa Jean, where the cocktails were creatively themed around Beyoncé’s songs. Afterwards, I made my way to Vue Orleans, an interactive exhibit at the Four Seasons Hotel that provided valuable insights into the city’s past. As I walked toward the museum, a passing car’s window rolled down, and a man shouted, “It’s Beyoncé day!” New Orleans was truly alive with anticipation.
Dressed in my sequined and diamante outfit, I arrived at Caesar’s Superdome for the concert. The energy was electrifying – fans from all walks of life, adorned in glitzy attire, eagerly awaited the start of the show.
My journey to see Beyoncé perform in New Orleans was an experience like no other. It was a celebration of music, culture, and history all rolled into one unforgettable adventure. I immersed myself in the atmosphere of the city, explored its fascinating past, and eagerly awaited the moment Beyoncé would take the stage. The anticipation was palpable, and I knew I was about to witness something extraordinary.
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