Beyoncé and Jay-Z Live at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena

Beyoncé and Jay-Z began night one of two at the Rose Bowl on September 22. Their On The Run II Tour is coming to an end soon, but not before a bombastic set for the people of Los Angeles. The stadium tour kicked off earlier this summer, beginning in Europe, with the final show in London culminating in the release of their co-album, Everything is Love. The show is an intersection of a pop powerhouse performance and hip-hop swagger, peppering in both their hits and a couple of songs from the new album.

The night kicked off with 2013’s “Holy Grail,” with Beyoncé taking Justin Timberlake’s parts of the song. The set went back and forth between one another’s songs, finding ways to flow into the next via duet and narrative. As The It Entertainment Power Couple of the 21st century, a co-tour was the perfect opportunity to tell their story post-Lemonade and 4:44 (and a couple more babies). The set was divided into seven parts, each preceded by a video to interweave the songs and story. The videos featured the couple in Jamaica, featuring shots of the couple in a motel room, running to one another, beach landscapes and so on depending on the interlude.

The set appropriately reached approximately 90,000 attendees. The stage extended out into two separated catwalks, with a pit of particularly lucky fans in the middle. At center, the gargantuan screen came together and opened as needed, sometimes splitting into three and sometimes splitting into two. When the screen was halved, four levels of stages appeared, featuring various band members and dancers in all red outfits. Occasionally the center stage would rise up for Beyoncé, Jay-Z and crew to glide over the crowd to the end of the catwalks. Both Beyoncé and Jay-Z kept up with the evolving nature of the set with numerous outfit changes.

The pair powered through an introduction that included “Part II (On the Run)” and “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde,” making their way into the next part of the set, featuring the likes of “Drunk in Love” and “On to the Next One.” To segue, one’s song would begin as the other’s would end, such as when “Fuckwithmeyouknowigotit” flowed into “Flawless (remix).” Beyoncé stayed true to the “Feelin’ Myself” mantra, assuring everyone that “you know it’s your flaws that make you flawless.” Before a sensually slowed “Naughty Girl,” she asked, “Do we have any sexy ladies in Los Angeles?”

The testament to the power of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, particularly as a pair, can be seen in the everlasting energy throughout the stadium. An empty seat, even toward the end, or sitting attendee was a rarity. Gratitude and happiness quivered through the dancing and singing of 90,000 fans. If Beyoncé or Jay-Z put their microphone out for the crowd, they answered with the next lyric, no hesitation. After “Countdown,” Beyoncé went to each side of the stage for a cheering competition, her arms raising following a full-body squat. Following a strut down some steps, she sang “Sorry,” perhaps one of the most popular songs off Lemonade (special thanks to an iconic scene involving a baseball bat and yellow dress). Dancers appeared, but she was alone for the final line, a stretched “He better call Becky with the good hair.” She was whisked away via conveyor belt.

The next part of the set was prefaced by a segment that featured the couple fighting, getting into the part of the story about Jay-Z’s alleged infidelity. However, this part began with “99 Problems,” a song about dealing with everything but a girl. He appeared in a beanie and bulletproof vest, infamous mugshots flashing behind him that included the likes of David Bowie and Jay himself. At the end, he sat on a mirrored chair, which spun to reveal Beyoncé banging her head up and down. She now wore a spacey silver leo ensemble for “Ring the Alarm” and “Don’t Hurt Yourself.” In this bit, she proved to have possibly the strongest thighs ever and her ability to embody rock ‘n’ roll bravado. At the end, she stood center and licked her lips, the spotlights pointing to the sky. She shed the hard exterior for “I Care,” sitting on the mirrored chair once again. While the ballad built, Jay-Z entered, coming down from the top level of the stage, beginning “4:44.” Beyoncé left for the remainder of his response: “4:44” and “Song Cry.” He stood at the end of one of the catwalks, a foggy mist engulfing him. “I see your lights,” he said, garnering even more cell phones to illuminate the stadium. Beyoncé came out for a final word and sang “Resentment.” She walked out in a beige gown and dripping jewelry and sat at the end of the other catwalk, increasing her vulnerability (and hence empathy from the audience) tenfold. She asked, “Los Angeles, where are all my beautiful queens? Have you ever been lied to? Have you ever had your heart broken? This song is for you.” When she sang, “I know she was attractive,” she made a face that read “yeah right” and shook her head, to a response of cheers. To end, Beyoncé really lingered, somehow soothingly,  on “that bitch will never be me.”

The couple got worked through the infidelity bit through “Family Feud” and brought the part back with the likes of “Upgrade U” and “N***** in Paris.” They eventually made their way to the conclusion of their show, introduced by a video of a baptism of a young boy and what appeared to be a sort of baptism of Beyoncé with Jay-Z keeping her afloat in water. The duo came back once more clad in black and gold on the stage that moved down the catwalk. They began with “Young Forever,” Beyoncé singing the chorus of “Forever Young.” The song switched into “Perfect” sans Sheeran, Bey serenading Jay while holding his hand. A montage of the Carters and their kids played on the screen. As the stage moved back, Beyoncé requested the crowd sing the “Forever Young” chorus. “Alright now, you have to do a little bit better,” to which the audience did. When the song ended, the couple kissed, but it wasn’t a farewell. “It ain’t over yet,” and they kicked into “Apeshit.” The Mona Lisa projected from behind with “apeshit” upside down over her mouth. Dancers emerged from out of fog at the end of the catwalks. Back to center, Jay-Z paced to the side and Beyoncé executed final choreography, leading a pack of dancers. The Carters declared, “I can’t believe we made,” and while that makes for a good reflection, they make it a little hard to believe.

Set List

1. Holy Grail
2. Part II (On the Run)
3. ‘03 Bonnie & Clyde
4. Drunk in Love
5. Diva
6. Clique
7. Dirt off Your Shoulder
8. On to the Next One
9. Fuckwithmeyouknowigotit
10. Flawless (Remix)
11. Feeling Myself
12. Naughty Girl
13. Big Pimpin’
14. NICE
15. Run This Town
16. Baby Boy
17. Mi Gente (Remix)
18. BLACK EFFECT
19. Countdown
20. Sorry
21. 99 Problems
22. Ring the Alarm
23. Don’t Hurt Yourself
24. I Care
25. 4:44
26. Song Cry
27. Resentment
28. Family Feud
29. Upgrade U
30. N***** in Paris
31. Beach is Better
32. Formation
33. Run the World (Girls)
34. Public Service Announcement
35. The Story of O.J.
36. Déjà Vu
37. Show Me What You Got
38. Crazy in Love
39. Freedom
40. U Don’t Know
41. Young Forever
42. Perfect
43. APESHIT

Photo Credit: Sharon Alagna