Today : Apr 29, 2025
Arts & Culture
29 April 2025

Beyoncé Kicks Off Cowboy Carter Tour With Daughters

The superstar's opening night at SoFi Stadium features family moments and a star-studded audience

Beyoncé officially kicked off her highly anticipated Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour on Monday, April 28, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The opening night was a family affair, as the superstar was joined on stage by her daughters, Blue Ivy Carter and Rumi Carter. Now 13, Blue Ivy returned to the stage with confidence, performing “America Has a Problem” and “Déjà Vu,” while her mother watched proudly from the sidelines. Rumi, just 7 years old, made her onstage debut during the performance of “Protector,” a track from Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album, creating a memorable moment for the family and fans alike.

Blue Ivy's journey as a performer began on May 26, 2023, during the Renaissance World Tour, where she joined the dancers for songs like “My Power” and “Black Parade.” Initially meant to be a one-off appearance, her performances quickly became a recurring part of the show. “Blue is an artist,” Beyoncé told GQ last summer. “She has great taste in music and fashion. She is a fantastic editor, painter, and actress. She has been creating characters since she was three. She’s a natural, but I did not want Blue onstage. Blue wanted it for herself.”

Rumi's appearance marked a significant milestone as it was her first time performing live. The moment was particularly special as a montage of Beyoncé with her children, including Blue Ivy and her twin brother Sir, played on the stadium screens after “Protector.” Beyoncé has emphasized the importance of family in her life, stating, “My kids come with me everywhere I go. They come to my office after school, and they are in the studio with me.” She added that her work schedule is built around her children’s school calendar, expressing her desire to expose them to different languages, architecture, and lifestyles.

The Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour consists of 32 stadium shows across North America and Europe, concluding on July 26, 2025, in Paradise, Nevada. The tour kicked off with a spectacular production, featuring a star-shaped stage and a massive runway. Beyoncé opened the concert with a powerful rendition of “Ameriican Requiem,” followed by a surprise performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and her Beatles cover “Blackbird.” The setlist included a mix of new tracks and fan favorites, such as “Freedom,” “Formation,” and “Daddy Lessons,” which was performed live for the first time since 2016.

Despite the excitement surrounding the tour, there have been concerns regarding ticket sales. Reports indicated that over 3,000 seats were still available at SoFi Stadium on opening night, with many being resold by scalpers. A source revealed that Beyoncé and her team are hopeful that ticket sales will improve as prices drop in the coming days. “Ticket prices could be slashed the evening of some dates to fill the seats if they are noticeably empty,” the insider noted.

Fans expressed their excitement for the concert, with many celebrities in attendance, including Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King. In an Instagram post, Gayle shared their outfits, which mixed in Western-friendly blue denim with white to match several of Beyoncé’s looks. “Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up!” Oprah shouted in a video as they prepared for the show. Another fan, singer Rita Ora, posted a video to her Instagram Stories expressing her excitement as she headed to the stadium.

However, the tour has faced scrutiny due to the recent controversy surrounding Kanye West, who made offensive remarks about Beyoncé's children on social media. In response, Beyoncé's family has defended their privacy, particularly regarding Sir, Rumi's twin brother, who was notably absent from the stage. It is believed that Sir prefers to stay out of the spotlight, as his personality is described as laid back and uninterested in the limelight. Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, and her ex-husband, Mathew Knowles, have previously hinted at the twins' differing personalities, stating that Rumi is outgoing while Sir is more reserved.

Despite the challenges, Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album has achieved significant success, topping the Billboard 200 chart, with the lead single “Texas Hold 'Em” hitting No. 1 on both the Hot 100 and Country charts. At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé won her first-ever Grammy for Album of the Year, along with Best Country Album, making history as the first Black woman to achieve this feat.

The excitement surrounding the Cowboy Carter Tour is palpable, with fans eager to witness Beyoncé’s latest country-tinged material. As the tour continues, the anticipation builds for the upcoming shows, with many hoping to see more of the family dynamic that has become a hallmark of Beyoncé’s performances.

With the Cowboy Carter Tour underway, fans are left wondering how the ticket sales will unfold and whether the association with past controversies will affect attendance. Regardless of the challenges, Beyoncé remains focused on her music and her family, continuing to inspire audiences around the world.