Review : B/J On The Run Tour
I left the concert early with sore feet and very mixed feelings. I've seen Beyonce before and let me just say that yes I too bow down to The Queen and I attest to the slogan Don't worry
Be-Yoncé. But there was definitely something off last night.
I saw Beyonce and JayZ perform in Toronto to a packed venue of fans. I was excited and pumped to be in the 100 level bowl with a great view and buzzing fans all around me. There was no opening act, they started promptly at 9:00 and the 'On The Run' theme was really made obvious by the countless music videos that depicted them as criminals on the run.
Here are a few things I loved and hated about the concert. Let's start with the Hates, so we can end on a positive note.
Hated
6. Weak Merch : None of the shirts were nice, they were all lame and overpriced. I bought a fab concert shirt at the Mrs Carter tour and the merch was just a testimony that people know how to waste money.
5. Too many videos : I can watch a music video on youtube, I came to see you sing in person, that's what I want to see. At one point my whole section was sitting in their seats. They would sing something like 2.5 songs and then a video would pop up- it wasn't necessary.
4. Not enough chemistry : They are a great couple... I think. But the chemestry on stage didn't look genuine, their interactions were very rehearsed and they remained on opposite sides of the stage most of the night.
3. The set list: I felt like the set list was all over the place and many of the anticipated songs that B sang were cut in half - I'd rather she sing the whole song and change outfits less, or have fewer videos.
2. The clothing : Beyonce would be sexy in a burka. The fact that she wore an assless unitard. and basically humped the stage for 5 minutes while people cheered her on was totally unneccessary. JayZ wasn't shirtless, JayZ kept all his clothes on. It was kind of disturbing - it was disturbing. When Beyonce's voice was the most important part, she was usually clothed. In the song Resentment she wore a wedding gown and was seated. It was amazing - she wasn't shaking her butt, she wasn't naked it was actually music.
1. Mixed Messages : SO MANY MIXED MESSAGES. From a video about female empowerment and being a feminist cut to songs about a man taking everything you have, cut to singing about resenting the one you love for lying to you, to a speech (in video form) about forgiveness being the ultimate display of love. Are they happy together? I don't know. Do they love each other? probably. Instead of showing us a unified front, they kind of tip-toed around each other and it felt like 2 concerts held together by music videos. Their attitude on stage was weak - they really could have appreciated the audience more and celebrated Toronto like I've seen other artists (including Beyonce on the Mrs. Carter Tour) do. The inconsistancies really spoiled the night. AND THE MUSIC VIDEOS UGH.
Loved
1. Music : When there were actual moments of beautiful music, when Beyonce really sang her heart out, and when Jay Z really dropped a beat I felt AWESOME. Her voice is insane- it is a magical powerhouse that is Queen Bey. Plus, at this point you can't get any more gangster than JayZ. They are a gorgeous couple, that packs a stadium and knows how to pump up a crowd. For that the concert was a success.
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When I go to a concert I expect to be enthralled and entertained, taken to a new world. A year ago I stood at a Beyonce concert, tears rolling down my cheeks because of where her music and art was able to take me. I get that. Last night I felt like I was stroking their ego and that it wasn't about the audience- but just a blown up expression of their celebrity. Perhaps if I was more of a hardcore "fan" in general I'd think it was amazing regardless, but I pride myself on high standards especially considering the price and number of people there. I did go with my amazing girlfriend Melissa and even though my comments might be more harsh than constructive, we had a great time.
Ps. I bought an icecream - it was $6.75 !!!! hahahahah