Beyoncé at MetLife Stadium in July 2023 was not just a concert — it was an event, a spectacle, a full-scale audiovisual odyssey that confirmed why Queen Bey remains not only relevant but untouchably iconic. From the moment the stadium lights dimmed and the opening signboard video flickered to life, the night promised a journey through her past, present, and future, and the audience — a sea of tens of thousands — was primed for every moment of it.
Unlike many stadium shows that rely solely on spectacle, this performance was a carefully curated narrative. Beyoncé didn’t just perform songs; she told a story, one that traversed decades of artistry, cultural commentary, and personal empowerment. Each set, each video interlude, each dance break was part of a larger arc, and the sheer scale of it was staggering.
Setlist:
THE OPENING ACT
The Signboard (video introduction)
Dangerously in Love (Destiny’s Child song)
Flaws and All (contains elements of “Adventures in the Land of Music” by Dynasty)
1+1
I’m Going Down (Rose Royce cover)
I Care
River Deep, Mountain High (Ellie Greenwich cover — Tribute to Tina Turner)
RENAISSANCE
RENAISSANCE (video interlude — contains elements of “Where U At” & “DELRESTO (Echos)”)
I’M THAT GIRL (extended spoken intro — contains elements of “APESHIT”)
COZY
ALIEN SUPERSTAR (contains elements of “Sweet Dreams”)
Lift Off (JAY Z & Kanye West cover — shortened)
7/11 (Les Twins dance break)
MOTHERBOARD (video interlude — contains elements of “Beat That Bitch”, “Work It To The Bone”, & “Percolator”)
CUFF IT (contains elements of “CUFF IT (WETTER REMIX)”, “A Night To Remember” & “Love You Down”)
ENERGY (contains elements of “End of Time” & “Countdown”)
BREAK MY SOUL (contains elements of “BREAK MY SOUL (THE QUEENS REMIX)” & “Shake Your Body” by The Jacksons)
OPULENCE
OPULENCE (video interlude — contains elements of “No Angel”, “PURE/HONEY” & “Ghost”)
Formation (shortened)
Diva (shortened — contains elements of “Just Wanna Rock” by Lil Uzi Vert)
Run the World (Girls) (shortened)
MY POWER (shortened — contains elements of “Tanzania” & “Alright”)
BLACK PARADE (contains elements of “Formation” & “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar)
Savage (Megan Thee Stallion cover — Remix)
Partition (shortened)
ANOINTED
ANOINTED (video interlude — contains elements of “Yoncé” & “Family Feud”)
CHURCH GIRL (shortened)
Get Me Bodied (shortened)
Before I Let Go (Maze cover — shortened — contains elements of “Freakum Dress”)
Rather Die Young (shortened)
Love on Top (contains elements of “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5)
Crazy in Love
ANOINTED – PT. 2
Love Hangover (Diana Ross song — background singers intermission)
PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA
VIRGO’S GROOVE (elements of “Speechless”, “Rocket”, “Cater 2 U”, “Signs”, “Dance for You”, & “Say My Name”)
Naughty Girl (shortened — contains elements of “VIRGO’S GROOVE” and “Love to Love You Baby” by Donna Summer)
MOVE (contains elements of “Move Ya Body” by Nina Sky)
HEATED
ALREADY (Les Twins dance break)
MIND CONTROL (song played from tape)
MIND CONTROL (video interlude — contains elements of “Ghost”, “Bootylicious” & “Single Ladies”)
AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM
PURE/HONEY (contains elements of “Blow” — extended voguing outro)
SUMMER RENAISSANCE (extended intro)
A Monumental Opening
The show opened with a cinematic video signboard that set the tone for the night. Massive projections, synchronized lighting, and Beyoncé’s unmistakable silhouette introduced a narrative that threaded through her career — personal, political, and artistic. When the first notes of “Dangerously in Love” hit, the crowd erupted. It was more than nostalgia; it was an affirmation of how far she has come from Destiny’s Child to a solo queen ruling the pop landscape.
“Flaws and All” followed, blending Dynasty’s “Adventures in the Land of Music” and Beyoncé’s own vulnerability. The juxtaposition of power and intimacy set the tone for the first segment: this was a performer in full command, yet emotionally accessible. Her voice floated effortlessly over the MetLife soundscape, showing off the clarity and control that have made her performances legendary.
“I’m Going Down,” a Rose Royce cover, was a particular highlight. Her interpretation transformed the classic soul ballad into a moment of pure vocal theater. The backing singers provided lush harmonies, and the live instrumentation gave the track an authenticity that recordings simply can’t replicate. “I Care” and “River Deep, Mountain High,” the latter a tribute to Tina Turner, carried the first act to a close with precision and flair, blending homage with her inimitable style.
Renaissance: Reinvention and Futurism
The first video interlude of the Renaissance section transitioned seamlessly from her soul and R&B roots into modern dance and electronic textures. Beyoncé used elements of “Where U At” and “DELRESTO (Echos)” as a backdrop to an energetic set that felt futuristic yet grounded in her signature sound.
“I’m That Girl” came with a spoken intro that built anticipation. The performance fused her commanding stage presence with the choreography precision that only she could pull off. Every move felt intentional, every beat a call-and-response with the audience, even from thousands of feet away.
The energy maintained momentum through “COZY,” “ALIEN SUPERSTAR,” and “Lift Off.” While the JAY Z and Kanye West cover was brief, it served as a nod to her collaborative history, grounding the futuristic aesthetic in personal and cultural context. The Les Twins’ dance break during “7/11” was a visual explosion — their athleticism matched only by Beyoncé’s ability to dominate the stage while seeming effortless.
“MOTHERBOARD,” a video interlude incorporating multiple electronic beats, seamlessly transitioned into “CUFF IT,” blending remixes and interpolations in a way that felt fresh, not chaotic. The crowd sang every word, showing the uncanny ability Beyoncé has to unite tens of thousands in a single voice.
Power and Politics
One of the night’s most striking aspects was her integration of political and social commentary without disrupting the flow of the show. “ENERGY” and “BREAK MY SOUL” were not just musical moments but declarations. Elements from “End of Time,” “Countdown,” and The Jacksons’ “Shake Your Body” highlighted Beyoncé’s skill at embedding history, activism, and dance into one cohesive performance.
The “OPULENCE” video interlude served as a momentary palate cleanser before hitting the audience with shortened versions of “Formation,” “Diva,” and “Run the World (Girls).” Despite being condensed, each song carried maximal impact. The visuals, choreography, and crowd participation demonstrated that Beyoncé can take even a truncated song and make it monumental.
MY POWER and BLACK PARADE leaned into intersectional narratives, with interpolations from Kendrick Lamar and Megan Thee Stallion. The remix of “Savage” was a stadium-level banger — a perfect storm of beats, power, and audience engagement.
Intimate Moments Amid Spectacle
Even in a 82,500-person stadium, Beyoncé created intimacy. “Love on Top,” with Jackson 5 nods, and “Rather Die Young” allowed her voice to shine without being overwhelmed by pyrotechnics or video projections. These moments reminded the audience of her vocal virtuosity and her ability to connect directly, even in the world’s largest venues.
The interlude featuring “Love Hangover” and the video-led segment “ANOINTED PT.2” further emphasized her versatility. She could command the arena with dance-heavy, beat-driven tracks and immediately pivot to soulful ballads that demanded quiet reverence.
Dancing, Visuals, and Precision
One of the hallmarks of this performance was how carefully choreographed yet natural it felt. From the Les Twins’ breaks to the voguing outro of “PURE/HONEY,” every visual and dance element accentuated the music rather than overshadowed it. Beyoncé moves with the precision of a drill sergeant and the grace of a prima ballerina, and the seamless transitions between high-energy dance tracks and slower vocal showcases never felt jarring.
“VIRGO’S GROOVE” and “MOVE” incorporated multiple interpolations, highlighting her knowledge of music history and her ability to make every element feel intentional. Whether it was Donna Summer, Nina Sky, or classic Beyoncé tracks, the show was both a retrospective and a forward-looking statement.
Closing the Loop
The final segment, featuring “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM,” “PURE/HONEY,” and “SUMMER RENAISSANCE,” left the stadium buzzing. The extended voguing outro, accompanied by the full video interlude, was a celebration of dance, music, and cultural commentary rolled into one. The audience — exhausted, elated, and awestruck — experienced something that felt both monumental and personal.
Every song, every beat, every visual moment was calculated yet effortless. Beyoncé has reached a point where her sheer command of her craft allows her to be both performer and curator, guiding her audience through decades of her artistry in one electric night.
Final Thoughts
Beyoncé at MetLife Stadium was a masterclass in modern pop performance. She combined technical brilliance, cultural commentary, and pure spectacle without ever feeling overproduced. Each video interlude, dance break, and song interpolation was thoughtfully executed, keeping a stadium of tens of thousands engaged and energized from start to finish.
The show demonstrated why Beyoncé is not just a pop star but an institution. She commands every inch of a massive stage while making it feel intimate, she bridges past, present, and future effortlessly, and she makes artistry feel larger than life.
For anyone doubting her ability to carry a stadium show, this performance was the answer. Beyoncé didn’t just play a concert — she created an experience that will be remembered as a defining moment in live music performance.
Grade: A