Beyoncé and JAY-Z’s OTR II Chicago concert at Soldier Field was absolutely amazing! It was an epic experience you had to be there in person to witness. For those who weren’t… don’t fret this review will best describe the tour.
Music’s self proclaimed billionaire couple known as The Carters performed hit songs from both of their epic personal playlists as well as duets from tracks off their new album Everything Is Love. Bey sang tracks from her Lemonade album among others while Jay lent soulful collections from his 4:44 album. (See full set performance list below.)
THE EXPERIENCE
The OTR II Chicago concert was so electric you could feel it in the air. When I say, the entire stadium engaged with the show from the second Hov & Bey walked out until conclusion… they did! There was absolutely no sitting at this event. There was never a dull moment- the audience were completely interactive with every song performed. Everything they requested of the crowd everyone participated. For instance, Beyoncé commanded the stadium to put hands on the person next to them in preparation for a massive “Swag Surfin” movement. To witness a sea of people all in unison Swag Surfin was so dope! To add even more astonishment and suspense to the show, Bey’s stage lights illuminated the sky similar to a Batman call sign. We all peered upward wondering what was coming next.
The stage was elaborate, multi-leveled and animated. I thought the airport style horizontal escalator was quite clever. It added a stationary- yet motion effect to performances. Beyoncé would seem to walk in place as Sasha Fierce marched down the runway. Background dancers were strategically placed across four story tiers with their silhouette acting as the backdrop. The stage itself actually shift in various directions. There was smoke, flames and fireworks of course. The onscreen visuals were dope too. Displaying them with their children, vacationing, when they got married, Beyoncé dancing for Jay-Z, and more.
Beyoncé Performing at OTR II Tour in Boston Massachusetts by Driely S Carter
I love how they alternated going back and forth performing. Yoncé’s outfits were to die for! Most notable were her black patent leather leotard, head-to-toe Burberry hooded leotard with thigh high boots to match, the brass colored fringed couture leotard with sparkly thigh high boots, and my favorite featured a shimmery gold dress and flowing grape purple cape.
One of my favorite songs the pair performed was “Black Effect.” Bey was so dynamic with her faces, expressions and moves as she complimented Jay’s rhymes. But the song that resonated with me the most was “Sorry.” Referencing Jay-Z’s past infidelity with Becky- though the Queen switched it up in the lines…
“She had to look her in her eyes, and know that she had half of her, but the bitch ain’t even half of her…”
THE VENUE
We have to comment about the experience of the facility at Chicago’s Soldier Field. To be honest, it was extremely cumbersome and chaotic. Many patrons missed Chloe X Halle’s in addition to Chance The Rapper dropping in on DJ Khaled’s opening performance because they were redirected to lockers to store purses or bags due to the NFL’s “clear bag policy.” The stadium or ticket sellers made no mention of this which caught concert goers by surprise. Some got desperate and stashed their handbags in bushes in hopes it would be intact upon return (which we even saw abandoned purses lying on the ground.) Furthermore, the traffic was insane and the traffic directors made traffic far worse in fact. Those episodes could make the concert experience horrible, however, knowing who you were going to see made enduring the turmoil worth it. We must reiterate the OTR II Chicago concert was an absolute experience to remember!
ENTIRE SET LIST
Holy Grail
Part II (On The Run)
’03 Bonnie & Clyde
Drunk In Love
Diva
Clique
Dirt Off Your Shoulder
On To The Next One
FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt
Flawless
Feeling Myself (Nicki Minaj cover)
Naughty Girl
Big Pimpin’
Nice
Run This Town
Baby Boy
Mi Gente (J Balvin cover)
Black Effect
Countdown
Sorry
99 Problems
Ring The Alarm
Don’t Hurt Yourself
I Care
4:44
Song Cry
Resentment
Family Feud
Upgrade U
N****s In Paris
Beach Is Better
Formation
Run The World (Girls)
Public Service Announcement
Story of OJ
Deja Vu
Show Me What You Got
Crazy In Love
Freedom
U Don’t Know
Young Forever
Perfect Duet (Ed Sheeran cover featuring Beyonce)
Apesh*t
Did you attend Beyoncé and JAY-Z’s OTR II Chicago concert? Tell us about your experience in the comments below! Missed it? Did my review fill in any voids for you… tell me in the comments.
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