For about three days after seeing Beyoncé live in Auburn Hills, my ears rang relentlessly and everything was high-pitched. I’ll probably sacrifice some hearing later in life, but it’s worth it to watch such an amazing performer. The floor “seating”, where I was, was standing room only and just as well; you won’t need a chair anyway.
It all started after work one day. I was listening to 98.7 AMP Radio and they announced the ticket give away. Caller 25 with the right phrase would win their way into the Queen Bey’s show. I decided, why not give it a shot? I dialed five times before the radio station’s phone actually rang for me; I couldn’t believe I managed to get caller 25. I’d had the phrase memorized so when the man who answered asked for it I gave it to him without a hiccup. That was it; I’d won tickets to see Beyoncé live!
Bey opens her show with an artistic video montage, a coronation of sorts. She gets donned with intricate royal attire, a crown and make-up and then marches in for “Run the World (Girls)” and “End Of Time.” The attitude she performs with is unmatched; when you watch her dance on a TV screen you’re only getting half of what it’s really like. When you see it in person there’s not much comparison. On her way to 32 and having had a child, you can’t help buy envy how well Bey takes care of herself and how dedicated she is to her craft.
After blowing the stage open Mrs. Carter slows it down for “Flaws and All,” my personal favorite, and “If I Were A Boy.” This part of the set makes it hard to deny her vocal range because the arena stays just as loud with Bey belting out her notes. Her first outfit change comes with “If I Were A Boy” as well, calling for a glittering black leotard with a tight sweater and a low slung matching hat.
And we in Auburn Hills got a little something extra; a song and video montage of Detroit’s finest musicians in a special dedication. Black and white images of downtown Detroit flashed behind Beyoncé on a giant screen as she sang her heart out for our beautiful city. “We love you, Detroit,” Bey said with a smile when she was finished.
Which Bey songs do you like? You’ll find most of them in the live show, ranging from her paradise hit “Baby Boy” to her viral dance sensation “Single Ladies.” She broke down lesser known ballads like “Miss You” and “I Care” from her latest album 4 with the attitude of a woman on fire. The crowd ignited for her biggest numbers like “Get Me Bodied” as well.
At one point, in a dazzling blue jump suit she literally swings (or flies, if you will) over to her “B” stage on the opposite side of the arena to perform “Irreplaceable,” “Love On Top” and “Survivor.” I was near this stage and these are three of my favorites so I was pretty much in heaven…save for the number of bodies pressed against me all trying to get a good view of the woman herself. “You must not know ’bout me, you must not know ’bout me” a little girl in pink sings as Bey leans down and puts the mic to her lips.
And just like that she’s back on the other stage to finish the show, going out with a bang with “Halo” and her own rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”
The lights go up all too soon and as quickly as Bey entered the stage, she’s gone. The stage is practically smoking behind her, and the buzz she left us all with remains for weeks after. If you’re looking for a real show, if you want to be entertained in every way and you like Beyoncé I highly recommend snagging a pair of tickets when she comes your way. It’ll be more than worth it.
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