On Saturday (Jan 21.) Beyoncé performed at her first concert since 2018.
To inaugurate the grand opening of luxury hotel Atlantis, The Royal in Dubai, Beyoncé held an exclusive concert accompanied by Firdaus, a 48-person all-female orchestra and the Mayyas, an all-female precision dance group from Lebanon.
The 28-Grammy award winning artist, opened with with her version of the Etta James’ classic “At Last”. Her set included fan favorites, “Halo,” “Crazy in Love,” “Flaws and All” and “Be Alive.” Songs from her latest album, Renaissance, were not on her set list.
In true Beyonce fashion, the theatrical event featured an Egyptian-themed background with dancers and musicians adorning matching sequined garbs and headpieces.
Beyoncé greeted the invite-only audience with a yellow corseted dress topped with a feathered skirt and a feathered backpiece.
Blue Ivy, 11, joined Beyoncé to perform “Brown Skin Girl”, a collaboration with her mother that won them both a Grammy Award in 2021.
To close the performance, Beyoncé performed 2014 hit, “Drunk in Love” while being raised over 16 feet in the air over Skyblaze; the first water and fire performance fountain in the Middle East.
The Dangerously in Love singer was allegedly paid $24 million for her hour long set. Guests in attendance included her three children; husband, Jay-Z; parents, Tina Knowles-Lawson and Mathew Knowles. Her mentees, Halle and Chloë Bailey were present along with actresses Ellen Pompeo and Letitia Wright.
While the use of recording devices was banned, attendees still managed to capture and leak footage of the exclusive event online.
The singer will have a Renaissance Tour this year, slated for the summer of 2023. As of today, tour dates have not been announced.