Beyoncé – The Mrs. Carter Show 2014

I can’t believe it’s already been a month since I’ve seen Beyoncé! I’ve been meaning to write this report for so long already, but I’ve kept putting it off because I didn’t seem to find the time to do it. Isn’t it terrible if your life gets so hectic that you cannot even find the time to do the things you love anymore? This situation has been going on for much too long now and it only got worse during the last months. I’m so looking forward to May, when things will finally slow down!

Anyway, I need to stop whining! Let’s talk about Beyoncé!

I was a little surprised when I realized that this was the very first concert I have ever specifically taken a plane to. I’ve been to concerts in other countries, but that was either connected to some kind of holiday or I took a train or drove by car. So this show had better be good! But I had no doubt about that, come on, I mean… it was Beyoncé!

Cologne being the only German city for the 2014 “Mrs. Carter Show” meant a huge, eager crowd already queuing from very early in the morning. As my friend and I had those Early Entry Tickets again, we just did a short check on the venue and then left for a little shopping spree and a nice lunch at “Mongo’s”. Thanx to our special tickets, we still ended up at the front.

What can I tell you about the show? Considering that it was still the “Mrs. Carter Tour” from last year (see report), it had changed a lot. There were a whole lot of tracks from the new Visual Album included. Already after the opening song “Run the world“, Beyoncé sang “Flawless”. Have you noticed: This is one hell of a catchy tune! We sang it after the concerts for hours…or more like: days! “I woke up like this….” And we joked, that SHE probably really woke up flawless like this, whereas for US it was more like “Sorry! But *cough* I woke up like this…*blush*” the next morning after only four hours of sleep.

Next up was “Yoncé”. I love that song, the beat it amazing! I can listen to it 30 times in a row and it doesn’t get boring, so I was happy that she had included it on her setlist. Afterwards we got some good ol’ Bey with stuff like “Baby Boy” and “Naughty girl“, before another section of new song was introduced with “Blow”, “Haunted” and “Drunk in love”. As “Irreplaceable” is one of my favorites, I was thankful that this time she sang most of it on the main stage and only walked to the B-Stage at the end, shaking hands in the first rows on her way. “Love on top“, also one of my favorites, was then performed on the B-Stage. As nice as a B-Stage may be for those in the back, it’s always a bit frustrating when you’re at the front. Honestly, I prefer front stage only setups! It doesn’t make it so complicated as to where to stand best. I mean, with Beyoncé it was quite ok because she didn’t use the B-stage that much, but there are bands and artists that use it a lot and you’re kinda screwed no matter where you stand.

Of course there was “Crazy in love” and “Single ladies” (she is one hell of a dancer, too!) – but with a repertoire of this size it’s impossible to squeeze in all of her hits into one concert. I have to admit that I always enjoyed her little “Destiny’s child“-Medleys. I understand that she threw it out in favor of her own songs, but DC really had some awesome hits as well! On the other hand, I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed seeing “Heaven” and “XO” live for the first time. Both are just beautiful songs! And fit perfectly together with the closing song “Halo“, which is also one of my fav… do I repeat myself? Yes, I admit, there are way too many favorites among Beyoncé’s songs. Sooo… can we make the show three hours next time, Bey? Please???

Beyoncé – The Mrs. Carter Show

Beyoncé is one of my favourite artists, and as her last show I saw was not too long ago (22nd of May, 2013), I’m gonna start with her.

As always the concert was absolutely awesome! She never fails to amaze me. I wish I had the time to see more of her shows, but this time it was only Munich for me. My friends and me had “Early Entry Tickets”. These tickets were sold by Beyoncé’s concert promoter and cost 20 dollars. If you used them together with your actual ticket, you were allowed to enter the arena before the general public, which, of course, was quite comfortable. Still I didn’t like the way they, let’s say, “ordered” the crowd. There were special places beside the main stage and inside the B-stage, which could be bought for hundreds of dollars. I really have to state here, and I bet I will do that over and over again, that I strongly disagree with this new way of marketing concerts! The best spots in the house go to those who can afford to pay the most money. Is that really what artists (should) want? Is that a signal they want to send to their fans?

In 2002, I remember, I went to a “Destiny’s child”-concert in Hamburg. My friend and me were the first in line and some time before the gates opened, a lady came up to us and asked us whether we were interested in joining the Destiny’s child-fanclub because fanclub-members would get in first plus receive a meet-and-greet or got to dance with the girls on stage. Of course we joined and it was a once in a lifetime experience to dance on stage with Bey, Kelly & Michelle in front of 10,000 people! But what I’m getting at: What a difference a few years make! Ten years ago it were the members of the fanclub – the people who loved DC’s music, who bought their albums, who followed their careers – that were in the front and rewarded with special treatments. Today it’s those that have the money. One could say this is a reflection of our society in general, but either way: I don’t like it and it kind of destroys the experience! But maybe more of that in later posts! I didn’t want this first post to get that negative, but this really bothers me!

Anyway, Beyoncé live is the bomb and I would recommend seeing one of her shows to anyone who has even a small affection for R&B and full-blown entertainment! You can expect a show that’s on top of today’s standards with an awesome live band, thrilling choreographies and visual effects. And: This girl can sing! She’s even much better live than on her recordings.

I can’t wait for her next tour!

Here are some of my pictures. To make that clear right from the beginning: All pictures I will upload are my own photos, which I have taken from the audience with a pocket camera.