Beyoncé took over DC this past weekend for two nights of her Renaissance World Tour. For this 24th stop of 39 cities, the BeyHive traveled from all over the country to Landover’s FedEx Field for the Renaissance experience.
Night One: Partying in Perfect Weather
Fans, celebrities, and even DC’s political elite packed FedEx Field for the first night of Club Renaissance. The Obamas, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Solange, Jay-Z, and Tina Knowles were all in attendance. (The next day, Jay-Z and Solange would enjoy brunch in Chevy Chase.) The 41-year old star arose from the stage at 9 PM, kicking off the night.
@leilaostria I have 0 words from this night. DC night 1 was UNREAL. Storytime coming soon🥹 #beyoncerenaissance #beyonce #renaissanceworldtour #beyhive #beyoncerenaissancetour #beyoncetickets #beyonceconcert #fedexfield #dc ♬ original sound – Leila Ostria
To the one of one, the number one, the only one, @Beyonce, thank you for a fun date night. pic.twitter.com/gURWXPYmUR
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) August 6, 2023
@beyonceuniversity Beyoncé and her first set of twins last night in DC 🤍🫶🏽 #beyoncé #lestwins #renaissanceworldtour #rwt #beyhive #beyonce #beyonceuniversity ♬ original sound – Beyoncé University
Solange, Jay Z & Miss Tina in Club Renaissance tonight!#RENAISSANCEWorldTour pic.twitter.com/cvPgm36j69
— RENAISSANCE Updates🪩 (@B7Album) August 6, 2023
@t.opical I just couldnt keep still for her first song 😩 was shooookkk #renaissancetour2023 #beyonce #washingtondc ♬ original sound – 𝔞𝔩𝔦𝔶𝔞
A dance appearance from Blue Ivy Carter, Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s 11-year-old daughter, was one of the highlights of the three-hour show. Carter has earned her stardom throughout the tour, accompanying Beyoncé as a background dancer for songs such as “Diva” and “Run the World (Girls).” Singer, songwriter, and Beyoncé’s sister, Solange Knowles, praised her niece in an Instagram story saying “Address me as Blue’s auntie only.”
.@solangeknowles sharing footage from @Beyonce’s #RENAISSANCEWorldTour in Washington DC (NIGHT 1). 🪩 pic.twitter.com/soxHk9Abw3
— DC3 SQUAD (@DC3_SQUAD) August 6, 2023
Beyoncé & Blue Ivy performing in Washington DC for a crowd of over 50 thousand people, including Vice President Kamala Harris & the Obamas#RENAISSANCEWorldTour pic.twitter.com/y9KWJXwfXH
— RENAISSANCE Updates🪩 (@B7Album) August 6, 2023
Bey & Blue holding hands as they exit the stage tonight in DC 🥹#Round2 #RWT2023 🪩 pic.twitter.com/1XIxlFRnS9
— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@BeyLegion) August 7, 2023
Day Two: Chaos and Frustration—But “Worth It”
With night one a success, energy for the finale remained high. More big names, including political strategist Symone Sanders, White House correspondent Eugene Daniels, actor Boris Kodjoe, and actress and model Nicole Ari Parker, came out for the second Bey-Day. Fans once again made the 24-minute walk from the Metro station to the stadium in thigh-high boots and metallic outfits. Tailgaters set up shop in the parking lot. Tens of thousands crowded toward the stadium around 6:30 PM before a shelter-in-place order was imposed due to lightning. “We are in a shelter-in-place. Please come inside or go back to your cars,” yelled one staffer through a bullhorn. Eventually rain poured down, worrying the many attendees who had traveled far. “I hope it doesn’t get canceled,” said Justin Pagan, who traveled from New Jersey for the show.
Chaos and confusion ensued as the storm ebbed and flowed. Guests were forced to stand under the concourses until the order was lifted, creating large crowds around the many entrances. As attitudes and impatience flared, there was some tension between the stadium staff, police, and fans. At one point, a gate entrance was closed and did not reopen until well after the order was lifted at 8:25 PM. Many turned to social media to express their frustration.
Ok now that we’ve had the DC Beyoncé concerts let’s talk about DMV infrastructure.
— Jonquilyn Hill (@jonquilynhill) August 7, 2023
It’s pouring rain, people are slipping and sliding in the lobbies/bathrooms and the drink/food stands are running out of cups. @FedExField @Beyonce @fox5dc pic.twitter.com/mhW5emBERS
— Tionah Lee or Tati (@holaitstati) August 7, 2023
Chaos at @FedExField with police as fans try to get inside stadium for @beyonce @RENAISSANCEWorldTour @fox5dc pic.twitter.com/PAmvnobN2w
— Marissa Mitchell (@MarissaMFOX5) August 7, 2023
Sat in the rain and wet clothes for hours, ended up walking the wrong way from the stadium and took over an hour to find a ride, and it was still worth every moment. However FedEx Field is a mess — they clearly have no idea to handle that capacity and the stadium is raggedy af.
— Lauren H (@laurenhtexas) August 7, 2023
To the people who saw Beyoncé yesterday in DC: You won. It’s 9pm and we are still at the gate because the MORONS working the entrance at @FedExField won’t let us in. Also, it’s raining.
— Ronse Esangbedo (@Ronse325) August 7, 2023
To accommodate the fans at the delayed concert, Beyoncé’s team paid $100,000 for the Metro to run another hour, allowing 98 stations to remain open while guests traveled home.
When the show finally began around 10 PM, Bey did not disappoint fans who had spend hundreds of dollars on tickets, walked about a half-hour from the Metro sometimes in stilettos, and waited in the pouring rain to see her in concert. The videos of the performer singing and dancing in the rain are something to see. Not to mention that DC was officially awarded the Mute War winner, an ongoing challenge where the singer “mutes” the crowd in her song “Energy.” The city who is the quietest takes the crown.
Pouring but so worth it!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾 #Beyonce #RENAISSANCEWOLRDTOUR pic.twitter.com/nYn0jpQ1ZD
— Jeannette Reyes (@Fox5DCJeannette) August 7, 2023
Two hours in the pouring rain and never missed a beat or a note. Iconic. #RENAISSANCEWOLRDTOUR #DC #BeyHiveA #Beyonce pic.twitter.com/cZkP3GqckF
— Tiffany Wright (@MooreWright05) August 7, 2023
IDK y’all I think DC might’ve won the mute wars 😂#RENAISSANCEWOLRDTOUR 🪩 pic.twitter.com/kWkigP2R1A
— 💅🏽Openly Black✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 (@iamTiinake) August 6, 2023
