OTR II – The Carters in concert
Jay-Z, Beyoncé dazzle Minneapolis to a show filled with masterpieces
Mansoor Ahmad
Staff Photographer
The power couple came to the U.S. Bank Stadium Wednesday, Aug. 8 and put on a moving performance filled with some of their most familiar hits.
While the famed duo had visited the Twin Cities individually before, their first time together was one for the books. The Carters put together a setlist featuring a number of hits from across their lengthy, critically acclaimed careers.
Although not performing a few of their most loved tracks, the dynamic duo did make up for it by performing a couple from their first joint album “Everything Is Love”.
Beginning the night for the Carter family was the young, fiery duo Chloe X Halle. Fans were still filling up the U.S. Bank stadium as the performances began, but it only went louder with every song.
Their glittering dresses shone across the stage as the singers were dwarfed by the gigantic, multi-paneled screen behind them, “OTR” written across the screen spilt into three.
But perhaps the most iconic sight of the night was the entrance of the R&B famous couple. Holding hands and dressed in all white, emulating wedding attire, Beyoncé and Jay-Z descended on an elevator to a booming Minneapolis crowd.
The show began with the Carters alternating between verses on “Holy Grail”, with Jay-Z rapping in his signature, hard-hitting style and boldness, coupled with Beyoncé’s graceful rendition of the chorus originally sung by Justin Timberlake.
Being the first time I ever saw either of the superstars, there couldn’t have been a grander introduction.
As the show progressed, the stage transformed multiple times with the tour’s back up dancers performing alongside Beyoncé on several songs.
Combined with thematically connected visuals being played throughout the show, the concert could be conceived as one, big performance, with an underlying message of love and unity.
But as if that was not enough, the mesmerizing stage production kept ‘evolving’ throughout the last 10-15 songs.
With her troupe literally on board, Beyoncé and co. performed “Run the World (Girls)” while the stage, now raised over the middle section between the two longer, runway-esque stages emerging from either side of the main stage, moved over the fans in the middle to resounding cheers. It was literally a moving performance!
Other highlights from the beautifully intricate show was the equally astounding vocal performance of Beyoncé on “Perfect Duet”.
As if it wasn’t the perfect way to end a 40-song setlist, the Carters topped the low-tempo track with the upbeat, rhythmic “Apes**t” off their sole joint album. It’s now safe to say that I’ve seen a crowd go apes**t, and it was amazing.
Header photo: Beyonce and Jay-Z perform on the ‘On The Run II’ tour at US BANK Stadium on August 8, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Raven Varona/Parkwood/PictureGroup)
