Beyoncé Renaissance world tour: What to expect

Beyoncé is back, kicking off her Renaissance World Tour in Stockholm, Sweden this week.

It’s the singer’s first tour appearance since 2016, so naturally demand for tickets was very high.

A fan who saw the opening night told BBC Newsbeat it was “the most expensive, craziest show I’ve ever seen in my life”.

From lights and love songs to inclusive venues, here’s what you can expect from Queen B’s mega tour.

The long-awaited 43 shows, which sold out almost immediately, showcase her Grammy-winning Renaissance album.

Demand pushed ticket prices in the UK to over £2,300 and Tottenham Hotspur violated their license by adding a second day.

It’s no surprise that Beyoncé packed stadiums, but fans who visited Stockholm said the show was well attended.

Like Ella A., said the three-hour show “felt like a tour through her career.”

“I don’t think we could have imagined how big it would actually be,” she says.

“There’s something about being in the midst of 50,000 people singing the same song passionately and then seeing an artist you’ve nurtured all your life.

“There were also many, many lights.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much light.”

Ella, a singer herself and a semi-finalist in Norway’s Eurovision competition, says Bey is her idol.

“She has been a lifelong inspiration for me,” she says.

“I think you’ll even see references to Beyoncé in the Eurovision semi-finals in Norway three months ago.

“In choreography, there’s always a little bit of her in everything I do because I grew up watching her all the time.”

Since Beyoncé hasn’t released a music video for “Renaissance,” the tour will be the first time fans will experience the song in a visual way.

For friends Grecia de la Paz and Alicia Corak, who were traveling across Europe to attend the show, the sight was worth it.

“Our throats are still healing,” they say. “We planned to spend the whole vacation around her.”

“It’s my first time in Stockholm, but you could say I’m here for Beyoncé,” Grecia said.

“The visuals were amazing, very futuristic. I lived for the costumes and the dancers are all so talented.

“They’re kind of part of the show and I really respect her for giving them an artistic moment.”

Renaissance celebrates black and queer dance culture, and fans said equality was a big theme on the first night.

Grammy Award record holder Beyoncé reportedly decided to make some of the restrooms at the venue gender neutral.

Grecia and Alicia said, “As soon as I entered the stadium, I saw the all-gender flag, the transgender flag, and the LGBTQ+ flag on the stage. .

“She pays tribute to the LGBTQ community.”

Friends say Beyoncé’s Black Parade tank performance also sent a message about equality and war in Ukraine.

“She’s really good at bringing a message to the show without being too candid, but just sharing what’s going on in the world, which was really nice.”

Ella noticed that too.

“Just looking at everyone, this crowd of people… for some reason, everyone was so inclusive and united,” she says.

“It’s a very inclusive community, united by a love of music, dance, art, and Bey himself.”

And Bay, Ella, Grecia, and Alicia, who headed down the first night, offer a few tips for those going to see the rest of the tour.

Don’t be disappointed if Beyoncé doesn’t perform your favorite song.

“I don’t think she played Single Ladies live, even if it was a huge song,” says Alicia.

“And she didn’t do ‘Halo.’ I’m very surprised, because I feel like she always ends the show with that song.”

“So when the show ended, we were waiting for her to come back.”

But fans told Newsbeat they weren’t too upset about not getting an encore. After all, she has a few more tour dates.