Music

Beyoncé Plays Renaissance World Tour Opener in Sweden, Dances to Lil Uzi Vert's "Just Wanna Rock"

Beyoncé kicked off her Renaissance World Tour with one of the best setlists she has ever assembled, and clips are already driving fans wild.

This is Beyonce
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - MAY 10: (Editorial Use Only) (Exclusive Coverage) Beyoncé performs onstage during the opening night of the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” at Friends Arena on May 10, 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Parkwood)
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On Tuesday, Beyoncé began her highly anticipated Renaissance World Tour at Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden for a sold-out crowd of 46,000. The show kicks off Bey’s first global solo run since her 2016 Formation Tour, nearly seven years ago.

Snippets and streams of Beyoncé’s performance sent fans into a frenzy across social media. In the clips below, for example, the queen hit Lil Uzi Vert’s “Just Wanna Rock” dance sensation as she remixed “Diva” in a transition.

Along with the electrifying appearance of “Just Wanna Rock,” Bey worked some of Britney Spears’ pop hit “Toxic” into her Renaissance track “Thique.”

She also seemingly acknowledged Donald Glover and Janine Nabers’ much-debated limited series Swarm.

“Swarm on these hands, n***a,” she shouted to the crowed while dressed in a Queen Bee costume.

The Amazon Prime show was largely inspired by Beyoncé and her Beyhive, as a crazed fan protagonist murders people who diss her favorite singer. Many viewers tracked the eerie similarities between the show’s fictional entertainer, Ni’Jah, and the 32-time Grammy-winner.

According to the Friends Arena website, the artist performed for three hours. The setlist—featuring Bey as her own “opener”—might be one of her most iconic to date, hitting well over 30 songs in addition to multiple mashups.

A couple tracks from her husband’s catalog made the cut, including what could be her live debut of “Lift Off” from Watch the Throne as well as a bit of “Family Feud” from Jay-Z’s 13th studio album 4:44, one of the Carters’ many collabs.

The intricately arranged show also sees every song off Renaissance get its moment.

Beyoncé’s journey through Europe will continue through June, with the North American leg beginning in Toronto, Canada on July 8 and wrapping Sept. 27 in New Orleans.

For more on the Renaissance World Tour, check out Jessica McKinney’s primer on Complex.

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