Beyoncé, Jay Z On the Run Tour: Critics and Celebrities Are Impressed
Musicians and power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z performed in New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Friday and Saturday nights, the latest stop on their On the Run tour. HBO announced Thursday that the network will air the tour this fall, and critics and celebrities alike have been praising the tour's headliners for an unforgettable show.
Two performers of this caliber joining each other for an entire tour is rare; rarer still is for the performers to be married couples. However, this is not new territory for Mr. Carter, who has toured with Eminem, Kanye West and, most recently, Justin Timberlake.
Newsday pop music critic Glenn Gamboa attended Friday night's MetLife performance, which he said was "awesome." Gamboa explained that the two stars alternated on stage, giving each other their respective space, but coming together to perform several of their collaborations, including "'03 Bonnie and Clyde," "Crazy in Love" and the recent smash hit off Beyonce's self-titled album, "Drunk in Love."
The couple played a 42-song set list, which lasted around 2½ hours, according to Gamboa. The show closed with a montage of private footage of the couple at their wedding or with their 2-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy.
"Jay and Bey watched the montage along with the rest of the audience," Gamboa wrote. "[They stood] arms around each other, on a stage in the center of the stadium, occasionally singing or rapping when it was needed but seemingly enjoying watching their life as well."
New York Times pop music critic Jon Caramanica attended the kickoff Miami tour date in June and described the complementary nature of having an iconic rapper and a queen of pop sharing the stage.
"Jay Z allowed for breezy enjoyment; Beyonce demanded full and reverent attention," Caramanica said.
Beyond critics, the Carters have some famous fans, as well. Fellow New York rapper Lil Kim tweeted that she received backstage passes to the New Jersey show for her birthday.
Radio host and MTV2 "Guy Code" cast member Charlamagne live-tweeted as the show progressed, confessing how much he wanted to sing and dance along with the hits.
"Beyoncé and Jay Z the best of my era but I'm an 80's baby," he tweeted. "Don't debate me I'm drunk and younger or older than you...,"
The "On the Run" tour began soon after a scandal surrounding the couple. Elevator security footage leaked by TMZ showed Jay-Z, Beyonce and her younger sister, Solange, attending the Met Gala in May. Although no audio can be heard, Jay and Solange exchange heated words, and the younger Knowles sister begins kicking the New York rapper before security guards separate the two.
The rest of the On the Run tour dates, as well as leaked set lists of the performances, can be found online.
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