On The Run 2014 was a tour for the ages. With a format that saw the power couple together and apart at various times during the night, featuring brilliant segues between each of their individual sets and a heartwarming finale, one left the show thinking that evening could never be matched. So when it was announced there would be an On The Run II tour in 2018, it was natural to wonder “What will they do THIS time?”
Since that 2014 tour, it was made public in 2016 that the couple that taught us it’s possible for two of the most powerful artists in the music industry to share a life together without fault, had a lot of fault. Infidelities, insecurities and weaknesses were exposed on Beyoncé’s “Lemonade”, which addressed the rise and fall and rise of their love. Unlike 2014’s On The Run tour, where everyone wanted to join in on their lovefest, 2018’s On The Run II was a feeling of “So…um…are we still good?”
Bey’s Formation World Tour was a solo venture, proving she could rock stadiums all on her own without Jay’s hits or presence. So they definitely didn’t need to do this second round together. But they’ve insisted that their love is stronger than ever, so of course fans were ready to reunite as a family with their favorite pair once again.
It was definitely different to watch her sing about Jay-Z failing her when he wasn’t around than it was to feel Beyoncé’s pain and have her emotional abuser walk out immediately after presuming fan forgiveness. But the Beyhive obviously feel he’s done his penance and required work to win back her trust, so who are they to judge. Even if they aren’t on that page yet, he still has some pretty amazing songs that are impossible not to dance to. For many in the house, his catalog has been a part of their lives just as much as hers.
As is the case during a Beyoncé show, there were many costume changes along with fabulous choreography. Some of which has inspired many an Instagram post of a Beyhiver trying to emulate their Queen. Those keeping track of her will note that she changed outfits over the course of this tour, keeping things fresh for her eye candy-loving fans. The lucky people on the field got an up close look at the costumes each time she walked the extra long runways or floated above them on a roving stage over their heads.
The only negative to this show can’t really be complained about if you’re a safety conscious person living in these times. Due to the fact the show took place at an official NFL stadium, special bag rules were in place. Anyone going to an event at Gillette Stadium had to adhere to their very strict size requirements, and not only that, visibility requirements. If your small bag went over 8" x 5" x 2”, it had to be completely see-through. And even then, it could not go over 12" x 12" x 6”. Many people were turned away at the gate and had to make the big trek back to the car to either return their bag altogether, or transfer their items into a stadium-provided plastic bag. On a positive note, it was helpful that the stadium staff had such bags on their person in the parking lots to save time and arguments. They didn't have much opposition though, because nowadays, it's more of a priority to be able to go to a show without becoming a headline later that night.
Check out some of my photos from the show:
