Beyoncé made her first public appearance in four years on Saturday night, during a private concert in Dubai to celebrate the opening of the luxury hotel Atlantis the Royal.
She didn’t play anything from her new album Renaissance, instead delivering a 75-minute set full of songs she hadn’t played in a long time. She opened with a rendition of Etta James’ “At Last,” backed by an orchestra, band, and dancers, before treating the invite-only audience to hits like “XO,” “Halo,” “Freedom,” “Beautiful Liar,” “Flaws and All,” and “I Care.”
Beyoncé performing Beautiful Liar in Dubai Atlantis The Royal Concert #BeyonceInDubai #Beyonce pic.twitter.com/XCk4Ugx0WS
— Dslab (@mdiab9) January 21, 2023
The highlight came when she invited Blue Ivy to perform “Brown Skin Girl” for the first time. Beyoncé and JAY-11-year-old Z’s daughter, Blue, was greeted with loud applause as she dueted with her mother on their 2019 Grammy-winning collaboration, with Blue even breaking out some dance moves.
“Where have all my brown-skinned girls gone? “Give it up for my baby, Miss Blue Ivy Carter, my brown skin girl,” Bey said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Se você ama mulheres de pele marrom, eu quero que me ajudem a cantar esta canção.” — Beyoncé com Blue Ivy antes de cantarem Brown Skin Girl juntas. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YObsgDuL39
— Beyoncé Access (@beyonceaccess) January 21, 2023
Blue Blue 🥺😍💙 #BeyonceInDubai #BlueIvy #Beyonce #BlueIvyInDubai pic.twitter.com/FEuczRy5ux
— Bre { Manifesting Era } (@Rare_Breduh4) January 22, 2023
She also praised her twins, Rumi and Sir, who traveled to Dubai with JAY-Z and Beyoncé’s parents, Tina Knowles-Lawson and Mathew Knowles. “My beautiful children have come to see their mother perform,” Beyoncé said to the audience.
She continued with “Countdown” and “Naughty Girl,” before concluding with “Drunk in Love” as fireworks illuminated the night sky. Attendees were not permitted to record videos or take photos, but clips of the event were circulated on social media.
Beyoncé performing "Drunk in Love" in Dubai pic.twitter.com/srqcxfJzPR
— Selena M. (@thequeenbey___) January 22, 2023
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Beyoncé was reportedly paid $24 million for the Dubai performance, which was her first full concert since 2018.
The performance comes as she prepares to embark on a Renaissance stadium tour this summer.
Beyoncé attends the opening of Atlantis The Royal Grand in Dubai ✨ pic.twitter.com/OBdfinMnmn
— Rap-Up (@RapUp) January 21, 2023
