Beyoncé Kicks Off Cowboy Carter Tour in Paris with 80,000 Fans and a Bold Cultural Statement

Beyoncé may have traded the chrome of her Renaissance era for boots and banjos, but her ability to command a stadium remains unshaken. On Thursday night, the Stade de France erupted as 80,000 fans flooded the venue for the opening night of her Cowboy Carter World Tour — a bold, genre-bending celebration of heritage and reinvention.

The Paris crowd—decked out in cowboy hats, sequins, boots, and Afro-queer couture—signaled their readiness for the new Beyoncé era.

A Triumphant Return and Chart-Topping History

Stepping onto the stage at 8:55 PM, Beyoncé was met with thunderous applause and chants of “Queen B.” The energy confirmed her global influence — even in a city still buzzing from Taylor Swift’s recent tour stop.

With her genre-defying single “Texas Hold ’Em,” Beyoncé made history earlier this year as the first Black artist to top Billboard’s Country chart, and Cowboy Carter later secured her first-ever Album of the Year win at the Grammys.

Critical Acclaim Meets Commercial Complexity

While Cowboy Carter has been hailed for its bold experimentation and cultural significance, it hasn’t mirrored the mainstream commercial success of Renaissance. U.S. ticket sales for the tour’s initial dates were reportedly slower, but none of that mattered in Paris — where fans welcomed the country-inspired spectacle with open arms.

“This is about claiming our roots,” Beyoncé told the crowd.
“About redefining who belongs — in country, in music, in this world.”

Three Hours of Genre-Bending Brilliance

The night featured a three-hour set blending soul-stirring country ballads, high-energy choreography, and surprise mashups of old classics with twangy new arrangements.

Key moments included:

• A live band performance of “Texas Hold ’Em”

• A visual tribute to Black country trailblazers

• Acoustic reworks of past hits like “Irreplaceable” and “Halo” fused with bluegrass and folk elements

Each segment reaffirmed Beyoncé’s commitment to pushing boundaries while honoring cultural legacies.

More Than Music — A Cultural Movement

Thursday’s show was more than entertainment — it was a declaration. Cowboy Carter is not just a stylistic turn; it’s a political and cultural act of reclamation.

Beyoncé’s foray into country music challenges industry norms, highlights Black contributions to the genre, and expands the definition of who gets to tell America’s musical stories.

The Verdict: Beyoncé’s Rodeo Is Just Getting Started

From Paris to the world, Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour is proving that genre is no limitation — it’s a playground. And if Thursday’s performance is any indication, the Queen is still riding high, with a message the world can't ignore.