Legendary Moments From Beyoncé’s Dubai Performance

BY MADELEINE HALE, STAFF WRITER

On January 21, Beyoncé Knowles took to Dubai’s “Atlantis The Royal Resort” to give a private intimate surprise concert. It had been four years since the music-mogul performed a full concert set. Leaked footage proves that the concert was nothing shy of spectacular, in true Beyoncé fashion.

Beyoncé’s staging was exuberant– an elaborate set design consisting of an extensive orchestra dressed in all-white, and a larger-than-life golden sculpture of the sun were just a few of the eye-catching elements on stage during her performance. As the concert began, Beyoncé and her dancers graced the audience in pink, red, and purple costumes. At one point, Beyoncé even levitated into the air while singing her hit track, “Drunk in Love”.  Water sprayed the stage from all directions as the singer lifted above ground level, with nothing but a small pedestal to support her. 

The event welcomed numerous celebrities and influencers, such as Nia Long, Halle Bailey, and Letitia Wright. Attendees strutted the red carpet before the concert. Wearing eye-catching fashions that supported Beyoncé’s lavish vision. With just slightly over 1,000 people in the audience, Beyoncé kept the concert rather intimate… or at least she tried to. 

Beyoncé attempted to implement a no-recording policy during her set. Prompting guests to store their cell phones in a pouch provided by the hotel. However, the following day, attendees took to social media to share their favorite clips from the night, which the artist’s team has since worked to remove from the internet.  Here are some of the best moments from Beyoncé's private show in Dubai.

Blue Ivy's Debut Duet 

Beyoncé surprised the audience with an appearance from her daughter, 11-year-old Blue Ivy Carter, singing their award-winning single from Disney’s The Lion King soundtrack, "Brown Skin Girl.” Blue is definitely her mother’s daughter, as she flaunted her exceptional vocals and dance moves on stage. The mother-daughter-duo wore dynamic coordinating  outfits, Blue Ivy in a red sequin blazer with matching bottoms, and her mother in a bright yellow cut-out gown. 

The Iconic Wardrobe

The extravagant fashion in Beyoncé’s concert kept up with the complex vocals and choreography in her performance. In the show's opening set, Beyoncé wore a yellow gown covered in acrylic appliqués by Dubai-based designer Rayan Al Sulaimani. Beyoncé's first costume change was into a red bodysuit with a jeweled- corset bodice, paired with a halo headpiece and a floor-length train created by Lebanese-designer Nicolas Jebran. The global artist’s closing look, and my personal favorite, was a pink mini-dress covered in crystals, with matching gloves and a pair of kitten heels from Ukrainian designer Ivan Frolov. 

Her Female Ensemble 

PHOTO COURTESY OF EXPRESS UK IMAGES

Beyoncé is known for her advocacy for women empowerment, and this performance continued her legacy. Beyoncé enlisted the help of “The Mayyas”, a Lebanese dance group, as well as “The Firdaus Orchestra”, a Dubai-based orchestra. The star’s ensemble was a 48-person group of talented Middle Eastern women of diverse nationalities. 

THE ‘DRUNK IN LOVE’ RUN

Following her performance, Beyoncé broke the internet with a never-before-heard vocal run that transitioned into her notorious song "Drunk in Love”. Beyonce never misses an opportunity to remind us that she is indeed "that girl" in terms of her vocal range, and her Dubai performance proved that she's still got it!