When the Queen comes to town, it’s best to get in “formation.”
On Wednesday, July 12, Beyoncé brings her Renaissance World Tour stateside, and her first stop is Lincoln Financial Field. Whether you’ve already got your tickets or are still on the hunt, Metro has you covered.
With nine headlining solo tours and two Super Bowl Half Time shows under her belt, Beyoncé is a literal tour-de-force as a live performer. Understandably, her fans are quite passionate about their Queen Bey. Over the course of her 21 sold-out shows across Europe, Beyoncé sold a total of 1 million tickets, grossing $154.4 million — a career-high for the 41-year-old entertainer.
So, where better to turn for advice than the Hive itself? We connected with three lucky fans who were among the million Europeans in attendance to bring you some tips that’ll ensure your Renaissance World Tour experience is cozy.
Where should you sit?
For those of you who don’t have a ticket yet, fans agreed that the best place to sit is in one of the general admission sections. However, David Rakotomanga from Paris, France, who attended nine shows total, says wherever you are, “to get a centered view, or slightly offset to the side to make sure to catch the entirety of the scenery. Obviously, it’s also nice to get as close as possible to the artist, but beware that you miss some of the massive visual content.”
What time should you arrive?
If you’re in general admission and want to get as close as possible to the front, you’ll have to arrive very early. Julien Begue, another French fan from Paris who attended four shows, suggests arriving around 7 a.m. for the best spot. However, if you are okay with a decent spot, he says you should be okay arriving around 4 hours before showtime (3-4 p.m.).
If you have a seated ticket, you don’t have to stress too much. In Europe, tickets said showtime was 8 p.m. and Beyoncé generally hit the stage by 8:30 p.m. All three fans agree that arriving at least 1-2 hours before.
What about merch?
Stefanie D.M. from Belgium, who attended two shows, notes that prices are high in comparison to quality, and the line isn’t too bad, but good luck getting the coveted “HEATED” fan. David agrees on that, calling the fan “the most sought-after item.” Julien says the quality is “very good but it’s very expensive.” The shirts started at €55 ($60) and the tour book was €100 ($109). If you’re looking to splurge, David says, “a very expensive jacket that mimics the one worn by crew members,” will run you close to €300 ($329).
What should you wear?
All three fans agree that a sparkly, silver, glittery, disco-ball-inspired outfit was the move by most fans who dressed the part; David calls it “silver-futuristic-disco” and predicts that with the recent IVY PARK drop, US fans might see those ensembles pop up as well.
And… what if you need to go to the bathroom?
Julien: Nope.
Stefanie: Before the show.
David: That’s a tricky question! (In short, he warns that if you’re in GA, you’ll lose your spot.)
What makes the Renaissance World Tour different from past shows?
Julien says Beyoncé gives all she has on stage, and says it’s “Perfect, it’s a new Beyoncé,” calling it her best tour. David says, “Expect more of a party atmosphere, less of a perfectionist’s performance.”
What’s their advice for casual fans?
Just dance (Stefanie), listen and learn “Renaissance” (Julien) and don’t get too disappointed if you don’t hear “Single Ladies” (David).
And for the BeyHive?
“Accept the new Beyoncé,” says Julien. Stefanie advises fans to put their phones down and enjoy the show because, inevitably, someone else will record it (probably Beyoncé). David reiterates: “Accept that your favorite song, as popular as it may be, might not be performed!”
Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour stops at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Wednesday, July 12. The sold-out show begins at 7 p.m.; only VIP packages and resale tickets remain.
