The On The Run II Experience + NOLA Mini-Adventure
In September, I saw Beyonce and Jay-Z perform at On The Run II in New Orleans at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. I feel like I have to say the whole name and location to match the grandeur of the production.
I went with Jacque, my soror and friend who hooked it up with the good seats by hitting up the box office in person. We clearly had been living under a rock because this was our first time seeing Beyonce perform outside of a computer/TV screen.
The very first CD I ever bought was Beyonce’s debut solo project, “Dangerously In Love”. My mom let me pick it out to go with my Walkman, it would be my entertainment for our family trip to Haiti.
I listened to that album every chance I could, from the airport to my grandparents’ backyard in La Pointe. I kept pressing the headphones into my head to drown out the outside noise so I could hear the notes in their full glory. I remember memorizing every word, trying to match the poses in the fold-up CD booklet. I was already a big Destiny’s Child fan, but that album? It changed the game.
Needless to say, I flipped out when I was finally able to grab tickets to see her live in concert.
It was only right that the first time I saw Bey perform was alongside Jay-Z, who she featured on her first hit single. Talk about having a full circle moment.
No lie, I was sleep on Jay-Z especially after the whole Lemonade/4:44 trouble in paradise era. I’ve decided, whatever they have going on is their business. Plenty are people are upset at them for reconciling and going on tour again, but couples go through ups and downs every day. I can’t blame them for using their platform to air out their business how they see fit (and flipping it for some extra coin!)
One thing about her, she is a grade A entertainer through and through. No fillers, no preservatives, no artificial colors. From the choreography to the outfits, the vocals, the hair and the intermission video sequences, the detail she puts into her shows does not go unnoticed. THE CONSISTENCY.
Could your fave? If so, when do they go on tour because I’m always down for a good show.
You already know I did not miss a beat, from the uh-oh uh-oh’s to Everybody Mad. I did the cardinal sin of wearing heels to the concert because I needed to match her fly. I couldn’t resist the chance to hit a good strut and stomp, even if I was just walking to the bathroom. I was living in the moment and loving every minute.
I was in so much awe the night seemed like it went by so quickly. I honestly need a redo because I was too busy screaming out the songs to really appreciate what I was seeing on stage. I don’t know how I’ve gone so long without going to one of her shows, but I know I won’t be caught slipping like that again.
Enjoy the picture of us waiting for food post-concert after working up the world’s largest appetite. The wait at Waffle House was forever and a day and their jukebox was not bumping like it should have been. I wasted a dollar to hear Tevin Campbell playing faintly over the growls from my stomach. I was so hungry, I ordered a double cheeseburger. From Waffle House.
Of course, I couldn’t be in New Orleans and not make a mini adventure out of it.
I didn’t feel like doing my makeup so instead, I went into a beauty supply store on Canal street and bought the most fun pair of sunglasses I could find. Later, I took a walk around the Quarter and grabbed an iced coffee from French Truck, which I finished before left the block. It was delicious and I couldn’t resist.
My parking meter was almost up so I hopped in my car and stopped by my go-to lunch spot, the famous Neyow’s Creole Cafe for some red beans and rice and fried catfish. I had to make up for the Waffle House faux pas the night before. It’s the closest thing I can get to diri and sauce pois in a restaurant around here, and Neyow’s does damn good job at it. I could honestly eat that every week and never get tired.
I want to look into the cultural links between Haiti and New Orleans, but that’s a project for another day. For now, pass the Crystal please!
xo, Joyce.