Beyonce brings Texas to the DMV with Fourth of July concert

LANDOVER, Md. — A sea of fans packed into Northwest Stadium Friday night for the first of Beyoncé’s two-night stop in the DMV as part of her “Cowboy Carter Tour.”

The highly anticipated tour celebrates the chart-topping “Cowboy Carter” album, released in March 2024. The country-inspired project earned the 43-year-old icon widespread acclaim — including a historic Grammy win for Best Country Album, making Beyoncé the first Black woman to receive the honor. According to Billboard, the tour has already grossed over $325 million.

Friday’s show offered fans more than music — it was a celebration of American independence and a cultural icon all in one. Many concertgoers praised the performance for its dynamic energy and wide-ranging setlist, which included tracks from Beyoncé’s 2022 predecessor, “Renaissance.”

“It was so, so, so fun. The energy was electric and everyone was singing their hearts out,” said WUSA9 reporter Alexis Wainwright, who attended the concert.

Still, some fans expressed frustration over the concert’s late start.

“Last night was a miss for me,” said Katherine, a longtime Beyoncé fan. “She didn’t come out until nearly 9 p.m., and there was no music or DJ to get the crowd going. The setlist felt out of sync with the transitions. I expected fireworks. I thought she might bring out a hometown favorite like Shaboozey. Everyone looked incredible, but it just left me wanting more.”

Others had a different take.

“The Queen did not come to play,” said LaShonda Wilson. “The outfits, the colors, the choreography — it was a moment.”

Fans shared several standout highlights from the night, including Beyoncé soaring over the stadium on a giant horseshoe, nods to her Destiny’s Child roots with snippets of “Bills, Bills, Bills,” and appearances by her daughters, Blue Ivy and Rumi. Beyoncé’s mother and costume designer, Tina Knowles, was also spotted in the crowd.

And Beyonce will do it all again on Monday, with doors scheduled to open at 5 p.m. 

Outside the music, some fans ran into logistical headaches. Attendees reported confusion around parking — some who paid for specific spots were told to park anywhere. WUSA9 also confirmed that multiple patrons with tickets for Monday’s show accidentally gained entry Friday. Event organizers told WUSA9 those issues have since been resolved.

Beyoncé fan Suzanne Struglinski posted a video on social media showing the overwhelming number of people trying to get into the concert at the same time on Friday. Saying it was as if  “they had no idea there would be a few thousand people here tonight.” 

“I want to make very clear that Beyonce was amazing and the fans were wonderful to each other, but the stadium itself had no clue what they were doing,” Struglinski told WUSA9. 

Another person who attended the concert described the concert to WUSA9 as “crowded but not unbearable.” 

WUSA9 has reached out to event organizers on Saturday regarding crowd size complaints and is waiting on response. 

1. Arrive early — to avoid traffic and seating confusion.

2. Wear comfortable shoes — especially if you’re taking Metro or rideshare.

3. Buy merchandise during the show — lines are shorter than before or after.