The energy shifts when Beyoncé is back in Houston.
Her hometown showed up and showed out for the Texas dates on her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour: nightclubs and bars hosted Beyoncé-themed dance parties and drag shows, the airports welcomed fans with “Cowboy Carter Corners,” and eager Beyhive members braved the heat for hours for a chance to snag Beyoncé merch.
Hours before Bey took the stage Saturday for her first of two shows in Houston, it was easy to spot the 100,000+ fans who had a ticket to see her. The route to NRG Stadium was lined with fringe, cowboy boots, chaps, and a whole lot of denim. Even at the entrance, the security line moved at a slower pace to accommodate the sheer influx of cowboy hats that had to be removed and placed in the bins.
The Barbed Wire rounded up some of the night’s best dressed attendees, some of whom traveled from thousands of miles away to see Queen Bey. And for the naysayers who doubted the singer’s country roots, let the people of Houston be a corrective: Beyoncé (and her city) has always been country.
Kyle Spencer, originally from San Antonio, flew in from Seattle for the concert.
Raquel from San Antonio (this author’s mom) sporting a thrifted bandana ring and her father’s vintage belt/buckle.
Sydney Lavigne and Cassandra Thompson from Houston, wearing DIY feathered chaps.
Victoria and Jasmine sporting spangled western-wear and matching bolo ties.
Tremaine Butler from San Antonio in an all-black denim fit.
Brenecia Mingo, from Houston, wore a crafted denim jacket with American flags draped from the sleeves.
A pair of Beyoncé chaps in the crowd.
Mariah Lynae, Le’André Savage, and Erica Thomas in custom fits.
Ken and Nee, who flew in from Ohio, only had an hour to pull their looks together. Which they pulled off, along with the rest of the Beyhive.