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On Jan. 21, Beyoncé shocked fans by headlining a concert in Dubai to celebrate the grand opening of the new Atlantis Royal Resort. Fittingly, the show marked Queen Bey’s first live performance in four long years.
The 1,500-seat show was invite-only and welcomed some of the biggest stars in music, including Beyoncé’s husband Jay-Z, Black Panther star Letitia Wright, Kendall Jenner, and more.
For 75 minutes, Bey performed a medley of her biggest hits from “Halo” to “Crazy In Love.” The singer also incorporated meaningful details in her costumes and backup performances. The budget was seemingly endless, fittingly, to coincide with her reportedly hefty paycheck of $24 million.
In retrospect, Beyoncé’s Dubai performance kind of seems like a plot to make us forget about the fact that the visuals for Renaissance are still not out yet. And to be honest, it worked. The exclusive event had a strict no phones policy, but some clips from the performance are making rounds on social media. Check out some highlights from Beyoncé’s Dubai show below.
The setlist included her greatest hits
Beyoncés fashion looks spotlighted international & regional designers
Beyoncé is known for highlighting regional and underground designers during her live shows, and her performance in Dubai was no different. The icon made several costume changes throughout her performance, all of which put a spotlight on Middle Eastern designers. The first look was a Lemonade yellow, floor-length gown with a dramatic feather train. The ensemble was designed by Omani designer Rayan Al Sulaimani and a part of the Dubai-based eveningwear label, Atelier Zuhara. According to Vogue, the label is known for its intricate detail and craftwork.
A third of the way through her performance, Beyoncé changed into a corseted red bodysuit with a matching train and gloves by Lebanese haute couture designer Nicolas Jebran. The costume was accessorized by a crown and 80-carat diamond earrings from Lorraine Schwartz. Jebran stated that the silhouette was inspired by “royal attire” and “Emirati women” and their love of “gold accessories and monochromatic color.” The duo previously worked together during the 2014 MTV Music Awards and the 2018 Grammys. For her final look of the night, Beyoncé wore a powder-pink minidress with crystal-embroidered leggings by Ukranian designer Ivan Frolov.
The Lebanese dance troupe The Mayyas performed
Beyoncé’s shows are always on another level because of her choreography and dancers. Of course, Bey came with her beloved home dance team, but she also tapped Lebanese dance group The Mayyas to join her on stage. The Mayyas are an alternative dance troupe who won Season 17 of America’s Got Talent. They accompanied Beyoncé several times throughout the night, decked in glittering sequin outfits and stunning the crowd with electric body-rolling and choreography. In a statement of gratitude, the group posted to their Instagram account, “It was an absolute honour to share the stage with the one and only Queen Beyoncé. This moment is dedicated to all the dreamers and believers of the world.”
