Beyoncé fans enjoy 1st 'COWBOY CARTER' concert at Soldier Field after delay for storms
Start time delayed to almost 10 p.m..; country album starts conversation on 'The Chitlin' Circuit'
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The "Beyhive" is buzzing in Chicago.
The start time for the Beyoncé concert Thursday was delayed to at least after 9 p.m. due to severe weather, a Soldier Field spokesperson said. Gates still opened at 5 p.m.
City officials said they have cleared the concert to play past 11 p.m. if needed.
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At one point fans had to shelter in place inside of Soldier Field while storm blew through. Fans had two hands to heaven, thankful the weather only delayed the concert.
Torrential rain covered stairs and floors with water inside Soldier Field as severe weather swept through on the first night of Beyoncé's "COWBOY CARTER" tour in Chicago.
Instead of singing in the dead of night, fans were metaphorically river dancing while taking cover during a shelter-in-place inside the stadium.
But, Queen Bey's loyal fans were prepared, because as Beyoncé puts its, now it's time to face the wind.
That wind, coming with the threat of severe weather that delayed the show until after 9 p.m.
"We've been planning for months, so no weather, nothing is going to stop us," concert-goer Kesha Marshall said.
While this ain't Texas, fans still dressed in their best Houston rodeo fashions and Levi's jeans just for fun.
There are two more nights of the "COWBOY CARTER" tour in Chicago, set for Saturday and Sunday.
The "Beyhive" had been buzzing all day long.
As early as Thursday morning, Beyoncé fans were donning their cowboy hats and boots and denim, ready for her first of three "COWBOY CARTER" tour shows Thursday night at Soldier Field.
The fashion statements were on full display, people are rocking full cowboy suits and hats.
There's a threat for severe weather Thursday evening but the fans said they don't care and would watch her in the pouring rain.
"I live in Nashville, and I came to see Queen B!" Armando Contreras said.
"I can't even put into words. I cannot put into words how good it's gonna be. She's amazing," said Jada Cato, who is visiting from Memphis.
There is a lot of excitement over the "COWBOY CARTER" Western-themed album.
People with VIP tickets lined up early outside Soldier Field to get as close as possible to Queen Bey.
Contreras weighed in on the album.
"I think it's amazing. I think it was very powerful of her to stand her ground and take control of something that belongs to her. She is from Houston, Texas," he said.
"It was beautiful; it went back to her roots, and you can't reclaim something that was already yours. So she did that with that album," Cato said.
People woke up bright and early Thursday morning, waiting hours in line to make sure they could grab some merch.
"I've been here since 11 o'clock," Chicago resident Ky Thomas said. "Very excited because things have been selling out so quickly."
Beyoncé's last tour stopped in Chicago in 2023, but her latest take on the country genre has fans even more excited for this year's tour.
"I think her actually going into the genre was very monumental for the culture," said KeiKei Mock, who is visiting from Cleveland. "I'm very proud she did that it's very inspiring."
It's a tour that has brought people to Chicago from different states and even different countries.
Saulo Alencar is from Brazil, living in Toronto, and he put on his best suit for an artist that he said is unlike any other.
"The ability to connect to our feelings her songs are very special so each one of you has a different story so we are connected to her in different aspects," Alencar said.
Severe weather is threatening to move into the area Thursday evening, but thes fans said they'll brave any conditions to see Beyoncé.
"I brought my rain coat I'm prepared... the Beyhive is always prepared for everything," Alencar said.
There is the threat of lightning and hail moving into the area. OEMC and Soldier Field said the city is prepared with its safety and evacuation plans if needed.
"If she can perform in the rain... us sitting in the rain and watching it is nothing," Thomas said.
The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association president and CEO says hotels are at near capacity downtown, like when Taylor Swift was in town.
"Just like when Taylor Swift was in town a couple years ago, it was an oncology convention at McCormick Place. This weekend, the National Restaurant Association convention is over at McCormick Place. So, the city was already pretty close to being sold out, and, of course, with Beyoncé being in town, it just adds onto that," Michael Jacobson said.
Hotels are getting onboard with the hype.
The Renaissance downtown Chicago hotel has a "COWBOY CARTER" photo backdrop and signage for guests.
Jacobson says these big events bring big dollars to the city.
"Beyoncé fans and convention-goers don't just stay in our hotels and go to sleep for the night. They're eating in our restaurants, visiting our museums. They're shopping along the Mag Mile. The ripple effect that this has to the local economy and our tax base, it shows how important these special events and these conventions are to the entire city," Jacobson said.
Thursday's show was supposed to begin at 7 p.m., with two more shows on Saturday and Sunday.
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications said it closely monitored the weather conditions Thursday with the National Weather Service.
Soldier Field officials had said those attending should dress appropriately and stay updated with the show and weather information.
Umbrellas were not permitted in the stadium. Only clear bags smaller than 12"x6"x12" were permitted.
"Our primary objective is to keep all our guests safe and secure. We have vast experience in handling severe weather on major event days. Our severe weather plans are ready to implement if the need should arise," officials said.
Thousands are expected to come downtown for the concerts.
The CTA provided the best routes to get to Soldier Field and avoid traffic:
Rail: The Red, Orange and Green lines provide the closest access to Soldier Field. Exit at the Roosevelt station.
Bus: Additional buses will be operating on the #146 Inner Lake Shore/Michigan Express route, which stops at Soldier Field. Other bus options that stop at or near the stadium include the following:
- #3 King
- #4 Cottage Grove
- #12 Roosevelt
For additional route information riders should check www.transitchicago.com/schedules.
Beyoncé's country album has started a new conversation about the history of Black musicians and country music, and Chicago plays a big role in that history.
During the Jim Crow era, Chicago was one of nine American cities with venues that catered to African-American performers. A book, "The Chitlin' Circuit and the Road to Rock and Roll" by Preston Lauterbach, explains that history.
Lauterbach joined ABC7 Thursday to talk about the book and the history.
Lauterbach's book can be found at prestonlauterbach.info.
