She was under pressure to deliver a brilliant performance at Sunday's Super Bowl following the recent lip syncing controversy at President Obama's Inauguration.
And Beyonce took to the stage with trademark style, with an all-singing, all-dancing spectacular greatest hits set for the half time show, which culminated in her being joined on stage by Destiny's Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The 31-year-old singer sported a plunging leather Rubin Singer corset and skirt which she stripped off to reveal a lace underlay during a slick, energetic show packed with special effects at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
However, her show may have taken up a large amount of electricity, with the power in the stadium going out shortly after the 14 minute set. She emerged onstage singing lines from her R&B hit Love on Top under a giantlit up silhouette of herself, with a group of fans running on to the field to watch next to the lit up stage in the shape of twofacing profiles of the singer. Black over-the-knee socks over fishnet tights and high heeled ankle boots completed Beyonce's sexy outfit designed by little known New York based Rubin Singer.
The stage was dark while fire and lights burst from the sides as she began hit Crazy in Love, complete with a guitar flaming as it played out its solo. The clearly pumped up star even blew a kiss to the crowd, before beginning her show in front of fireworks and light effects on video screens. Beyonce's spectacular performance provided an elaborate contrast to the on-field sporting action between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, with special effects including a light show, fireworks, and kaleidoscopic multiple video footage of the star.
Beyonce performed a number of hits including End of Time, and Baby Boy before being joined by Michelle and Kelly who wore similar revealing black outfits.
Kelly sported a leather Emilio Pucci leotard with identical stockings and boots, while Michelle sported a ultra short black miniskirt over her slinky leather number.
Michelle had previously denied the band would reunite for the event, saying she had a prior commitment to appear in the musical Fela. So there was clear delight from the crowd when they took the stage, singing with the diva on their massive hits Bootylicious and Independent Woman, along with Beyonce's smash hit Single Ladies.
However, the trio left out their more recent effort, the slow number Nuclear - the first new Destiny’s Child recording in eight years, which was released last month.
But after the show, there were rumblings from critics and fans that Kelly and Michelle's vocals were unable to be heard over Beyonce's. To close the 14-minute set, Williams and Rowland left Beyonce to perform emotional show-stopper Halo.
The star was performing in front of up an estimated 76,468 people - the seating capacity of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome - as well as millions more throughout the world. The Ravens ended up narrowly beating the 49ers 34 points to 31. Beyonce was the star feature following earlier performances by Alicia Keys who sung the National Anthem, and Jennifer Hudson who performed America The Beautiful before kick off.
She later posted a tribute to her fellow performers, writing: 'What a proud day for AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN!!!!!' 'Kelly, Michelle, Alicia, Jhud. You are all beautiful, talented and showed so much class! It was an honour to perform at the Super Bowl with you phenomenal ladies. Love Beyonce.'
Michelle Obama was another famous fan, posting on her Twitter page: 'Watching the #SuperBowl with family & friends. @Beyonce was phenomenal! I am so proud of her! -mo' However, despite Beyonce appearing to sing live, Twitter was filled with complaints from viewers at home who complained about the sound quality - some said that they were unable to hear Rowland and Williams as they joined their more illustrious bandmate on stage.
Throughout this week, excitement has been mounting for Beyonce's big performance, with the singer posting snaps of her final rehearsals ahead of Sunday's extravaganza on her blog site. Beyonce was under pressure to deliver following the recent lip syncing furore at President Obama's Inauguration ceremony. She was accused of miming the National Anthem at President Obama's inauguration ceremony, when a spokesman for the Marine Corps Band said she opted for a pre-recorded track of the song instead of singing live.
She defended her lip syncing at a Super Bowl press conference on Thursday where she said she did not feel confident singing live. 'I am a perfectionist,' she explained. 'I practice until my feet bleed and I did not have time to rehearse with the orchestra. Due to no proper sound check, I did not feel comfortable taking a risk. 'It was about the president and the inauguration, and I wanted to make him and my country proud, so I decided to sing along with my pre-recorded track, which is very common in the music industry.
'And I'm very proud of my performance.' She had insisted she would be singing live at the Super Bowl. 'I will absolutely be singing live,' she said. 'I am well-rehearsed. This is what I was born to do.' Beyonce is currently recording her fifth studio album expected to be released next year, and will also be the subject of a documentary - Life Is But a Dream, that premieres on February 16 on HBO.
And Beyonce took to the stage with trademark style, with an all-singing, all-dancing spectacular greatest hits set for the half time show, which culminated in her being joined on stage by Destiny's Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The 31-year-old singer sported a plunging leather Rubin Singer corset and skirt which she stripped off to reveal a lace underlay during a slick, energetic show packed with special effects at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Lady in leather: Beyonce looked striking in a plunging leather corset as she performed a medley of her hits with Destiny's Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams at the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday.
Beyonce's angels! The trio danced in synchrony as they performed a medley of their hits to the excited crowd
Surprise surprise: Williams had previously denied that she and Rowland would be sharing the stage with their Destiny's Child bandmate
The stage was dark while fire and lights burst from the sides as she began hit Crazy in Love, complete with a guitar flaming as it played out its solo. The clearly pumped up star even blew a kiss to the crowd, before beginning her show in front of fireworks and light effects on video screens. Beyonce's spectacular performance provided an elaborate contrast to the on-field sporting action between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, with special effects including a light show, fireworks, and kaleidoscopic multiple video footage of the star.
Stage on fire! The trio were in perfect synchrony as they performed in front of a lit up stage in the middle of the arena.
Multi-Beyonce: The singer sung in front of a screen of the star mirroring her moves
Crazy in love: A dramatic silhouette of the singer contained cheering fans watching her take centre stage.
Hologram: Beyonce was given the striking hologram treatment at one point in her performance
Light spectacular: Beyonce's performance was hailed by a lit up silhouette of the singer
Her background singers helped out as Beyonce danced around the stage throughout most of her performance. There was a backing track to help fill in when she wasn't singing - and there were long stretches when she let it play as she performed elaborate dance moves with a swarm of background dancers and band members.
Kelly sported a leather Emilio Pucci leotard with identical stockings and boots, while Michelle sported a ultra short black miniskirt over her slinky leather number.
Sasha Fierce: Beyoncé certainly didn't hold back during the energetic and raw performance
Many hands make light work: The half time show featured plenty of impressive tricks and effects
Hell for leather: Kelly and Michelle wore similarly revealing outfits to their Destiny's Child bandmate complete with over-the-knee socks and boots
Tweeting their support: Celebs from Evan Rachel Wood to Khloe Kardashian took to Twitter to give their reaction to the incredible performance
Hair's how: Michelle, Kelly and Beyonce whipped their hair back and forth on stage
Dressed for success: Beyonce danced alongside a group of scantily clad dancers as she performed a medley of her greatest hits
Stage with a view: One striking photograph on the singer's Tumblr showed the Destiny's Child trio looking out at the vast crowd.
How they've changed: The trio, seen here at the Brit Awards in 2001, have grown up a bit since they split in 2006.
But after the show, there were rumblings from critics and fans that Kelly and Michelle's vocals were unable to be heard over Beyonce's. To close the 14-minute set, Williams and Rowland left Beyonce to perform emotional show-stopper Halo.
View from above: The trio's energetic dance steps could be seen from a rear view showing marks made on the stage.
Going live! Beyonce had insisted she would be performing live in a press conference to promote the show.
The final act: Beyonce ended her performance with a show stopping rendition of Halo, much to fans' delight
Smoking hot: The singer looked extremely focused on her performance as she sang alongside a group of female musicians.
A touch of fame: Fans grab at the star's hands during the energetic show in a picture posted to her Tumblr page
A commanding performance: Beyonce is shown confidently strutting around the stage in her slinky leather outfit in another post on her Tumblr
Light show spectacular: A highlight of the show involved video of the singer lying down in a circle, while the real singer danced alongside a guitarist in the centre.
No sign of nerves: Beyonce looked excited, happy and confident during her performance in front of thousands of stadium fans.
Hair swinging good: The star wore her long curls loose around her shoulders and used it to maximum effect during her performance.
Rocking out: Beyoncé threw herself body and soul into the performance, much to the delight of the billion-strong audience
Excited: Beyoncé beamed from ear to ear as she waved at the audience
Lights, camera action: Beyonce takes a breath in front of dramatic black and white video screens.
Smoking hot: Beyonce strikes a sultry pose alongside a female guitarist whose guitar sparked with fire.
Fan love: Beyonce lay back on the stage at one point, while fans clamoured around her as they watched inside the lit up silhouette.
The night of a thousand stars: Beyonce's performance came after Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson sang before kick off
Light show spectacular: Beyonce's striking Super Bowl performance from the air
Beyonce lights up the stage during the half-time show of the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game in New Orleans.
Tribute: Beyonce posted a note on her Tumblr page saying how proud she is of her fellow Super Bowl performers.
Michelle Obama was another famous fan, posting on her Twitter page: 'Watching the #SuperBowl with family & friends. @Beyonce was phenomenal! I am so proud of her! -mo' However, despite Beyonce appearing to sing live, Twitter was filled with complaints from viewers at home who complained about the sound quality - some said that they were unable to hear Rowland and Williams as they joined their more illustrious bandmate on stage.
Throughout this week, excitement has been mounting for Beyonce's big performance, with the singer posting snaps of her final rehearsals ahead of Sunday's extravaganza on her blog site. Beyonce was under pressure to deliver following the recent lip syncing furore at President Obama's Inauguration ceremony. She was accused of miming the National Anthem at President Obama's inauguration ceremony, when a spokesman for the Marine Corps Band said she opted for a pre-recorded track of the song instead of singing live.
She defended her lip syncing at a Super Bowl press conference on Thursday where she said she did not feel confident singing live. 'I am a perfectionist,' she explained. 'I practice until my feet bleed and I did not have time to rehearse with the orchestra. Due to no proper sound check, I did not feel comfortable taking a risk. 'It was about the president and the inauguration, and I wanted to make him and my country proud, so I decided to sing along with my pre-recorded track, which is very common in the music industry.
'And I'm very proud of my performance.' She had insisted she would be singing live at the Super Bowl. 'I will absolutely be singing live,' she said. 'I am well-rehearsed. This is what I was born to do.' Beyonce is currently recording her fifth studio album expected to be released next year, and will also be the subject of a documentary - Life Is But a Dream, that premieres on February 16 on HBO.
Checking the Twittersphere?: Kelly was seen glued to her mobile phone while relaxing backstage in a tank top and jeans ahead of the arresting performance.
A triumph: Beyonce posted a snap of herself taking a break after the show
Still having fun: The girls jumped about backstage
Kicking off the entertainment: Alicia Keys performed the National Anthem, while Jennifer Hudson sang America the Beautiful with Sandy Hook Elementary School Choir, before kick off
Jubilation: Baltimore Ravens players celebrate after they defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl XLVII
Bootilicious: The star was clearly pumped up for her performance.
No comments:
Post a Comment