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Beyoncé’s Renaissance – live: Inside the London premiere of her record-breaking world tour

US star premiered the concert film about her record-breaking 2023 tour

Roisin O'Connor,Nicole Vassell,Inga Parkel
Thursday 30 November 2023 22:49 GMT
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Diana Ross sings Beyoncé 'Happy Birthday' on Renaissance tour

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Louise Thomas

Louise Thomas

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Beyoncé unveiled the concert film for her record-breaking Renaissance tour in London tonight (Thursday 30 November), with Taylor Swift among the high-profile guests.

The Lemonade artist turned up to support Swift’s own concert film for her Eras tour when it premiered in Hollywood in October. Swift later paid moving tribute to Beyoncé, praising her as a “guiding light” who had taught her to “break rules and defy industry norms”.

Renaissance, A Film by Beyoncé will chart the huge undertaking of the US artist’s tour supporting her Grammy-winning 2022 album, Renaissance. Produced, written and directed by the singer, it will intersperse footage of concerts taking place around the world with backstage scenes and intimate moments between Beyoncé and her family.

Around 2.7 million concertgoers are estimated to have attended the Renaissance tour over the course of five months, while Billboard reports that the shows have grossed close to half a billion dollars worldwide.

The film’s description reads: “It is about Beyoncé’s intention, hard work, involvement in every aspect of the production, her creative mind and purpose to create her legacy, and master her craft.”

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Blake Lively has shown up!

Inga Parkel30 November 2023 19:12
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Taylor Swift supports Beyoncé at London premiere of Renaissance

Taylor Swift has arrived at the London premiere of Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour movie.

Ahead of tonight’s screening, there had been rumours swirling that the “Anti-Hero” singer would likely show her support after Beyoncé turned up for the Los Angeles premiere of Swift’s Eras Tour concert movie.

Inga Parkel30 November 2023 19:06
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Beyoncé clip cited as reason singer rarely does interviews resurfaces

A clip dubbed the reason singer Beyonce rarely does interviews anymore has resurfaced.

The ITN interview shows a reporter asking Destiny’s Child about the foot and mouth epidemic back in 2001.

The trio were on the red carpet at the prestigious Brit Awards when they were asked about the news. The girls appear baffled by the question.

Beyonce replies: “We don’t know anything about that, all we know is we just got here.”

Kelly Rowland adds: “Some tests should be run so this can stop!”

Many fans claim the interview in question is the reason the singer rarely does interviews anymore.

Beyonce quizzed on the foot and mouth disease outbreak in resurfaced clip
Inga Parkel30 November 2023 19:00
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Joe Biden calls Beyoncé ‘Britney’ before confusing her with Taylor Swift

President Joe Biden appeared to get confused over Beyoncé and Taylor Swift during the annual White House turkey pardon on Monday (20 November).

The yearly event sees the US president spare a turkey or turkeys from the dinner table ahead of the country’s Thanksgiving celebrations.

“Now, just to get here, Liberty and Bell had to beat some tough odds, a competition,” Biden, 81, said of this year’s turkeys.

“They had to work hard to show patience and be willing to travel over a thousand miles,” he said.

“You could say even this is harder than getting a ticket to the Renaissance tour, or, for Britney’s tour she’s down in – it’s kind of warm in Brazil right now.”

Read more:

Biden confuses Beyonce, Britney and Taylor Swift in Thanksgiving joke

President Biden made the confused comments during the annual White House turkey pardon

Inga Parkel30 November 2023 18:30
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World premiere of ‘Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé’
World premiere of ‘Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé’ (Roisin O’Connor for The Independent)
Inga Parkel30 November 2023 17:55
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Beyoncé takes over Leicester Square

If you didn’t already know: It’s Beyoncé’s world, and we’re just living in it.

The Independent’s music correspondent Roisin O’Connor is on the ground at the Renaissance film premiere in London. Here are a few of her snapshots of the incredible setup:

World premiere of ‘Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé’
World premiere of ‘Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé’ (Roisin O’Connor for The Independent)
Inga Parkel30 November 2023 17:50
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Guess who came to dinner?

Rumour has it that Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z dined in Mayfair on Wednesday evening, and were joined by none other than Tom Cruise and... Henry Cavill.

A random assortment of stars! Who wants to bet that the Carters are massive Mission: Impossible / Superman fans?

Tom Cruise apparently dined with the Carters
Tom Cruise apparently dined with the Carters (Getty Images for Paramount Pictu)

Nicole Vassell30 November 2023 17:40
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A look back at Beyoncé’s on-stage moment of vulnerability

This tour was about embracing imperfections, Beyoncé declared – and in the opening act of the show, she reinforced this with the inclusion of “Flaws and All”, a song about being loved despite your flaws. (Aww.)

During one performance, she shared her insecurities with her fans with a simple, but meaningful gesture...

‘She’s so real for this’: Beyoncé praised for ‘vulnerable’ gesture during live show

Fans described the moment as ‘wholesome’ and ‘vulnerable’

Nicole Vassell30 November 2023 17:20
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Just a moment of appreciation for Beyoncé’s latest photoshoot

After touching down in London yesterday, Queen Bey posed for some pictures wearing a chic white hooded top, with sweatpants, heeled boots, a blazer and a floor-length furry coat on top.

Elegance! Grace! And warmth! This ensemble’s got it all.

Nicole Vassell30 November 2023 17:00
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Why Beyoncé is worth your money

No-one needs a reminder of how times, for many, are tough. Lots of people don’t have the luxury to spend a significant chunk of money on going to concerts – and it’s a shame for music lovers hoping to catch their favourite artist.

But! If you do find that there’s room in the budget for a good gig, I humbly suggest trying to get a ticket to a Beyoncé show – because you will go away feeling the value of every penny.

Here’s my justification for investing in an experience like a Bey show... and soon, you can get a piece of the action from the cinema. Happy days!

Paying up to £199 to see Beyoncé live? I can vouch for the spectacle that awaits you

The singer has announced five UK dates on her world tour, with the ticket prices raising eyebrows. But ignore the £2,400 on-stage seats, says Nicole Vassell, some superstars deliver every time

Nicole Vassell30 November 2023 16:40

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