St. Louis had snow and ice; but that was not going to prevent fans from coming out to see the Queen herself.
Just on the cusp of the release of her new album on iTunes Thursday night, Beyoncé stopped in St. Louis on Saturday, December 14, 2013.
Going to the concert, my hubby and I had to walk with caution because of the ice.
Prior to the show, music was being played over the speakers, and some of the fans were getting their groove on.
One of the songs played was “Wobble Baby Wobble Baby”. A man sitting a few seats below us, who looked like he could be my grandfather, came out of the aisle and started shaking and putting his foot on the railing and causing a humongous stir with the audience. Then the crowd began looking above us and I could see a man is getting down, doing the splits. Mind you, the show had not started yet, but we got a pre- show of moves.
The opening act was Luke James, who actually danced in Beyonce’s video for “Who Runs The World Girls!” He sung his hits “I Want You” and “You Belong To Me”. He incorporated samples of Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up,” and Michael Jackson’s, ‘The Way You Make Me Feel” into his thirty-minute musical set. He has a good vocal range and was a hit with the ladies when he took off his shirt off.
JT enjoying the Beyonce concert
After James finished up and a quick set change, Beyoncé hit the stage accompanied with back-up singers and dancers. About 17,000 fans packed the Scottrade Arena and the first song was “Who Run The World (Girls)!” She and her dancers did her signature moves to the song of empowerment.
She said to the fans, “You all look really fly tonight.”
She asked the crowd to say,
“Hey Ms. Carter” and the fans obliged.
She followed with “End of Time” and “If I Were a Boy.”
“Get Me Bodied” is one of my favorites because I can work that song. My hubby and I attended the 2007 World Experience Tour in St. Louis and she used the same choreography as before. The difference was they she had the Les Twins performing with her throughout the show and they had a solo dance performance on Why Don’t You Love Me.” You got the feel that this was definitely a greatest hits tour.
There were several mini movie vignettes before and during the concert. The movies during the concert allowed Beyonce to go off stage and change in a new outfit for the next part of the show
Some highlights:
One video talked about Chime for Change, which is a charity that Beyoncé co-founded with Salma Hayek.
Another movie clip showed Beyoncé talking about how she wanted her new album to be visual and she wanted to put it out there when she wanted to.
I have been rehearsing for a Christmas Program at my church. I did not know that she had released a new album the day before so I was going in really fresh and clean. There was rumor of an album but didn’t know when it was going to drop. Surprise to me!
Her hubby JayZ released his last album, Holy Grail, in the same manner; releasing it to Samsung fans before it moved out to the masses. Good marketing tool. It was somewhat of a surprise; but this still was a tool to get the word out. It works well for iTunes too.
She asked for the audience to follow her moves for XO and this was an important week for her. The audience was getting first listen of the song live. That was the only song that she sung from her new album. I was thinking she might have sung a little bit more from her new material but oh well! You can only ask so much.
Fans call Beyoncé a Queen; however she really puts it out there that she wants to be known as one. Some snippets from the earlier released video, “Bow Down,” showed the crown on her head and standing before the thrown with her sepulcher. The royal court and jester were also in attendance with a little twerking going on.
The show also had Beyoncé on a mechanism that had her fly above the fans to the other side where the B stage was located. The Blue cat suit she had own was very pretty and vibrant. She sung Love On Top, Survivor and Irreplaceable. The fans were doing a real good job on Love On Top. The fans were seeing and Beyoncé came in on the chorus and said, “Oops I messed up y’all sounded beautiful. Sopranos in the house!” St. Louis sounded good.
After that she got on the mechanism and fly across the crowd to the main stage. She sang Crazy in Love, Single Ladies and did the choreographed dances moves with the other dancers from the video, new song XO and Halo. She sang one new song from the album. Oh well!
It was done. She thanked the band, dancers, her backup singers the Mamas that include St. Louis’s own Monica Cooper, and the Les Twins dancers. She thanked the crowd for coming out in the cold and snow.
The show in St. Louis was an hour and 45 minutes. When the FIN came on the screens it was done. She’s introducing the band? That’s it? No finale?
Beyoncé rolled through St. Louis and will be on her way to Ontario, Canada.
JT and her hubby on their way home after the concert.
I’m wearing my suit jacket, suit jacket, let me show you a good thang. Word wrapping in my Suit and Tie remix.
My hubby and I just came back from a whirl-wind trip to Memphis, Tennessee and we enjoyed every minute of it. I recently won a trip to the land of the delta blues to see Justin Timberlake perform in his home town. I entered my article, Take Back The Night With JT In Memphis! in an Alive Magazine/Memphis Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (I Love Memphis) contest back in October and I won. This is so exciting for me because I have never won anything like this before. Alive Magazine created the image below for Bubbling with Elegance and Grace for winning the contest.
The concert was Monday, November 18 at the FedEx Forum, in the heart of historic downtown Memphis, on Beale Street.
FedEX Forum
The tickets were held for us at the box office. My hubby and I picked up the tickets early so we would not have to wait in line later when we arrived to the concert. The FedEx Forum was conveniently located only two blocks from the Peabody Hotel, where we stayed for two nights. The hotel stay was also a part of the contest package.
I am a Missourian; but on this night I felt like a Memphian because I was in JT’s hometown. Actually, I found out that he grew up in Shelby Forest, just outside of Memphis.
Anyway feast your eyes on the tickets.
Monday, November 18, 2013 Justin Timberlake concert tickets
Our seats were in one of the box suites, more than enough room to dance the night away. We even got to meet the contest winner who won from the drawing. She had her husband with her and they were very nice.
I had not been to an N’SYNC concert or a JT concert; so I was very curious about how this night was going to be.
The pre-show included a DJ mixing tunes and using some #$@&%*! words a couple of times until JT kicked off the show at 9p.m.
When Justin sung Summer Love he said, “Why are y’all sitting down, don’t let me call you out.” Too funny!
JT used some #$@&%*! words here and there throughout the show also.
JT opened the show with a white Tom Ford Tuxedo suit.
His hair is straight and not curly, just like on the cover of the CD. The hairstyle gives JT a mature look and a change. I have seen some who have had curly hair and started wearing their hair straight: Mariah Cary, Taylor Swift to name a couple.
I wonder does he have it flat ironed before the show or has he had his hair chemically straightened? I think about these things because I am curly girl myself.
JT with curly hair photo from:fashionably-early.com
The JT set list below included total songs, partial songs and song covers. Some of the my favorite tunes that were featured at the concert that I workout too are Future Sex/ Love Sounds, Rock Your Body, My Love, TKO, Cry Me A River, Tunnel Vision, Let The Groove In, Cabaret, Take Back The Night which is so Michael Jacksonesque, Suit and Tie and Sexyback. All these songs will make you sweat.
Strawberry Bubblegum is a cool jam and Mirrors was one of those songs you could hold a candle to.
When the crowd heard JT and a couple of his back up singers sing Bell Biv Devoe’s cut Poison, they jumped up high. I could tell this crowd was over 30.
The Memphis Justin Timberlake Set list
Pusher Love Girl /Rock Your Body
Don’t Hold The Wall
Future Sex/ LoveSounds
Like I Love You
My Love
TKO
Strawberry Bubblegum
Summer Love
Lovestoned
Until The End of Time
Cry Me A River 10 Minute Intermission
Only When I Walk Away
True Blood
Drink You Away
Tunnel Vision
Senorita
Let The Groove Get In
That Girl
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis cover)
Not A Bad Thing
Human Nature (Michael Jackson cover)
What Goes Around…
Cabaret
Take Back The Night
Murder
Poison (Bell Biv Devoe cover)
Suit and Tie
Sexy Back
Mirrors
There was no N’SYNC songs at this show. JT had more than enough music for the night.
My favorite part of the night was when JT sang Let The Groove Get In. During the song a portion of the middle of the stage elevated up and started moved forward to the other side.
JT and the back up singers moved over to the other side of the concert hall to be more up close with the crowd. In Let The Groove Get In, I heard a short cover of some Gloria Estefan and the Sound Machine.
Oh ay Oh ah! Oh ay Oh ah!
JT and the back up singers were moving on that contraption and I didn’t see any safety nets. Yeah baby, having fun now! I noticed that he changed to a black suit and converse like chuckies because he would of been sliding with the dress shoes he had on earlier.
JT and backup singers on moving stage.
This was a cool night my hubby and I enjoyed the JT concert from our box suite. Oh yes we did.
I would like to thank JT, the band’s music director, the 11 or more piece band, 4 back up singers, 6 dancers, audio, sound, roadies, the concert bus driver, everyone because they all were working it hard.
I have to mention everyone.
The concert was 2 hours and 40 minutes with a ten minute intercession.
I would like to thank Alive Magazine and the Memphis Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for the tickets to a show that otherwise my hubby and I would not have been able to attend.
I am humbled and grateful to have this special opportunity.
Let The Groove Get In To YOU!
After the JT concert my hubby and I enjoyed the sights and sounds of Beale Street.
Carman is raising funds for his new album through Kickstarter and is 90% complete.
I grew up listening to Carman’s music. This is wonderful to hear that he is planning to write new songs and record an album.
On Carman’s Facebook page he announced that he’s battling an illness. I am interceding for and I am believing for Carman’s complete healing.
Carman’s words on the Kickstarter Fundraising site page said,
“I’m so excited about this incredible opportunity we all have through “Kickstarter” to make something happen as a team and a family. Through this fundraiser for a new CD and Video project, we can finally have something big we can interact on, on a personal level. 8 weeks ago I was diagnosed with incurable Multiple Myeloma Cancer and given a 3-5 year window of time. It seemed like a death sentence but through Kickstarter God have turned it into a life sentence.”
Carman has given free concerts where thousands gave their lives to Jesus. He has ministered for years and I support him and his music.
The Grammys is Sunday and I must admit I am an avid lover of music. This year has some contenders that are very different but up for the fight in their own right.
I have been doing my research on the Best New Artist of the Year Nominees. Everyone is predicting Frank Ocean will win the New Artist of the Year Grammy award. I think he has some competition.
Thinking Bout You
A song about love and break up. He is first a song writer. His written for many popular singers. He became very popular with his crystal clear openness about his life and revealing his bisexuality. An R&B artist coming out. Ocean is the favored winner according to critics; but sometimes the Grammy’s gives a twisted turn so you never know.
fun.
We Are Young (feat Janelle Monae)
This song was at the top of the charts for weeks.
This song is a good contender.
The Lumineers
Their song, “Ho Hey” makes you want to clap your hands, sing along and have some fun. The background music with the vocals is so filled with energy. Will it win Best New Artist? We will see on Sunday.
Alabama Shakes sound is so different then what is out there right now. This groups is my first choice fav. Their music is pure blues/ R&B and rock, all rolled together. Southern rock at its best. Lead singer Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, bassist Zac Cockrell, and drummer Steve Johnson know how to rock. I can see them winning the best new artist award.
Hunter Hayes is nominated for Best New Artist for the song, “Wanted.” This song was and is so popular. He is a multi-instrumentalist who sings some really toe-tapping country music. I think that he could win; but we shall see. Being relatively new on the country scene, Hayes’ music sounds like he has been around for a long time.
www.grammy.com
“Wanted,” is a pretty song, I want to wrap you up, I want to kiss your lips, I want to make you feel wanted… He could win for this.
Who do you think will win Best New Artist at the Grammys on Sunday?
I submitted some pictures to pepsi.com to possibly be included in the Pepsi Superbowl Halftime Countdown. The photos needed to be taken with a camera and at night. There was different pose choices to choose from on the site, I decided to do clock movements. I submitted five photos. Over 100,000 photos were submitted and they selected about 500 to be in the final cut to be in the video. My photo below was one of those 500 picked to be included in the countdown before the Superbowl half time show. I received an email message from Pepsi,saying that my photo had been selected for ‘possible’ inclusion in the video. I had to sign an affidavit and have it notarized in order for my photo to be considered. Pepsi indicated that I would receive a coupon for a free 12 pack of my favorite Pepsi products if my photo was used.
I did not know if my photo was going to be included in the video because I did not hear back from Pepsi after I signed the affidavit. I watched the half time show and the countdown video and said there’s no way. I could not be included in there because I saw it and I did not see myself. I said, “oh well it was fun to be a part of the process.”
However in yesterday’s mail, I received an envelope from Track Marketing Group out of New York City. Not knowing what it was, I opened it up and inside was a coupon for a free 12-pack of Pepsi products. I began thinking to myself, I must have been included, but where was it.
I looked at the ad in a Youtube video, but still I didn’t see myself. But in the information section of the video, it said to check Pepsi’s website to watch the video frame by frame to see if you made the cut. I went to website and looked at each frame. The video was 30 seconds and had over 370 frames. That is where I found myself, on frames 344, 345 and 346. I saw my image in the number one. Take a look. My picture is cropped and marked by the yellow dots. Each of these three frames has my photo in it at least six times. This is too cool.
JT in Number One of Countdown Superbowl Halftime video
This is the capture of my pic with others in the number one of the countdown. I am really amazed that I was even included in this Beyonce + Pepsi Half-time countdown.
The picture is small and cropped (my picture is cropped at the waist) but it was included eight times in the number one. Eight times! I am actually in this ad.
Click on the photo below to see an enlarged version of it.
I had to slow down the video to see my photo. This was an awesome experience.
Click on the photo to see an enlarged version of it.
So exciting.
The video is below and the countdown came on right before Beyonce performed.
Beyonce came to the stage with dozens of fans cheering her on. Apparently twitter was going bonkers.
I really could not see a lot of the faces in the handmade countdown; because it was really fast but it was different take on introducing the show.
The stage was set with two faces looking at each other from each side with hair blowing in the wind.
Beyonce tonight wore a black leather jacket bodysuit ensemble by designer Rubin Singer and she threw into the audience her jacket and part of the skirt that revealed underneath a leather leotard dress with lace insets on the side.
www.RubinSinger.com
Her first song was a few verses of Love on Top and then Crazy in Love. I was right Jay Z was not on stage with her. She crawled on the stage, and did her cat walk.
She used a lot of body image interpretations of holograms of herself which I have seen her use in past performances. Baby Boy your on my mind you are my fantasy…
She had a mass amount of dancers and her band to fill the stage. She used a lot of lights and the cool part to me was the fire coming from the lady musician’s guitar.
I was hearing speculation that her former bandmates from Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, would not make an appearance. However, they came out from underneath the stage and sang Bootylicious, Independent Woman and then went right into Single Ladies and even did the dance routine. I got Single Ladies right too. It appeared that Kelly’s and Michelle’s mics were not turned up loud enough. I wonder if this was a miscue or if it was intentional.
I was really thinking that Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle would sing their latest release, Nuclear, but not this time. I have been hearing mixed reviews about the song so maybe one day the DC reunited will perform it live.
Beyonce also sung her hit Halo. She asked the audience to reach their hands out to her so she could feel their energy. Halo, Halo, Halo!
It was a high-energy show filled with booty shaking and many of Beyonce’s hits. Would have liked to seen her perform my favorite song, Get Me Bodied, but I know there are only so many songs you can perform in 12-13 minutes.
It was very clear that Beyonce’s performance was not about introducing any new material but giving the fans their favorites and that’s what it’s really about. She did a good job.
I have to admit my favorite Superbowl halftime show was when Prince performed, EPIC.
And congratulations to the Baltimore Ravens for winning a hard-fought game.
Learn More About JT
Bubbling with Elegance and Grace started out as an outlet for my passion for fashion but has evolved into a place for me to teach, collaborate, and inspire. My hubby has since joined the team and we have been digital creators for 13 years. We are thankful for those who believed in us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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