Boots, Bling & Beyoncé: My Cowboy Carter Tour Experience (Washington N2) + tips

The night started off hot with the breeze of hand fans cutting through the air. Glitter, hairspray, and cowboy boots hit the pavement in rhythm. By 3pm everyone was in glam waiting for the show to begin.

Cowboy Carter isn't just a country tour its a Beyonce tour. A full blown cultural moment. From opening night, I avoided spoilers ( I love going into concerts surprised). I didn't know the setlist or visuals and that's exactly how it should be. The first half of the show was something magical. Even in our current political climate, it made you proud to be American.

Everyone understood the memo when it came to the outfits. Think cowboy chic with hats, boots, rhinestones, and denim. A few Boycott Beyonce shirts a perfect throwback to the origin story of the album. I went for a more cowgirl-chic look: a flowy maxi skirt, boots, a gingham top, and cropped denim jacket.

Northwest Stadium Section 301

When it comes to stadium logistics, we arrived around 3:30 pm, right when stadium parking opened. The lot was nearly empty but the merch lines were already booming. We stood in line for about an hour and a half, maybe two. By the time we got merch, the stadium was just about to open. We took a much needed air conditioning break in the car before heading in. By 6:00 we got out wristbands and made our way to our seats.

The show started around 8:15 when the sun began to set. We got a full three hours of nonstop visuals, vocals and pure Beyonce magic. The crowd was electric, the set list blended Cowboy Carter, Renaissance and a few classics. The show ended exactly at 11:00 pm.

Tips for future dates:

1. Bring a fan - This goes for all outdoor summer concerts, It gets hot, sticky, and sweaty. Don't suffer if you don't have to.

2. Eat beforehand and hydrate- Whether you grab stadium food or fuel up before hand, don't skip a meal. Drink water, get some electrolytes, sip a lemonade for sugar, and throw in some carbs to keep you steady before the rodeo.

3. Get there early - Yes, waiting around is annoying but it gives you time to grab merch, take cute pics, and maybe refresh your hair + makeup.

4. Dress up, not down - This is Beyonce, need I say more. Cowboy chic is the vibe, don't be shy with the boots and bling.