Beyoncé put her best foot forward on Christmas Day as she took to the stage at the Houston’s NRG Stadium for her dazzling NFL half-time show – and critics were loving it.
The R&B superstar, 43, entertained fans in her home state of Texas, where local side Houston Texans took on – and eventually lost to – Baltimore Ravens.
Beyoncé pulled put all the stops for her 13-minute performance, performing an eight-song medley of tracks from her Cowboy Carter album complete with a plethora dancers, horses and even an appearance from her 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy.
And while the performance garnered some negative reaction, overall critics hailed the show a triumph, describing Beyoncé’s efforts as ‘breathtaking’ and a ‘masterful’ showcase of her latest LP.
However, despite her cowboy-themed spectacular streaming on Netflix on Christmas Day, one critic branded the show ‘as Christmassy as a Piña Colada on the beach’, referring to the lack of festive fanfare.
The Guardian’s Ben Beaumont-Thomas awarded her performance four stars, saying of the superstar: ‘Beyoncé has occasionally been guilty of stiffness or boring regality in live performance, but she noticeably loosened up on the Renaissance world tour and continues to be thrillingly rangy here.
Beyoncé put her best foot forward on Christmas Day as she took to the stage at the Houston’s NRG Stadium for her dazzling NFL half-time show – and critics were loving it
Beyoncé pulled put all the stops for her 13-minute performance, performing an eight-song medley of tracks from her Cowboy Carter album complete with a plethora dancers, horses and even an appearance from her 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy
‘She prowls down bleachers filled with brass players and dancers, her eyes bugging out, her hands mock-testifying, her moves gleeful and antic in the manner of Black artists from Little Richard to Janelle Monaé.
‘Half-time shows are always stuffed harder than the day’s turkeys, but this quickly becomes a veritable turducken of hits: a megamix that pulls in My House then Riiverdance then Sweet Honey Buckiin’ with special guest Shaboozey.’
Indeed, The Telegraph’s Ed Power agrees to Beyoncé’s incredible performance skills, hailing her Christmas Day show ‘eye-popping, mind-blowing, toe-tapping’, however, he was quick to add that the performance was ‘as “Christmassy” as a Piña Colada on the beach’.
Elsewhere, Lindsay Zoldadz of the New York Times noted that Beyoncé’s ‘jubilant’ performance was the complete ‘opposite’ of the less-than-welcoming reception she received amid her foray into country music, as she highlighted he singer’s message that ‘everyone was welcome’.
She went on to say of the high-energy show: ‘The impressive production, announced at the top as Beyoncé Bowl, seemed to employ a supporting cast that rivaled a cinematic blockbuster.
‘For most of its 13 minutes, the field teemed with musicians, dancers and a procession of extras, every one clad in dazzling white. That abundance sent a message. Though known for her monolithic singularity as a solo artist — and for striking power poses in the spotlight — Beyoncé put a version of herself on display during this show that felt especially generous, eager to share the moment.’
While Variety’s Steven J. Horowitz called the star’s first live showcase of her Cowboy Carter album ‘a masterful tour of choice cuts from her sprawling opus’.
He added: ‘It’s a challenge to top even your most arresting performances, yet Beyoncé repeatedly manages to outdo herself.’
While the performance garnered some negative reaction, overall critics hailed the show a triumph, describing Beyoncé’s efforts as ‘breathtaking’ and a ‘masterful’ showcase of her latest LP
However, despite her cowboy-themed spectacular streaming on Netflix on Christmas Day, one critic branded the show ‘as Christmassy as a Piña Colada on the beach’, referring to the lack of festive fanfare
And it wasn’t just critics who were impressed by Beyoncé’s efforts, with fans taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts
And it wasn’t just critics who were impressed by Beyoncé’s efforts, with fans taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.
They penned: ‘I just saw an enduring, iconic Emmy & Grammy award-worthy production & performance by #TheArtist #Beyonce Just…WOW!!!’
‘I dunno why I’m seeing x posts complaining about #Beyonce‘s performance She ate!! And she looked so happy to be back home in Texas.’
‘I still can’t get over how amazing the half time show was … There truly is no other artist like her … she truly is the greatest female performer of all time … she is truly unmatched.’
‘Beyoncé and Blue Ivy’s performance of ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ at the NFL Christmas halftime show was pure magic! Talent runs deep in this family.’
‘I’m going to be honest I’m Happy that I got to live in the area of #Beyonce there’s NO ..1 else that’s going to B like her and I have to actually deal with that she’s the epitome of a standard OF WHAT AN MUSIC ARTIST IS SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE she’s legendary!!!!
