It was a night of firsts at Houston’s NRG Stadium on Christmas (Dec. 25), as Beyoncé performed songs from her hit country album Cowboy Carter for the first time as part of Netflix’s maiden foray into broadcasting live NFL games. The superstar was in her hometown element during a seven-song performance at halftime of a game between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens.
Beyoncé entered on white horse while performing “16 Carriages,” followed by her cover of the Beatles’ “Blackbird” with vocal assistance from up-and-coming country acts Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts and Brittney Spencer.
In a glimmering white leotard, she moved onto “Ya Ya,” “My House” and a Shaboozey-assisted run through “Spaghetti,” “Riverdance” and “Sweet Honey Buckin’.” From there, Post Malone emerged for “Levii’s Jeans,” as the artists performed in front of a truck covered in denim.
Beyoncé kept things moving with her version of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” performed atop a moving convertible. But the biggest response may have come for Beyoncé’s 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy, who square danced with her mom during “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
In a nod to the setting, Beyoncé enlisted 200 members of Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band throughout the performance.
Netflix will re-air the performance in a special dubbed Beyoncé Bowl later this week at a time to be announced. Beyoncé is also teasing an announcement on Jan. 14, which many expect to be details of a 2025 tour.