Four years ago today, the world got to witness greatness personified, by way of Beyoncé’s groundbreaking 2018 Coachella performance.
From her pyramid stage, the 28-time Grammy winner performed a two-hour set that was rich in Black history, HBCU pride, iconic hits, musicality and so much more.
The full production was extraordinary, to say the least, but it was also filled with cultural references and homages to Black life, Black art and Black music. And rightfully so — after more than 20 years of shows and events from Indio, California’s Coachella Valley, Beyoncé made history as the first-ever Black woman to headline the festival.
From marching bands and Greek strolls to majorette dancing and chopped and screwed versions of songs, Beyoncé and the 150 dancers and musicians, made proud both the Black community and the millions of fans who watched the concert. Highlights included a mini Destiny’s Child reunion, and appearances from her husband, Jay-Z, and sister, Solange.
The 2018 performance, which was quickly dubbed ‘Beychella,’ received widespread critical acclaim, not only for the history it made, but so much more. The New York Times called the show “meaningful,” “absorbing” and “forceful,” among other things, with others wondering if Beyoncé’s two weekend performances can ever be topped, and more still considering it one of the greatest concerts of all time.
Netflix knew what to do: They joined forces with the singer to release the original concert film, Homecoming, at the same time Beyoncé released Homecoming: The Live Album.
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