Queen Bey’s hometown performance changed my perspective on my own Southern roots.
If you’ve never been to Houston in June, it’s a dangerous heat at 90-something degrees with palpable humidity that sticks to your skin. But after stepping off the plane at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on this particular June day, there was something much stronger in the air: Beyoncé was returning to her hometown for two nights on her Cowboy Carter Tour. And the Beyhive had descended upon the city in full force, ready to see the “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” singer return to where it all began.
As one of the official sponsors for the tour, Marriott Bonvoy offered fans three exclusive ways to experience the show. As a part of the Marriott Bonvoy Cowboy Carter Tour Sweepstakes, winners were treated to the “Bring Your Beehive” Grand Prize that included six concert tickets, three hotel rooms, and a glam squad for concert-ready hair and makeup. Marriott Bonvoy Members could also redeem their points for two tickets and a welcome gift, or bid points for a VIP experience including two tickets, a two-night stay, an arrival dinner, a glam squad, and transportation to and from the show.
Growing up in Southeast Louisiana, I’ve been to Houston on a number of occasions. But this time, as a guest of Marriott Bonvoy, I’d be seeing the city through the eyes of its native daughter: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.
Day 1
2:00 p.m. The Marriott Marquis Houston is prepared for their concert-going guests. There’s a DJ playing Beyoncé’s best hits; QR codes with discounts on her haircare line, Cécred; activations like glitter tattoos, cowboy hat customizing, and permanent jewelry; and a photo moment with a model of the floating red convertible from the show in which she sings “16 CARRIAGES.” (It should be noted that during her first show of the weekend, the floating car malfunctioned, much to the audience’s distress. Nevertheless, the singer was unharmed but chose not to use the car for night two.)
2:30 p.m. From the comfort of my room on the 16th floor, I have a clear view of the lower rooftop pool as well as the Texas-shaped lazy river. Anywhere else, I would find this grandiose level of state pride to be off-putting, but something about Texas, Texans, and their shared larger-than-life personality has me tickled more than anything.
8:00 p.m. We arrive for dinner at B&B Butchers & Restaurant. This is a favorite for Beyoncé and Jay-Z when they’re in town, whether it’s a private meal in the butcher room or a to-go order for the flight out of town.
8:45 p.m. Our waiter, Kyle, helps us decide between menu items since everything looks so delicious. I end up getting a sumptuous roasted chicken with sides like mac and cheese, lobster whipped potatoes, mushrooms, and asparagus split amongst the table.
10:15 p.m. Absolutely stuffed, we arrive back at the hotel and I call it a night.
Day 2
9:30 a.m. Ordering room service feels like the Beyoncé thing to do—but mostly I don’t want to leave my very comfortable bed. So, a traditional Southern breakfast is delivered to me.
10:30 a.m. The one piece I’m missing for my concert outfit is a belt. I’m thinking belt buckle you can see from space, maybe a rhinestone Bud Light logo—something I can only get away with in Texas.
11:30 a.m. I give up looking for my precious belt when I realize that downtown Houston plays by Chick-fil-a rules—closed on Sundays. Aside from a few Starbucks and some fast food chains, the city is asleep. I head back to the hotel with no belt.
1:30 p.m. I grab lunch downstairs from Xochi. It’s traditional Oaxacan cuisine with a Texas charm.
2:00 p.m. My hairstylist arrives. As a part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Cowboy Carter package, guests can receive professional hair and makeup before the show—with extra hold to fight the Texas humidity.
While my stylist does my blowout (straight with soft waves), we talk about Love Island, Beyoncé, and her recent move to Houston. She and her partner relocated to the area just a few months ago from Minnesota. In addition to adjusting to the heat, she’s adjusting to a life away from her family while transitioning and changing career paths. I tell her that I’m currently considering the opposite—moving back to my hometown of New Orleans after nine years.
Our stories brought my thoughts back to Cowboy Carter and Beyoncé’s controversial transition into country music. And it wasn’t her first try either. Her icy reception at the 2016 CMA Awards halted what could have been the start of her country career. Instead, she waited eight years before returning to make country music her way—lyrics highlighting life in the South as a Black woman, features from young Black country artists, and nods to blues, rock, zydeco, bluegrass, and soul, genres that gave birth to country music as we know it. Change is scary—clearly the naysaying country artists aren’t loving the change they’re seeing in the space—but it’s also a prerequisite for growth.
3:30 p.m. My MUA, Bianca, arrives. I show her a photo from Beyoncé’s Instagram—a taupe smoky eye with black liner—for inspiration. She gets to work. She tells me she is a native Houstonian who found her passion for makeup early. She explains, “I was a Youtube kid.” I make sure to specify the need for waterproof makeup—between the sweat and the tears, my hair and makeup are getting put to the test tonight.
4:30 p.m. I’m dressed in my denim jumpsuit, cowboy boots, black hat, and pearl belt that I found at a Paris flea market last summer. It’s not the rhinestone cowgirl vibe I was going for, but it works all the same.
4:40 p.m. I meet the group downstairs for pre-concert activities. Two very different demographics are mingling. There are the obvious concertgoers, dressed in cowboy hats and rhinestone boots, recreations of her famous album cover look, and more than a few assless chaps (including some DIY). Then there are people in Houston Astros jerseys, getting ready to head out for the baseball game.
4:45 p.m. Cueva, the lobby bar, is serving happy hour drinks using SirDavis, Beyoncé’s whisky brand.
5:00 p.m. We stop for photos with the “16 CARRIAGES” car. A lot of photos.
5:30 p.m. Settling into our Real Housewives-coded sprinter van, we turn on Cowboy Carter and join the caravan to NRG Stadium—home of the Houston Texans and venue for the Beyoncé Bowl this past Christmas.
6:30 p.m. We arrive at the stadium with enough time to grab food and drinks.
7:50 p.m. Prompt queen that she is, the show begins right on time. Our seats are Row 1 on the floor. For the next three hours, I, alongside more than 100,000 other fans, sing, dance, and shout as we watch a generational talent give her hometown the show of a lifetime.
9:00 p.m. Just as Bey is heading our way for a full song right in front of us, my phone tells me I’m out of storage. Out of options, I put my phone away and watch with my own eyes as she performs “THIQUE” not five feet from me. For my troubles, I caught one of the fake newspaper props she and her dancers used during the segment. A win is a win. During the next transition, I delete half the apps on my phone.
Day 3
11:00 a.m. As Beyoncé sings in her song “AMERIICAN REQUIIEM,” I, too, have “folks down in Galveston, rooted in Louisiana.” After breakfast, I head down to the coast to meet up with my family.
1:00 p.m. Looking out onto Galveston Bay, I’m reminded of the years I spent here as a kid. While native Texans would tell you that Galveston Beach is not the place to go if you’re looking for a seaside getaway, for me this island is an escape from time. It’s the place where I broke my arm while learning how to ride a two-wheel bike, stayed up late watching Disney movies on VHS with my little cousin, and reunited with my dad for the first time after his tour in Iraq. Here, I can feel my family, and I always leave feeling rejuvenated.
Beyoncé’s connection to and love for her hometown and home state not only helped her grow as an artist but also inspired the album that earned the singer her first Grammy for Album of the Year. She sings, “For things to stay the same, they have to change again.” Like Beyoncé, maybe going home is the change I need.
