A Renaissance in Charlotte: Thousands of fans descend on Queen City for Beyoncé
By Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez
Thousands gathered to see superstar Beyoncé at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday night for her Renaissance World Tour concert in Charlotte.
Some fans are wearing Beyoncé Disco Cowboy hats, others are carrying Beyoncé’s zodiac signs, while many others have donned Beyoncé’s Renaissance outfits.
The Queen City is the only stop in the Carolinas. Here are images of fans outside the stadium prior to the concert.
The Hat
Crissey Pope, 9, strikes a pose before seeing Beyonce tonight at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. Pope, who turns 10 this month, was given tickets to the concert as an early birthday present. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Renaissance
Jessica, left, William, center, and Yasmine wear hats bearing song titles from the Renaissance album. “She spent hours and hours making these hats for us,” says Jessica about her mother, who custom made the hats for the concert. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Pink Look
Justin Pettit, from Raleigh, poses after purchasing a shirt before seeing Beyonce tonight at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Pose
Ocean Bailey strikes a pose as she waits to see Beyonce tonight at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Ballroom
Melody Rose, left, and Stacy Sprinklez pose before seeing Beyonce tonight at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. “I love that she’s paying homage to the ballroom scene and I can’t wait to see it,” says Rose, about what she is most excited for tonight. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
We’re Here
Keylichon McNair, 17, left, and Jacoya Tarver, 17, of Salisbury, pose before seeing Beyonce tonight at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. “We were too young to go to her [Beyonce] other shows, but now we’re grown and we’re here!” says McNair about her excitement to see Beyonce perform. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Look
“I only want to be on the cover, not on the side page,” says Rickey Hill, from D.C., as he strikes a pose before seeing Beyonce tonight at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Pink Dress
“I came down all the way just for her,” says Michelle Uscangan, who drove from Raleigh to see Beyonce, which will be her first concert ever. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Outfit
Melissa Westley, of Fayetteville, wears a custom made outfit by House of Kustoms, for the Beyoncé concert tonight at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Shoes
A friend group from D.C. strikes a pose before seeing Beyonce tonight at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Sisters
Sisters Dimitria Rozier, left, and Taryn Rozier, drove from Greensboro to see Beyonce tonight at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Signs
“Bet you believe I’m gonna cry,” said Benjamin Ford about seeing Beyoncé for the first time tonight at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Team
Carii Kingdom, left, Mikwon Williams, center, and Slim pose before seeing Beyonce tonight at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Friends
Friends pose as they wait to see Beyonce tonight at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
More Friends
Friends pose outside Bank of America Stadium before seeing Beyoncé tonight at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
This story was originally published August 9, 2023 at 6:55 PM.
