Beyoncé delivered her first live performance from her country music album “Cowboy Carter” on December 25, 2023, during the halftime of Netflix’s inaugural NFL Christmas Game Day at NRG Stadium in Houston. This long-anticipated performance featured a dramatic entrance on a white horse, starting with the song “16 Carriages.” Accompanying her were artists like Tierra Kennedy and Britney Spencer, highlighting a collaborative spirit throughout the set.
Her performance included various songs, showcasing her versatility as she sang “Ya Ya” and “Riverdance,” followed by collaborations on tracks like “Sweet Honey Buckin'” and a rendition of Post Malone’s “Levi’s Jeans.” She also performed the iconic “Jolene,” marking a significant moment with “Texas Hold’em,” which was performed live for the first time and acknowledged its Texas roots, with her daughter, Blue Ivy, proudly supporting her.
Concluding the show with festive cheer, Beyoncé sent holiday wishes to the audience, culminating her performance that ties back to the album’s introduction earlier in the year at Super Bowl LVIII. She had revealed “Cowboy Carter” during a Verizon commercial, expressing themes of resilience and historical reflection in country music, rooted in her own experiences as an artist facing criticism when entering the genre.
The album features collaborations with many prominent artists, including Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, and Willie Nelson. Beyoncé’s halftime show was produced by her company, Parkwood Entertainment along with Jesse Collins Entertainment. For those who missed the live performance, it can be rewatched on Netflix for a limited time following the Ravens-Texans game.