Beyoncé Flips the Script With an Ambitious Cowboy Carter Tour Setlist
When Beyoncé tours, she doesn’t just revisit her hits—she turns every show into an event that fans will retell for years. The Cowboy Carter Tour in 2025 is no exception. Beyoncé handpicked 39 tracks for her newest tour, stitching together her most beloved songs, daring genre mashups, and a few covers that’ll surprise even her biggest devotees. Every detail feels hand-crafted, from the opening with 'American Requiem' to the final notes of 'AMEN', showing just how much thought goes into every second of her stage time.
The song selection reads like a history lesson of her evolution. Core anthems like 'Formation,' 'Diva,' and 'Crazy in Love' (revamped with the 2018 Coachella Remix and nods to 'I'm a Hustla' and 'Freakum Dress') weave through the night. What really jumps out, though, are the medleys. 'Spaghettii' throws three crowd-thumpers—'Run the World (Girls),' 'My Power,' and 'Flawless'—into a single, pounding mashup. Then there’s the high-energy run of 'Sweet ★ Honey ★ Buckiin',' 'Summer Renaissance,' and 'Pure/Honey,' stacked together for pure dancefloor euphoria.
But Beyoncé doesn’t stop at her own material. In a move that got fans buzzing, she belts out Dolly Parton’s 'Jolene,' putting her stamp on the country classic. She also tackles 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,' bringing a soulful edge to the Ewan MacColl/Peggy Seeger ballad. These covers aren’t just tributes—they bridge genres, showing that her reach goes way beyond pop and R&B and into country, soul, and beyond.
Empowerment, Theatrics, and Innovation: Beyoncé's Signature Touches
There’s no shying away from the power anthems, either. Songs like 'Formation' and 'Diva' are more than just setlist staples—they’re rallying cries. The energy lifts when these tracks drop, and it’s clear empowerment is a core theme this tour. Even older favorites don’t stay untouched. For 'Thique,' Beyoncé spices things up with samples from Destiny’s Child’s 'Say My Name' and 'Bills, Bills, Bills,' blending nostalgia with her current, more experimental style. 'Alien Superstar' delivers fresh vibes that still echo her unmistakable confidence.
Every segment pulses with theatrical energy, helped along by quirky interludes. Midway through, clips like 'Who Is Cowboy Carter?' and 'This Is Theater' give the audience a breather while deepening the show’s storyline. These moments remind everyone that Beyoncé’s not just delivering songs—she’s building an experience that sits somewhere between a concert, a musical, and a cultural statement.
The Cowboy Carter Tour is anything but a typical greatest hits show. With theatrical interludes, sweeping mashups, and surprises around every corner, Beyoncé proves that when she performs, there’s always a new layer to uncover. If you catch this show on the road, expect more than music—you’re walking into Beyoncé’s ever-changing vision, brought to life, night after night.