As arguably one of the best live shows of recent times, Beyoncé’s Coachella performance broke a major viewing record on YouTube during its live stream on Saturday, April 14. According to a press release, this year’s Coachella was reportedly the festival’s biggest to date, bringing over 41 million live views from fans in 232 countries over the weekend. Beyoncé’s Saturday stage show alone garnered 458K simultaneous viewers around the world, making her awe-inspiring presentation the most viewed Coachella performance of all time, as well as the most viewed live music festival ever on YouTube.
Amidst the performance, Beyoncé became the first black woman to ever headline Coachella in its nearly 20-year history, and she absolutely made it a point to use the platform to showcase all of the beauty of her roots throughout the entire history-making night. Making mention of the monumental moment, Beyoncé spoke to the audience, saying, “Thank you Coachella for allowing me to be the first black woman to headline.” She also went on to praise the women before her who paved the way.
The high octane stage show, notably a celebration of black history, black pride and higher education, was centered around the theme of historically black colleges and universities or “HBCUs.” Amongst many great moments, Beyoncé performed with a 200-person HBCU marching band throughout the entire show, intertwined Nina Simone’s “Lilac Wine,” quoted Malcolm X, paid homage to Fela Kuti, and sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – a song which is more notably referred to as the “Black National Anthem.” In short…she once again proved why she is QUEEN.
She danced, she sang, collaborated with her hubby JAY-Z, engaged in a dance-off with her sister Solange, celebrated women with bodies of every size, had a Destiny’s Child reunion – she literally did. It. All. And she did it while using the platform to celebrate feminism, diversity and the beauty of blackness.
It’s worth pointing out that these records may be short-lived as Beyoncé is set to headline the Coachella stage once again during the second weekend of the music festival. Although it remains unclear whether or not her upcoming performance will be a carbon copy of last week’s jaw-dropping showcase, rumors have been swirling that there could possibly be something new and even more record-shattering on the horizon… But again, this is Beyoncé. Has anyone ever successfully predicted her moves?
