How does Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé Compare to the World Tour?

The latter half of this year really has been a celebration of music in the cinema space, with theatrical releases of two concert films in the span of two months. I had the privilege of attending the Renaissance World Tour earlier this year when Beyoncé performed in London, so I was curious to see how the Renaissance film would shape up next to the live experience.

There is a magical quality to live music that can’t quite be articulated. The experience of being in a stadium, surrounded by fans, watching the unfiltered artistry of one of the greatest musicians of our time is a spellbinding adrenaline rush. In this vein, The Renaissance World Tour could only be described as an absolute spectacle. The combination of visuals, pyrotechnics, and set pieces alongside Beyoncé’s numerous dancers, choreography, and vocal performances creates a true beast of a show – one which is half performance art, half pure musical ecstasy.

Of course, not everyone was able to see the tour in person, so it feels like a kindness when artists like Beyoncé are so willing to create their concert films with as much passion as they do, and the Renaissance film certainly does not disappoint. Sharing its structure with Beyoncé’s previous film Homecoming, entire fifteen-minute sections of the show will play out undisturbed and allow us to be totally immersed in the experience; this quickly cuts to behind the scenes, showing us the process of creating the tour, the inspiration and meaning behind the album as well as insights into Beyoncé’s personal life balancing stardom with motherhood. It is a beautifully crafted experience, where the editing, lighting, and sound design all seamlessly work to simulate that stadium space and enhance the atmospheric tone that Beyoncé created in real life.

In many ways, this film is the definitive Beyoncé experience. There are so many nuances in the dancer’s choreography or the scale of the set pieces that you simply miss when watching it live, but which draw a new-found appreciation when highlighted through film. The chunk of the showtime is taken up by the Renaissance album itself, covering every track from the 2022 record in order. Even “Thique” and “All Up In Your Mind” are present after being omitted from several of her live performances, including mine. We get to see the costumes from different shows around the world all seamlessly cut into one performance, meaning even after seeing her live you still feel like you are experiencing something fresh. This extends to the various guest appearances such as Kendrick Lamar and Diana Ross – none of which were present for my show but which I now feel I vicariously experienced.

Whilst seeing Beyoncé in person was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it also seriously made me question what the current standard for concert etiquette is. My friend and I had been positively buzzing in the lead-up to the show for weeks. Upon arrival we found our seats about halfway to the top of the stadium in the seated section, we had a clear view of the stage and felt pretty happy with it. The concert begins, and the queen herself emerges out of the floor from a sea of mist. The crowd erupted in claps and cheers, and the people who were seated around us took to standing, ready to dance and party, we were no different.

No sooner had we stood up, did the group behind us start immediately heckling and yelling at us for obscuring their view. Obviously, not everyone can stand during a concert, so seated sections are intended to allow people the opportunity to enjoy the show how they wish. Had the individuals behind us related that in a manner befitting a Beyoncé concert, we might have had more sympathy. Instead, profanity and insults were immediately launched our way, with the entire opening ballad spiraling into a battle of wills over whether my friend or I would be the first to crumble under the abuse and sit down – I lost. Adding to the frustration, the thousands of fans surrounding us did not face the same issue that we did.

In a cinema environment, this doesn’t really become a problem. You may get the occasional phone ringing or have to stand up to allow someone room to go to the toilet, but at my showing, there was a sense that everyone there was a genuine fan of Beyoncé and was ready to celebrate the show and her music. I saw the film in IMAX, and highly recommend that to anyone looking for the most immersive experience. Overall, whilst nothing can compete with the atmosphere of live music, this film is a true triumph that captures the energy of the World Tour with the added bonus of behind-the-scenes content.