Houston loves Beyoncé. Monday, July 15th, 2013 will forever be remembered as the night she owned H-Town, performing a monster 24-song set at a sold-out Toyota Center show. Fans lined up from early in the morning for a show that began far after sunset, all in hopes of basking in Her Highness' glow for an hour or two.
Of course, ever the diva, and wanting to avoid the type of unflattering photos that hit the interwebs after her performance at this year's Super Bowl Big Game, the media was prohibited from attending the concert for professional photography. As a concert photographer, this decision broke my heart.
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But wait, what's this? An "official" Mrs. Carter Show Afterparty invitation in my e-mail inbox?! Could it be true? Would Queen B, and by extension Jay-Z, possibly, just possibly attend an afterparty... at Warehouse Live?!
I mean, during the 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend here in Houston, Bey and Jay made their rounds around town, attending a dinner at RGD+Bar Annie and then making a late appearance at Rich's. RICH'S FOR GOD SAKE! So if there was even a slight chance the superstar would stop in for a few minutes, I had to take it.
Waiting for Beyoncé: Hour One Not so much going on, but it's early. The show at Toyota is still going on, so Warehouse Live is still pretty empty. There are a few couples sitting on the couches of the studio, and musicians setting up onstage.
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Beyoncé at Toyota Center, 7/15/2013
I spot David DeLaGarza at the keyboards, so I go over to say hello. Singer Jack Freeman is also waiting nearby, looking not very excited. He suspects that even though he was invited to sing tonight, he probably will not due to "time restraints."
There is a red carpet, and it leads into the super VIP green room, complete with a D'ussé Cognac backdrop for photos, a bar (not open) and food (meatballs, wings, and rice). Seems legit. There are people with clipboards and guest lists handing out wristbands and directing traffic.
Oh, and I am severely underdressed for this event. One guy was dressed in a Steve Harvey-esque pimp suit, while a female attendee wore a white bathing suit with a black-wire skirt.
No Beyoncé yet.
Waiting for Beyoncé: Hour Two The MC/Host for the night is a dapper gentleman/comedian named Marcus Wiley. He prompts those standing at the periphery of the venue to "join the congregation," just as a pair of beautiful ladies walk by him on the way to the bar. "I wish the ushers at church looked like you two! Maybe more males would attend service like that! They should also serve some drank. We can call it Hennessy And Honeybuns!"
The David DeLaGarza Band starts the show. The sound at the Warehouse Live Studio is the best I've ever heard. The lighting is normal, though, which is awful. I spot rapper Hoodstar Chantz in the audience. He says he was also invited to perform along with one of the singers. I don't think he ever took the stage either.
Still no Beyoncé.
