Beyonce's show at Atlantis The Royal on Saturday is almost as momentous as the opening of the exclusive resort itself.
The invite-only show, the pop star's first since 2018, also kicks off her preparation for a planned world tour beginning in the summer.
Beyonce confirmed the news in October through a presentation at the Wearable Art Gala in the US through a slide stating the Renaissance Tour will begin "in the summer of 2023" with "national and international destinations."
Considering the intense preparations going into each of her tours, painstakingly captured in the 2019 Netflix documentary Homecoming, chances are that work has already begun well in advance of the Dubai gig.
This would mean there is a fair chance she would use the gala event to perform songs from Renaissance for the first time.
As for the number of songs from the record that could receive the live treatment in her coming world tour, the magic number seems to be seven.
The last three solo world tours, stretching back to 2009's I Am... World Tour, has featured seven tracks from what was then her latest album.
With that said, here is our pick of seven tracks from Renaissance that could feature in both Dubai and beyond.
1. Break My Soul
The monster lead single could serve as an exuberant concert opener.
Built on the prominent sampling of Big Freedia's bounce track Explode (2014) and Robin S's pop-dance hit Show Me Love (1993), Beyonce hasn’t sounded this carefree since her days with Destiny’s Child.
The four-on-the-floor rhythm is laced with the throbbing keyboard lines of Show Me Love, while her vocals are confident and uncharacteristically unassuming.
2. Cuff It
The most accessible track on Renaissance, the funky guitar riffs could inspire some scintillating dance choreography on stage.
Backed by the soulful horns and Beyonce’s lustful vocals, Cuff It should have the crowd at their feet.
Beyonce would probably use the track’s key lyrics to ask the crowd: “Have you ever had fun like this?”
Cue the bedlam in response.
3. Virgo’s Groove
Beyonce's tours are high-octane affairs and feature strategically placed slower numbers segueing to the next part of the multi-act show.
In that regard, the blissful Virgo’s Groove is the ideal placeholder.
Carried by a luscious electronic groove, a live version would have Beyonce trading vocals with her backing singers.
The song should act as an ideal moment to catch our breath before the energy ramps up again.
4. Move
Beyonce concerts have no shortage of powerful feminist anthems and Move could fit in nicely into the mix.
A strident amalgam of hip-hop, dance and house music and recorded with Grace Jones and Tems, it is defined by a walloping chorus that declares: "Move out the way, I'm with my girls and we all need space / When the queen's come through, don't try like the rest say.”
Those at the show experiencing the trio performing the track live should consider themselves lucky.
5. Alien Superstar
A track to make use of the cutting-edge visual elements Beyonce incorporates into her shows.
Beginning with a disorienting avalanche of rapid-fire beats, the recorded version of a spoken word performance mixes electro-tinged crooning.
Dark and sleek, Alien Superstar should serve as a fine moment to savour Beyonce's artistry.
6. Heated
A surefire crowd favourite, fans on social media have been calling for this song to feature on Beyonce’s new tour as soon as Renaissance was released.
It's not hard to understand why, considering it's one of Renaissance's central songs.
Featuring percolating house music rhythms and ethereal synths, Heated is one of Beyonce's most personal tracks as it is an ode to her late uncle.
The only aspect that could make her think twice about this song is that its steady arrangements may not be dynamic enough to warrant the stage treatment.
Then again, Beyonce and her creative team will surely find a way to make it work.
7. Cozy
Cozy should also go down a treat live.
With lyrics being a pointed celebration of self-love and independence and a crowd more than ready to sing along, the song should mark one of the concert’s most powerful moments.
40 facts about Beyonce — in pictures
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Members of Destiny's Child, from left, LeToya, LaTavia, Kelly and Beyonce, pose with the three Lady of Soul Awards they won at the 1998 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards which was telecast live September 3 in Santa Monica. Reuters -
Beyonce at a studio in Sylmar, California recording the video for Destiny's Child's song, 'Bills, Bills, Bills' in 1999. Reuters -
Destiny's Child, from left, Kelly Rowland, Beyonce Knowles and Michelle Williams sing as they accept the Artist of the Year Award at the 2000 Billboard Music Awards December 5, 2000 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Reuters -
Destiny's Child, Kelly, Beyonce and Michelle Williams, perform with two dancers during halftime between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of NBA finals in Philadelphia, June 13, 2001. Reuters -
Mike Myers and Beyonce who co-starred in the film 'Austin Powers in Goldmember' pose at the post-premiere party at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, July 22, 2002. Reuters -
Guitarist Carlos Santana and singer Beyonce perform at the Super Bowl pre-game show at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium, January 26, 2003. Reuters -
Beyonce signs autographs after performing at an outdoor concert in New York, June 27, 2003. The former singer in the band Destiny's Child released her first solo album 'Dangerously in Love' on June 24. Reuters -
Beyonce hangs upside down at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards at the Radio City Music Hall in New York, August 28, 2003. Reuters -
Beyonce and Jay-Z watch the women's semifinal match between Kim Clijsters of Belgium and Lindsay Davenport of the United States at the 2003 US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York, September 5, 2003. Reuters -
Beyonce talks with Britain's Prince of Wales during the reception at the Fashion Rocks concert and fashion show in aid of the Prince's Trust at the Royal Albert Hall in London, October 15, 2003. Reuters -
Nelson Mandela poses for photographers with Beyonce and other performers during a visit to Robben Island Prison near Cape Town, November 28, 2003. Reuters -
Beyonce sings the national anthem before the start of Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston February 1, 2004. Reuters -
Prince and Beyonce perform during the 46th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, February 8, 2004. Reuters -
Solange Knowles, star of the new comedy film 'Johnson Family Vacation', poses with her sister, Beyonce and Kelly Rowland at the film's premiere in Hollywood March 31, 2004. Reuters -
Beyonce performs 'Learn to be Lonely' from the Phantom of the Opera at the 77th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, February 27, 2005. Reuters -
Destiny's Child accepts a star on the Walk of Fame under heavy rain in Hollywood March 28, 2006. Reuters -
Beyonce arrives to attend the amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, gala benefit in New York January 31, 2007. Reuters -
Beyonce arrives at the 79th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 25, 2007. Reuters -
Beyonce greets fans after performing during the 2008 Fashion Rocks concert to begin the 2009 Spring/Summer Fashion Week in New York September 5, 2008. Reuters -
Beyonce speaks with reporters at the premiere of 'Cadillac Records' in New York December 1, 2008. Reuters -
Beyonce sings 'America the Beautiful' during the We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, January 18, 2009. Reuters -
Beyonce sings to President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle during their first dance of the evening at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball in Washington, January 20, 2009. Reuters -
Beyonce performs at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. Reuters -
Taylor Swift greets Beyonce after being invited by Beyonce to finish her previously interrupted acceptance speech for best female video at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, September 13, 2009. Reuters -
Beyonce smiles as she makes an appearance at the Macy's department store to promote her new fragrance Heat in New York February 3, 2010. Reuters -
Beyonce performs on the Pyramid stage on the last day of the Glastonbury Festival, Somerset June 26, 2011. Reuters -
Beyonce poses at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles August 28, 2011. Reuters -
Beyonce sings the national anthem as US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden look on during the swearing-in ceremonies on the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington, January 21, 2013. Reuters -
Beyonce performs during the half time show in the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 3, 2013. Reuters -
Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z perform at the 56th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California January 26, 2014. Reuters -
Beyonce smiles with Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy after accepting the Video Vanguard Award on stage during the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards in Inglewood, California August 24, 2014. Reuters -
Beyonce and Ed Sheeran perform a medley during the taping of 'Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life - An All-Star GRAMMY Salute' concert at Nokia theatre in Los Angeles, California February 10, 2015. Reuters -
Beyonce, Chris Martin and Bruno Mars perform during the half-time show at the NFL's Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos in Santa Clara, California February 7, 2016. Reuters -
Beyonce performs 'Take My Hand' at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California on February 8, 2015. Reuters -
Beyonce performs 'Freedom' with Kendrick Lamar at the 2016 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California, June 26, 2016. Reuters -
Beyonce arrives at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, August 28, 2016. Reuters -
Beyonce performs at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, February 12, 2017. Reuters -
Beyonce holds the awards she won for Best Urban Contemporary Album for 'Lemonade' and Best Music Video for 'Formation' at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, February 12, 2017. Reuters -
Beyonce performs onstage during 2018 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Field on April 14, 2018 in Indio, California. AFP -
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, meet cast and crew, including Beyonce and her husband, Jay-Z, as they attend the European premiere of the film The Lion King in London, Britain July 14, 2019. Reuters
Atlantis The Royal is opening with an invite-only grand reveal on the weekend of January 20, Beyonce is performing on January 21
