Beyoncé began her Cowboy Carter show with none other than her album opener, “AMERIICAN REQUIEM,” setting up her tour’s mission of claiming space in country music, and kicking off a politically minded act that also paired the U.S. National Anthem with her 2016 track “Freedom.”

Beyoncé kicked off her "Cowboy Carter" tour in Los Angeles in a show that stretched nearly three hours and included almost 40 songs.

Beyoncé delivered a rousing, extended version of Cowboy Carter fan fave “Ya Ya,” as she and her dancers revved the crowd up to a fever pitch. Adding to the fervor was another surprise: her reaching back to 2008 album I Am … Sasha Fierce for the track “Why Don’t You Love Me” and pairing it with “Ya Ya” for a revivalist-vibed sing-along.