[MinajMeBeyonce]

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – "I gotta say," Beyonce told the crowd of 5500 fans who packed Revel, "it feels so good to be back home on stage."

It was first of three soldout shows marking the opening of the swank new beachfront resort — and, more significantly, the 30-year-old superstar's first performance since she and hubby Jay-Z welcomed daughter Blue Ivy Carter in January.

Blue's papa was on hand to see his wife return to work. (Other attendees included Smash star Megan Hilty, model Selita Ebanks and Beyonce's old Destiny's Child cohort Kelly Rowland.) But predictably, Beyonce didn't dwell on her personal life; the only reference to Blue in her two-hour set was during a video montage shown at the end, featuring a brief flash of the proud mama cradling her daughter.

The singer was all business — that is to say, warm and gracious, glamorous and relentless. Backed by an all-female band and a tireless posse of dancers and backup vocalists, Beyonce reasserted her unique pop persona; she was at once angel and seductress, cool diva and woman of the people.

She first appeared (after an opening set by the operatic R&B belter Luke James) in silhouette, a large screen hanging over the stage tracing her trim curves. For the first batch of songs — among them a feisty End of Time, a retro-soulful Love on Top and a giddy Crazy In Love— she wore a cropped, spangled top and micro-mini skirt. Several costumes followed, naturally — all showing plenty of leg, some offering a peak at the new mom's taut tummy.

The pace grew more languorous as Beyonce segued from a spoken-word segment about female sexuality into a sultry Naughty Girl. Girl power was, not surprisingly, a recurring theme, though the singer made a point of giving equal attention and affection to her male dancers and audience members. During Run the World (Girls) and Irresistible, she engaged the fans in playful competition; the latter became an exuberant singalong, with Beyonce leaving the first verse and chorus to her fans.

Another string of songs played down the flashy production, focusing on Beyonce and individual members of her band. She sat at the piano for an exuberant 1 + 1, while If I Were A Boy became a jangly guitar-pop number, in which she inserted a bit of the Goo Goo Dolls' Iris.

Toward the end, Beyonce made another artful transition — from the opening of Whitney Houston's megahit I Will Always Love You, performed in tribute to the late singer, to Halo. She closed the show, appropriately, with Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), at once reaffirming her solidarity with all her fans and confirming that this diva plans on sticking around for a good long time.

SOURCE

[Drais.]

Here come the excellent reviews.

[Sláy]

[Ryan]

The Press of Atlantic City's review should be up in the morning. My paper better stan for Queen Bey

[Shaliydah88]

Soinds good, minus IWALY and her closing with Single Ladies.

Can we expect a 4 Tour or?

[Harmonic Dreamer]

Here is that GLORIOUS cover of IWALY.

[BEE.HD]

[M-D-N-A]

****! How can I be slayed like this effortlessly? I'm not worthy

[Midnight]

Irresistible

Someone was mad about BTINH missing the setlist.

But seriously, the show is fantastic and I didn't even see all of it yet.

[LP54]

She wows all her performances so whats new?

[Sophs.]

SLAYED.

[All Guns Blazing]

[Kworb]

Originally posted by Harmonic Dreamer

Here is that GLORIOUS cover of IWALY.

That outfit, those vocals. Halo was much better.

Glad she is back on stage

[BnPac]

Originally posted by Kworb

those vocals.

[Kworb]

Originally posted by BnPac

Way too much vibrato. Totally removed all of the tenderness and vulnerability in the first part of the song. She probably would've slayed the belting parts, too bad she didn't sing those.

[BnPac]

Originally posted by Kworb

Way too much vibrato. Totally removed all of the tenderness and vulnerability in the first part of the song. She probably would've slayed the belting parts, too bad she didn't sing those.

Oh okay. For a moment there I was confused, I did love it but I totally understand your point.

[Rico Shameless v2]

Originally posted by Harmonic Dreamer

Here is that GLORIOUS cover of IWALY.

What is she wearing?

[foxaylove]

Will it be on DVD? It'll be nice to add the concert to the growing DVD collection.

[Lose My Breath]

The stage was absolutely amazing.

The floor was LED, the backdrop was as well and the light show was INSANE, I have never seen anything like it in my life.

[Rock That Beat...]