Style & Image: Stage

Early into her career, Knowles developed an alter ego, Sasha Fierce, that represents the more aggressive, sexual and confident side of the singer. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly magazine, Knowles noted that her alter-ego is “strictly for the stage.” Knowles wears a “roboglove” in public to compliment Sasha Fierce.

In 2006, Knowles introduced her all-female tour band Suga Mama, which includes bassists, drummers, guitarists, horn players, keyboardists and percussionists. They debuted at the 2006 BET Awards and they re-appeared in the music video for “Irreplaceable” and “Green Light”. The band has supported Knowles in live performances, and on her 2007 The Beyoncé Experience world concert tour, and her 2009 I Am… Tour.

In an article entitled “Born to Entertain”, Knowles, alongside classic and contemporary entertainers, received praise for her stage performances. In reviewing her 2009 I Am… Tour, Alice Jones of The Independent writes, “Watching Beyoncé sing and strut her stuff can feel at best overawing, at worst, alienating. She takes her role as entertainer so seriously she’s almost too good.” The New York Times writes, “there is a breathtaking elegance in her acute desire to entertain”. Renee Michelle Harris of the South Florida Times writes, Knowles “owns the stage with her trademark swagger and intensity… showcasing her powerful vocals without missing a note, often while engaged in vigorous, perfectly executed dance moves…no one, not Britney, not Ciara and not Rihanna can offer what she does—a complete package of voice, moves and presence.” This was echoed by Lorraine Schwartz of The Examiner, who wrote, “In less than a year, I’ve seen Madonna, Britney and Beyoncé… [Beyoncé] was by far the best of all three.”

Reviewers also praise her live vocal performances. In reviewing one of her performances, Jim Farber of The Daily News writes “Beyoncé showed off pipes of steely power. As the song’s signature horn riff pumped away, she soared over the melody with athletic ease. The way Beyoncé used her body intensified the sense of triumph. With her hair teased into Medusa-like tresses, a pelvis in perpetual churn and legs long enough to make Tina Turner proud, Beyoncé’s presence punctuated her singing like an exclamation point.” Stephanie Classen of the Star Phoenix declares “Beyonce is no ordinary performer… from note one, the 27-year-old powerhouse rose above all the gimmicks, mastering the show like a sexy alien overlord princess. Nothing but extraterrestrial origins could explain that voice….[Beyonce] could perform circles around any other pop star today.” Newsday writes, “she proves that hot choreography and strong vocals don’t have to be mutually exclusive… No worries of lip-synching here.”

Beyonce has also been criticized for her suggestive choreography. Her performance at the former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant’s tomb on July 4, 2003 was cited as lasciviously choreographed; Grant’s descendants in attendance had mixed reaction to it.

[Text from Wikipedia]