Jay-Z and Beyoncé slay Soldier Field, plus Chance The Rapper, Vic Mensa guest during DJ Khaled

Photo provided by Live Nation

Once is never enough to catch two of the most gigantic musical stars on the planet performing together and separately on the same stage, which is why it was only a matter of time before Jay-Z and Beyoncé mounted the “On The Run II” Tour four years after the first round. In between, Bey dropped her sometimes sweet, frequently sticky, always soul-bearing “Lemonade,” while an older, wiser, contrite and current events-minded Shawn Carter delivered “4:44” prior to the married couple appearing to have patched up all their problems by the release of The Carters’ “Everything Is Love” at the start of summer.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé may be growing older together, but their ongoing exuberance as entertainers and renewed passion as a couple ensures they’ll keep slaying on each step of every irresistible run.

With so much history between them and individually, there was no way Jay or Bey could’ve addressed every era of their lucrative careers, and even with 40-something tunes on the set list, there wasn’t room for “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem),” “Empire State Of Mind,” more than a barely noticeable moment of “Irreplaceable,” “Single Ladies (Put A Ring In It)” or even a snippet of anything from Destiny’s Child. Nonetheless, those who sold out Solider Field to kick off a two-night stand (continuing Saturday, August 11) went absolutely “APES***” the entire time thanks to unparalleled showmanship that found them working all levels of the mega-main stage, double runaways and elevated platforms that frequently gave those in the stands a closer glimpse.

Carter was equally effective on both carefree throwbacks such as “99 Problems,” “N***** In Paris” and “Public Service Announcement” as he was the vulnerable “Song Cry” or the racial commentary “The Story Of O.J.,” always justifying a seat atop hip-hop’s throne. Queen Bey soared to the heavens as a singer and danced through a series of runway-worthy fashions as she oozed empowerment throughout “Diva,” “Flawless,” “Formation” and “Run The World (Girls),” alongside the unvarnished “Resentment,” complete with the lines “she ain’t even half of me” taking on a gut-wrenching life of their own in light of the pair’s previous personal trials.

Yet it was the collaborations that usurped them all, from the opening notes of “Holy Grail” through the romantic “Drunk In Love,” the analytical “BLACKEFFECT,” the euphoric “Crazy In Love” and the chilling “Young Forever.” Jay-Z and Beyoncé may be growing older together, but their ongoing exuberance as entertainers and renewed passion as a couple ensures they’ll keep slaying on each step of every irresistible run.

Hokey hype man DJ Khaled got the evening’s juices flowing, but was instantaneously leap-frogged by special guest (and Chicagoan) Vic Mensa, followed by fellow native Chance The Rapper for several tracks. Like Jay-Z and Beyoncé, that latter artist/activist possesses tremendous star power, songwriting skills and cross-generational appeal that will soon have him commanding stadiums this size all by himself.

For additional information on Jay-Z and Beyoncé, visit LifeAndTimes.com and Beyonce.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation shows, visit LiveNation.com.

For a list of upcoming shows at Soldier Field, visit SoldierField.net.