From Destiny’s Child to Sasha Fierce, Jade Wright talks to an all grown-up Beyonce Knowles

BEYONCÉ Knowles stole the show with her performance at the MTV Awards at Liverpool’s ECHO arena. And since then the Destiny’s Child diva has performed at the Inauguration of Barack Obama and at The Oscars.

Now she’s somehow found time to put together one of the most spectacular shows of the year, and she’s bringing it back to Liverpool next month.

You want flying? She flies. You want bumping and grinding? She bumps and grinds better than the best. You want sheer, jaw-dropping vocal ability? Well just come and prepare to be dazzled.

“It’s a huge production and I’m very proud of the show,” grins Beyonce, now a ripe old 27. “I think this show is a lot more theatrical and a lot more emotional, because of the album I Am… and because of the collaboration with the designer, Thierry Mugler. It’s really, really interesting and something that is different from what we’ve done.”

For her last tour, Beyonce came down from the ceiling dangling by her ankle. How do you follow something like that?

“I know it’s very hard,” she laughs. “I was upset with myself because after two months of being upside down, I couldn’t eat three hours before the show and now I’ve got other things that I’ll be angry with myself for doing because of course I try to outdo myself every time. No pain no gain.

“All the heels and everything’s a bit painful. I always have to get a bit bruised up, that’s how I know I’ve done a good show.”

The album is like Sasha versus Beyonce, and it’s obvious in the show.

“The truth is the title of the album says it all,” she explains. “I Am Sasha Fierce, that alter ego has always come out when I’m on stage but I do reveal more of myself actually. And I do kind of play on Sasha Fierce a little bit when I perform.

“It’s the same way it’s always been, my alter ego is always there.”

But Beyonce says she saves the best for last with the live show.

“It’s really quiet and I don’t really have to do anything but sing and perform and it’s just my mic and I love that.

“It’s a time when people really get to know me and I don’t have to worry about forgetting choreography or falling down stairs. (In the first half) I’m always crossing my fingers, hoping that the blackout goes out so I can change and they won’t see me.

“When you write these songs with lyrics that are a bit more deep, performing and interpreting your music to allow audiences to get to know you is the highlight we work for. So those songs are the ones that I can’t wait for, when I look out to the audience to see some of them crying and the couples all cuddled together. It’s just more emotional.

“I love Sasha Fierce doing all the up-tempo stuff too, but that’s my favourite.”

Beyonce says that working with her band is almost like working with family. She should know – almost all her family is involved in her career at some level.

Born in Houston, Texas, she’s the daughter of Mathew Knowles, a successful record manager, and Tina Beyince, a costume designer and hair stylist, so music was in her blood.

“You know... I’m fortunate to have my family,” she smiles.

Indeed she is. Her dad quit his job when she was 14 to manage her then band Girl’s Tyme, and dedicated his time and established a “boot camp” for their training. The move reduced Knowles' family's income by half and her parents separated because of the pressure.

Mum Tina contributed to the cause by designing their costumes. She still has a hand in Beyonce’s costumes now.

Her family often join the entourage on tour, so expect to see plenty of the Knowles clan in Liverpool over the weekend.

“You have to imagine, in these foreign places for all of this time it gets really lonely and when I see my family it doesn’t seem like I’m away because they are my home,” she grins.”

And we should expect to see as many people doing the routines in the crowd as on the stage, thanks to her fans copying the YouTube videos.

“It’s true,” she laughs. “You can’t fake choreography so I have to be tight, which is why I started with the choreography first and then I started with the band.

“It’s an all-female band once again. It’s actually the same band I had on my last tour, The Beyonce Experience.

“I worked really hard finding these ladies and they’re so talented and I think they just bring the show to a whole other level. First of all it’s live and the way they play the songs it all sounds so much more raw and the way the drums sound it gives soul to that album.

“And also a little rock and roll feel because the girls are from different places and listen to different types of music so it’s a refreshing take on all of my songs.”

Surely that must be a nightmare backstage, all those women together, vying for space in the mirror.

“It’s actually the easiest band I’ve ever worked with,” says Beyoncé. “I had an amazing male band and I worked with them for years, since Destiny’s Child first came out. I loved them and I always will but these girls are easier to work with.”

If you listen carefully before the show, you might just be able to hear the girls getting ready, dancing to their favourite tunes.

“I love the song Sex On Fire, it’s hot. Who sings that? (she starts to sing). Kings Of Leon, that’s hot. I like Lady Gaga, I like her fashion. It works for her, she’s not afraid to take a risk. I like that. It keeps it interesting. More people should do that.”

Beyonce plays the ECHO Arena Liverpool tomorrow night, supported by Shontelle. See www.accliverpool.com or call 0844 8000 400 for details.