FLAMES, fireworks and flashing lights wowed crowds at the biggest show Sunderland’s Stadium of Light has ever seen.

More than 50,000 people turned out to watch Beyoncé’s imperious performance, which featured music from her latest album Lemonade as well as some old favourites.

The show was the first night of the megastar’s European leg of her Formation tour.

It took more than a week to assemble the stage with more than 100 trucks worth of equipment and it had spectacular results.

Following heavy rain earlier in the evening crew had to mop the stage several times before the performance, while fans donned plastic ponchos and hid under umbrellas to hide from the deluge.

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But the wet weather did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the sell-out crowd, which met the star with rapturous cheers and applause, despite a 45-minute delay in her arriving on stage.

As well as eye-catching special effects, trapeze artists and a wall of flashing lights, the audience enjoyed shots of her stunning visual album, released on HBO in April.

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Beyonce performs during the Formation World Tour at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Photo: Daniela Vesco/Parkwood Entertainment

Her most political album to date, the crowd went wild for her new material and typically powerful dance routines.

After the show, Sunderland AFC’s commercial director Gary Hutchinson, said: “I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has played their part in making this spectacular show happen.

"There is a huge amount of planning and preparation that goes into delivering successful concerts, both from club staff, who have worked tirelessly in recent weeks, and our external partners and agencies, such as Sunderland City Council and Northumbria Police, without whom we could not stage the shows.

“To host the opening night of such a high profile tour is a clear demonstration of how the Stadium of Light is a major player on the concert circuit.

"Add to this the England game we recently hosted here and you can see that, through hard work, effective partnerships and innovative thinking, we have built a first-class reputation for delivering successful major events in a leading venue.”

The club's head of safety, Paul Weir added: “Concerts present us with a different dynamic to football, but through effective partnerships working with our safety advisory group, we managed a safe and successful event.” 

Sunderland City Council Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Wellness and Culture, Councillor John Kelly said: “I hope everyone enjoyed what was a fantastic concert, showcasing not only Beyoncé’s amazing talent but Sunderland and the Stadium of Light as one of the best live music venues in the world.

“Staging such an event requires months of hard work and planning, and the proven ability of our city to meet the transport, accommodation and pre-event needs of the tens of thousands of visitors who attend.”

The show was the 19th concert to be staged at the Stadium of Light and the largest stage production to date.

The home of Sunderland AFC hosted its first ever concert in 2009, when Take That graced the Wearside stage.

Since then, international artists including Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Coldplay and Bon Jovi, have helped to boost the North-East economy by an estimated £65m through the live shows.