LOS ANGELES – Music star Beyonce announced her first new tour in nearly seven years on Wednesday, in which she will take her latest album Renaissance on the road around Europe and North America.

The Renaissance World Tour will kick off in Stockholm on May 10, travelling across the continent until the end of June.

It will then resume in Toronto in July before wrapping in New Orleans in September.

The concerts mark the 41-year-old singer’s “first solo tour in over six years”, according to a statement from producer Live Nation.

The announcement four days ahead of the 65th Grammys – where Beyonce is the most nominated artiste with nine nods – has ignited hope among fans that Queen Bey could make an appearance at the show in Los Angeles on Sunday.

According to Variety, there is speculation she may even perform at the ceremony – possibly alongside her husband and fellow superstar Jay-Z, who the entertainment magazine reports will take the stage with rapper and producer DJ Khaled.

Sunday’s ceremony could come down to a matchup between Beyonce and British pop diva Adele, who has been nominated for seven awards.

The release in July 2022 of pulsating club track collection Renaissance, Beyonce’s seventh solo album, was considered by many to be the biggest music industry event of 2022, further solidifying her spot as the uncontested queen of the dance floor.

According to the announcement, the artiste’s charitable organisation BeyGood will support small businesses, scholarship funds and local community initiatives in cities throughout the tour.

Tickets for North American shows are set to go on sale from Monday, via Ticketmaster. REUTERS, AFP