At which 2013 event did Beyoncé perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” playback?

Beyoncé performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2013 presidential inauguration of Barack Obama. She sang during the public ceremony held on January 21, 2013, in Washington, D.C., marking Obama's second inauguration as president of the United States.

After the ceremony, reports revealed that Beyoncé had used a prerecorded vocal track rather than singing entirely live. The United States Marine Band later confirmed that it had not performed live with her during the anthem. Beyoncé subsequently addressed the controversy at a 2013 press conference before her Super Bowl halftime performance, where she sang live to demonstrate her ability.

The inauguration performance is often confused with Beyoncé's 2013 Super Bowl XLVII halftime show because both happened within weeks of each other. The halftime show featured songs from her solo catalog and a Destiny's Child reunion, while the inauguration centered on the national anthem.

The event remains notable because it combined a major civic ceremony with one of the most visible public performances of Beyoncé's career.