Janet Jackson launches three-date stint at Gibson Amphitheatre with no frills, hits-heavy set
Janet Jackson hadn’t surfaced on-stage and the house lights had yet to fall over the Gibson Amphitheatre on Thursday night when pandemonium erupted in the audience.
Flanked by a bevy of bodyguards, Jackson’s mother, Katherine, and older brothers Jermaine and Randy strolled to their seats as a cheering audience set off a continuous stream of flashes from cameras and cellphones and started to swarm the famous family.
A closeby row began chanting “Michael! Michael! Michael!” with as many fans dressed in T-shirts emblazoned with the family’s departed king as they were in Janet branded tops.
For a family that’s had every tragedy and triumph documented in front of the public eye, it wasn’t surprising that family members would show up to support Janet on the first of three sold-out dates in Los Angeles on her "Number Ones: Up Close and Personal Tour" –- but the sighting (just one of a long string of celebs who dotted the audience, including cast members from her last films, “For Colored Girls” and “Why Did I Get Married,” and producer Babyface) was too much for fans as one girl within earshot squealed, “I can’t believe they are seating with us.”
With security forced to intervene and direct gawkers to their seats, Jackson emerged onstage in a white tank, jeans and military boots –- but not before playing two of her hits in tribute to the audience (fans from each city on the stint had the opportunity to vote on the selections).
While today’s pop landscape of over-the-top divas like Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Britney Spears have become known for glitzy productions, it took less than a second to realize Jackson hadn’t set out to deliver a flashy spectacle.
Jackson, who was touring as a treat to her fans with material exclusively chosen from her double-disc “Number Ones” compilation (she hasn’t released an album in more than three years), ditched the glossy arena pomp – she has plenty of record-breaking treks under her belt –- for the more intimate Gibson Amphitheatre.
The 44-year-old provided a no-frills show that was light on costume changes (only three), void of flashy pyrotechnics and eye-popping scenery –- all the things associated with the Jackson brand. The show was, however, heavy on hits.
She placed the focus of her set squarely on showcasing her voice -– it should be noted that she sang live for the nearly two-hour show, a rarity in today’s pop music -- and the legendary complex footwork that marked her and brother Michael as pop royalty.
From smashes such as “Control,” “Scream,” “Escapade,” “All For You” and “Together Again” to more obscure hits "The Best Things in Life Are Free” and “Diamonds,” Jackson managed to offer nearly 30 of her 35 No. 1 singles to an audience who remained seated only during three video montages, one of which featured a reel of some of her acting roles.
In her first tour since her brother Michael’s 2009 death, MJ’s presence was felt, whether it was adding moves he perfected or paying tribute to him in pictures during “Together Again” –- where she became emotional and stopped singing, instead extending her hands up above as the crowd sang the words and watched a slide show of childhood pictures of the two. (Her family left prior to the tribute.)
Fans have been clamoring for Jackson to return to the stage after her brief 2008 "Rock Witchu Tour" was marred with hiccups including cancellations.
After tickets to Thursday’s show sold out in less than 10 minutes when they went on sale in January, Jackson added an additional performance for Friday -- which quickly sold out, as well. Jackson and Live Nation then added another show set for Saturday.
The 35-city tour (one for each of her 35 No. 1 hits) has also sold out multiple nights in New York, Toronto, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Atlantic City, N.J., as well as single nights in Atlanta and Santa Barbara.
For the trek, Jackson called on her fans to vote for the cities that would constitute the itinerary, and due to the overwhelming tickets sales -– a welcome problem for a veteran act like Jackson –- the tour was recently extended to include additional cities.
The next North American leg of the tour is being planned for the fall, after Jackson's upcoming run of spring and summer dates in Europe.
Set list from night one of Los Angeles stint:
The Pleasure Principle / Control / What Have You Done for Me Lately? / Feedback / You Want This / Alright / Miss You Much / Nasty / Nothing / Come Back to Me / Let’s Wait Awhile / Again / Escapade / Love Will Never Do (Without You) / When I Think of You / That’s the Way Love Goes / I Get So Lonely / Black Cat / If / Scream / Rhythm Nation
Encore: Diamonds / The Best Things in Life Are Free / Throb / Make Me / Together Again
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Comments (8)Ummm, what concert were you at? She did not wear that outfit. The rest of the information was spot on but the picture was not from the LA show.
Posted by: B | April 15, 2011 at 12:02 PM
An 8:15 showtime and she goes on after 9:30 with NO opening act!? It was annoying, so was the viewing of two full music videos just before she took the stage. Complete with the smooth-jazz they were playing, I was close to poking my eyes out! Did I eventually havefun? Yes. She gave nothing but the hits. I wish there were longer versions of somesongs but what can you do... Her video clip segment was a missed opportunity to make a fun, comical, touching and entertaining sizzle reel but instead was 90 second clips of two TV acting spots and two film roles. While her vault of footage can't rival Cher's, Janet could take a note from her on how to create a great video reel.
Posted by: Jerome | April 15, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Janet was fantastic last night! And damn, she looks incredible. I really enjoyed the scaled down approach. Janet had that place rockin'.
Posted by: Micah | April 15, 2011 at 02:06 PM
Janet's performance last night was incredible. As noted, she did not need any of the frills of an overproduced show, but instead dazzled the audience with her live singing, dance moves and touching tribute to her brother Michael. Definitely a great show, but I only wish I purchased tickets for another day so I could see her light up the stage again. Thanks for the great music Janet.
Posted by: Erica | April 15, 2011 at 02:44 PM
So what if we all had to wait til 9:30 (This ain't a meeting at work_calm down) with no opening act..it's JANET JACKSON!!! Worth the wait and trust me she don't need an opening act. As for the "video reel" I am glad it was only 90 second clips cause that gave us another song for her to sing and I thought it was all around very entertaining. I ain't there to judge on segment videos from other iconic divas, I am there to see Janet..period. You are right B, she was not dressed in that outfit in this article. She looked amazing in ALL 3 outfits!! She hit every note on each song and performed the dances perfectly. This is a concert I will never forget.
Posted by: JEN_31 | April 15, 2011 at 02:49 PM
I went to the show last night and it was so wonderful to hear a pop icon play almost every hit they have ever done. It didn't need costume changes, the voice and the moves is what we all come for!
How come LA Times could not produce a picture from the LA show? A little disappointing, but I love that the set list was included in the article.Posted by: NMG | April 15, 2011 at 04:05 PM
Janet was rockin the Gibson last night! I have attended Rhythm Nation, Janet, All For You and Rock Withcu Tours and this was by far a phenomenal performance. I enjoyed the simplicity of the show as well as the tribute to Michael. I wish I could have seen again the chair scene from "Miss You Much" and I wish she would have done the dance routine in "Scream" with Michael in the background like she did at the MTV AWARDS 2009. Like always I danced the night away and had an enjoyable evening!!!! Definitely A Night To Remember!
Posted by: Lisa | April 15, 2011 at 04:35 PM
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