I first became a fan of Janet Jackson’s music in the late ‘80s, when I’d begun DJing, and she’d begun working with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (of whom I was familiar as members of The Time, due to my being a huge fan of all things relating to Prince).  Later, when the “Rhythm Nation” single was released, it was the sample of my favorite musical mondegreen, Sly and the Family Stone’s “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” that really made me take notice of the depth and breadth of their production for her.  I’ve seen Jackson perform on multiple occasions—most recently in the Mandalay Bay Events Center, on the Las Vegas stop on her State of the World Tour (2017), and then in the Park Theater at Park MGM for the first leg of her Janet Jackson: Metamorphosis residency (2019), which I attended as part of the 21st annual Tiger Jam charity weekend.  I also met her once, on the rooftop of PURE Nightclub during a private reception following a pre-party she’d hosted for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation’s 10th Annual Grand Slam for Children (2005).

Fast forward to this year.  There I was, standing in front of my seat in the Resorts World Theatre, bopping along betwixt two groups of diehard “JanFans” during the second hour of Janet Jackson: Las Vegas—the five-time GRAMMY Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee’s comprehensive residency show à la AEG Presents Las Vegas at Resorts World Las Vegas—when, as I leaned forward to return my drink to the conveniently-placed cupholder, Jackson moved right in front of our section, grinning, winking, and shimmying up a storm.  Dressed in a fierce, sequined, bright blue-and-black tartan bolero and matching cigarette pants paired with a shiny black bustier (all designed exclusively for Jackson by her good friend, Thom Browne), and displaying the dance moves for which she’s so well known, Jackson was the very embodiment of pizzazz.

You remember pizzazz, don’t you?  The expression, popularized by none other than Diana Vreeland back in the late 1930s (during her time at Harper’s Bazaar), referring to that otherwise indescribable quality of someone (or something) possessing excitement, glamour, vitality, and charisma.  Well, Jackson and her band, dancers, etc., shower the audience with that pizzazz, and it’s just a pleasure to witness live.  [Forget the Palmolive, Madge: Janet’s got us soaking in pizzazz!!]

At just over two hours long and featuring 43 songs over four acts and a finale, Janet Jackson: Las Vegas is for casual fans and diehards alike.  I was a bit worried that—since my familiarity with Jackson’s oeuvre comprises mainly her albums Control, Rhythm Nation, and Janet—there would be a bunch of songs that held no meaning for me.  Yet, it was a party from start to finish because (a) the incredible energy in the room was palpable, and (b) the production design was so incredible that even if I didn’t know a song, I didn’t much care.

As mentioned earlier, Jackson’s wardrobe was designed exclusively for her by Thom Browne (with shoes by Christian Louboutin).  But Browne didn’t stop with Jackson’s wardrobe, nor with that of her dancers (who were excellent), but also dressed her band, the camera crew, and even the roadie who swept the stage between acts (!) as evidenced by the fact that the band, crew, etc. were dressed like latter-day versions AC/DC’s Angus Young with Browne’s signature 4-Bar stripes on the left sleeves of their cardigans and the tops of their left socks.

And as incredible as all of the sets and pyrotechnics and wardrobe and hairography are (and they’re amazing), at the end of the night, it’s all about Janet, and that’s alright with me.  Just remember: Her “first name ain’t ‘Baby.’  It’s ‘Janet’ (‘Miss Jackson’ if you’re nasty).” 

The setlist from Leg 1 of Janet Jackson: Las Vegas, in the Resorts World Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas, was as follows:

Intro:  Put Your Drink Down by Mr. V / Jus Dance by Mr. V (SOLE Channel Mix)

1. Night
2. 2nite
3. Slolove
4. Rock With U
5. Throb
6. All Nite (Don’t Stop)
7. Go Deep
8. Got ‘Til It’s Gone
9. That’s the Way Love Goes
10. Love Will Never Do (Without You)
11. Twenty Foreplay [First time performed since 2017]
12. I Want You [First time performed since 2004]

Interlude:  Promise of You / After You Fall / Twisted Elegance

13. Velvet Rope [First time performed since 1999]
14. All for You
15. Alright
16. Escapade
17. Miss You Much
18. So Excited (So So Def Remix featuring Fatman Scoop)
19. Feedback
20. Truth
21. Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun)
22. Come Back to Me
23. Let’s Wait Awhile
24. I Get Lonely
25. With U

Interlude:  Dream Maker / Euphoria

26. What Have You Done for Me Lately
27. Nasty
28. The Pleasure Principle
29. You Want This
30. When I Think of You
31. Young Love [First time performed since 2010]
32. Control
33. Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)

Interlude:  Lessons Learned

34. Trust a Try
35. The Knowledge
36. If
37. You
38. Scream [Michael Jackson cover; contains elements of ‘If’ and ‘Black Cat’]
39. Black Cat
40. Rhythm Nation

Interlude:  Black Eagle

41. Broken Hearts Heal [Live debut]
42. Together Again
43. Better Days

Janet Jackson: Las Vegas
Resorts World Theatre | Resorts World Las Vegas
May 21, 24, 25, 28, 30, 31 | 8:30PM
Click HERE for info and tickets

Get into it!
#JJLV