By Alexander Allen
May 9, 2023 – New York, New York – Madison Square Garden – the second of two sold out shows on Janet Jackson’s “Together Again” tour. As an avid concert attendee, I love to see the first NYC show on tours. This show was supposed to be her first show, but due to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Janet’s second show on Wednesday, May 10th, was moved to Monday, May 8th, and now became her first show. I was disappointed to miss this show, as I was still in Nevada, enjoying Las Vegas, after the Lovers & Friends Festival that took place on Saturday, May 6th. What a busy and unprecedented concert season we’re in? Due to the pandemic, it seems as though everyone wants to hit the road. Taylor Swift, Janet Jackson, Beyonce, Pink, TLC, Drake, Madonna, Alicia Keys, etc., are all going to be on tour this season. A-MAZ-ING!!! Taylor Swift is celebrating all of her musical eras during the “Eras Tour.”
Madonna is celebrating her 40th anniversary in the industry with her “Celebration Tour.” I didn’t realize that Janet Jackson was celebrating her 50th anniversary in entertainment, until the opening of her tour. After a video montage, filled with iconic and memorable images, Janet appeared in a purple full-length cape, which covered her gold bodysuit with a purple bow around her waist and long sleek ponytail. This is the first tour of Janet’s that was mostly fashion based, which as a fashion professional, I can fully appreciate. Her previous tours were more costume based and it worked very well for her first three tours, the “Rhythm Nation World Tour,” the “Janet World Tour,” and “The Velvet Rope Tour.” In addition to, all of the Janet Jackson classics, also, for the first time, Janet has a DJ section where she performs several songs that she has never performed on tour. For this concert, she performed “What’s It Gonna Be?!,” a feature song that she is on with her special guest, Busta Rhymes. Can you believe after 25 years, this is the first time that they performed this song together? Wow! Afterwards, Busta gave Janet her flowers, literally and figuratively, for being a Queen, Mother’s Day, and her birthday. Before Janet hit the stage, her opening act, Ludacris, (see attached photo) got the crowd hyped with his high energy and rich catalogue. A great choice for Janet, (see attached photo) as she has typically chosen pop acts for her openers. This set the tone with a different energy in anticipation for Janet. It seems as though everyone is on board with celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop. Janet’s last couple of tours have been more scaled-down, production wise, but still great shows. As always, I’m glad that I was in attendance at Miss Jackson’s latest tour. I’m sure you will be as well. Check out JanetJackson.com for upcoming shows.
Janet was AMAZING!!! So glad I was able to attend.
Janet you rock.
Janet Jackson is a force of nature that can’t be slowed down!
She dances harder at 57 than in her 20’s.
When is Janet jackom have new cd come out