By Darlene Donloe
Janet Jackson still got it!
The legendary pop star opened the Hollywood Bowl season on June 10 with her Together Again 34-city, nationwide tour, proving after 37 years in the business, she still has skin in the music game.
DJ Infamous Talk2Me had the place in full party mode kicking off the night with classic Old Skool hits from Aretha Franklin to The Jackson Five, The Spinners, and Prince.
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| Ludacris |
Rap icon Ludacris opened the show with a high-energy performance that set the mood and kept the sold-out crowd on its feet.
The personable rapper, who recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, led the audience on a journey through his hits dating back to 2000 with his first album, “Incognegro.”
Ludacris told the audience, “I go by the name of Ludacris and I just want to say, humbly speaking, I was born to be on this stage.”
He also wondered openly, on several occasions if the crowd was really full of “day one Luda fans.” Turns out, it was!
He then went on to prove it with songs like What’s Your Fantasy, Pimpin’ All Over the World, and Stand Up. For Stand Up he donned some gigantic white sneakers – to which he said, “Don’t act like y’all didn’t see these big-ass shoes.”
His 45-minute set, accompanied by DJ Infamous Talk 2 Me, also included hits like Southern Fried Intro, Welcome to ATL, Act A Fool, Southern Hospitality, Area Codes, Glamorous, All I Do Is Win and Get Back.
Ludacris, who told the crowd several times that he appreciated their support, was so entertaining, he left them wanting more.
When he first took the stage, Luda, whose real name is Chris Bridges, told the crowd he was going to “give you the show of a lifetime celebrating 23 years of platinum hits.” He delivered!
Just before Jackson arrived on stage, large monitors showed a montage of her career, which includes five Grammy Awards, 11 Billboard Music Awards, and nine MTV Video Music Awards. It was remarkable to see just how far she has come.
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| courtesy photo |
She then started her two-hour performance with “Damita Jo,” the title track to her 2004 CD.
Flanked by four male dancers, Jackson went on to mesmerize and hypnotize the audience with her every move and every one of the 40-song set.
She doesn’t do as much dance choreography as she used to in her concerts, but there was plenty for the crowd to scream and holla about – as Jackson proved she still has her patented moves. Let’s face it, people love to see Jackson dance. She did that!
Jackson’s show is a reminder of just how good her music is and how loyal her fans are – evidenced by them standing throughout most of the concert – and singing every song – word for word!
During the first part of the concert, Jackson’s set included songs from her 2008 CD, “Discipline.” Songs included Feedback, So Much Betta, If, No Sleep, Got ‘til It’s Gone, That’s the Way Love Goes, and Enjoy.
For the second part of the concert, which was full of “Control,” Jackson made a costume change swapping the jumpsuit for a black and white sweater and black pants.
Jackson launched into her 80’s repertoire with What Have You Done For Me Lately, When I Think of You, and Nasty. She took a seat to sing the slow and sexy ballad, Let’s Wait Awhile.
About 16 members of the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA), conducted by Thomas Wilkins, entertained the crowd with an impressive rendition of Jackson’s hit, “Again,” as she sang along. YOLA is the LA Philharmonic’s music education program currently serving about 1,700 musicians across five sites.
During the second act, the musicians, who had been unseen, upstage in the dark, were finally revealed. Some fans surmised it was to prove Jackson was not singing to a prerecorded track throughout the show.
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| courtesy photo |
After asking What Have You Done For Me Lately, things got Nasty to the delight of her fans. She didn’t disappoint with The Pleasure Principle, When I Think of You, The Best Things In Life Are Free, Control, Together Again. She slowed it down with Again, Any Time-Any Place.
Jackson got emotional singing Again from the movie, Poetic Justice. She turned the mic to the audience to have them help her sing the sentimental ballad.
For years during her shows – one of Jackson’s highlights has been putting a man from the audience in a chair and teasing him sexually. This time around, on the song, I Get Lonely, she used one of four shirtless male dancers. Although she didn’t climb all over the male specimen as she did in past tours, it was still incredibly sexy – leading the audience to squeal.
After everyone calmed down, Jackson, who confidently strutted around the stage smiling at fans, continued to go deep in her archives to pull out fan favorites.
For the crowd-pleasing third act, she kept the party going with dance music like Doesn’t Really Matter, All For You, Come On Get Up, Girlfriend/Boyfriend, Do It 2 Me and So Excited.
For the last act of the roof-raising show, which was a bonafide blast, Jackson donned a Rhythm Nation t-shirt and jeans. She then let it rip with The Knowledge, Miss You Much, Love Will Never Do (Without You), the infectious Alright, and Escapade.
A touching moment came when the 1995 video Scream, starring Jackson and her brother Michael Jackson, hit the big screens. It was a fabulous way to pay homage to her brother, who died on June 25, 2009.
There was no way Jackson could have made it out of the Bowl if she hadn’t sung 1989’s Rhythm Nation. It was a huge crowd-pleaser.
Her fireworks encore, of course, was Together Again, a song about unity. It was the third time the song had been heard throughout the night.
Janet Jackson is one of music’s biggest stars and a fan favorite because she gives the audience what they want.
She gave them that and more during opening night at the Bowl.
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