VoicesCarry said:

Damn you.

whatever inspires them to tour should be seen by the world- it's art

you guys don't visit many art galleries do ya??

ehuffnsd said:

No, they don't.... but this time the really kinda suck ass... well, not all of them, but that opening outfit and the sailor hat thing! And the hair... especially the hair!

VoicesCarry said:

Oh geez... that is childish... why are people not allowed to say that they don't feel the clothes?? You have to look at that shit for 2+ hours, so it would be nice if it doesn't hurt your eyes!

The last thing on my mind when I'm at Janet's (or any artist's) show is "I hope the clothes look good."

djgodeep2 said:

if you are going to do a show where the focus is the performace the clothes better look good.

Umm it's the hair that disturbs me the most

Evvy said:

nammie said:

Yeah, if at least the hair would look cool... I mean, the clothes are not all that great, so you try to avoid that and look at her face, but there you have to be careful, because the hair is also not that great.... It would be so much better if she would keep that mohawk shit only for the first couple of songs and then change to something different!

PatrickS77 said:

Um, where did I say you can't bitch about the clothes? I just think it's silly, and if you're allowed to whine about the clothing, I'm allowed to think it's stupid.

ehuffnsd said:

Ok, you worry about the clothing, I'll enjoy the performance.

I like everything about this concert except the price and where she performs

As much as I don't like the costumes, it is about the setlist, the show, the songs, the experience. The orgasmic section of 'Got til Its Gone' 'Thats the Way Love Goes' and 'I Get lonely.' (Oh yeah and call on me is in there).

VoicesCarry said:

The outfits in the pictures are horrible, but speaking of reviews:


Concert Review: Janet Jackson
Bottom Line: A spectacle with lots of hits but little heart
By Darryl Morden
Sep 18, 2008


Janet Jackson

Staples Center, Los Angeles (Wednesday, Sept. 17)

If you were a Janet Jackson fan at Staples Center on Wednesday who wanted synchronized robotic choreography with dancers, you got it, again and again.

If you wanted hits, there were plenty, albeit many of them in teasingly truncated versions.

But what you didn't get much of was a true connection from the heart.

The singer's Rock Witchu tour is her first in seven years, overloaded with blinding dazzle, pyrotechnics and gaudy style over substance. The myriad production numbers were reminiscent of a poor Vegas revue and emotionally distant, the band and backup singers bolstering her vocals hidden away, leaving one to wonder if some -- or most -- of it was prerecorded.

When Jackson ascended to stardom in the mid-'80s, she managed to balance the mechanized dance moves with a sense of empowerment in such hits as "Control," "What Have You Done for Me Lately" and the unity anthem "Rhythm Nation." But any possible messages were a mere afterthought during Wednesday night's show.

Yes, she played those hits and numerous others, wearing an array of outfits that ranged from science fiction tacky-wacky to a red princess-at-the ball evening gown for a tedious run of bland ballads.

Her finest moment came midway through the two-hour show with a joyous "Together Again." She smiled and bounced at the top of the U-shaped catwalk that reached the center of arena, and with the house lights partially up, the audience bounced along with her. She was equally playful for snippets of "Escapade" and "When I Think of You."

A short segment featuring her presuperstar days of R&B songs including "Young Love" and "Say You Do" seemed to liberate her from the trappings of the Big Show, which is ironic, since that was the material she once rebelled against.

Throughout the night she mixed in material from her latest album "Discipline," including the pandering title track, which came complete with S&M shtick as a fan was pulled up from the crowd for some friendly abuse.

But while the new songs may fit into today's pop landscape, they are far less commanding, like the sleazy grind of "So Much Betta," which was followed by the don't-even-think-about-it attitude of the old stamp, "Nasty."

Some passages were just dull or awkward, especially video duets with Q-Tip on "Got 'Til It's Gone" (sampling and invoking Joni Mitchell) and "Call on Me" with Nelly (sampling the S.O.S. Band).

Fantasy video vignettes, which pitted evil Janet over good Janet in a battle for the musical force, were pretentious claptrap, only serving to kill time between those many costume changes.

Going at it old school with just two DJs, opener LL Cool J got by though sheer force of personality, constantly relying on the usual wave your hands, shout-backs and calls for screams to work the crowd, finally summoning real power for "Mama Said Knock You Out."

Set list:

The Pleasure Principle
Control
What Have You Done for Me Lately
Feedback
You Want This
Alright
Miss You Much
Never Letchu Go
Come Back to Me
Let's Wait Awhile
Again
So Excited
So Much Betta
Nasty
All Nite (Don't Stop)
Rock With U
Together Again
Young Love
Say You Do
Don't Stand Another Chance
Doesn't Really Matter
Escapade
Love Will Never Do (Without You)
When I Think of You
All for You
Got 'Til It's Gone
Call on Me
That's the Way Love Goes
I Get Lonely
Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)
Any Time, Any Place

Encore:

Discipline
Black Cat
If
Rhythm Nation
Luv
Runaway

Janet looks great..she probably didn't get all the weight off like she usually does before a tour and wearing less revealing clothing to cover up her mid-drift and girdle. Baby girl still looks good though.

Honestly, I've been asking myself the same questions about these tour costumes this time around.....I don't get them and I think they are just plain bland. The mohawk is just ugh! and added with some of the costumes especially the red dress, it just looks tacky! Janet has had better costuming on tour before, I just don't know what happened here. I suppose as her body is'nt as tight as it used to be, the only option she has is baggy clothing and ill fitting stuff

Ifsixwuz9 said:

The worst you could do was one middling review? They didn't even get the encore correct Maybe I should post the Variety review.

Janet Jackson delights fans in return to concert stage
More than 30 hits are served up for her first tour in seven years.
By PETER LARSEN
The Orange County Register
Comments 0| Recommend 1

Put yourself in any of the nine pairs of shoes Janet Jackson wore at Staples Center on Wednesday: on tour for the first time in seven years, maybe there's just a sliver of doubt in your mind about how the fans will respond after all that time away.

So you create a concert they're going to love. Fill it with a set list that delivers all the biggest hits, hot choreography, flashy visuals, and fireworks.

Which lets you get to this moment: not quite halfway through the show, after singing "Together Again, you stand at the front of the stage for a few minutes, jumping up and down, arms raised, soaking in the moment.

It has to feel good. And when you give your fans what they want – 35 or so songs and more than 2 hours – you should feel the love, yes?

Jackson set an almost-frantic pace from the start, opening the show with "The Pleasure Principal," alone on stage. And then boom! From trapdoors beneath the ramps that thrust out into the crowd, forming a square, up and out popped nine dancers, all of them hip-hopping this way and that as "The Pleasure Principal" flowed into "Control," then "What Have You Done For Me Lately," and finally "Feedback," the single from her current album.

Eleven minutes, four songs, and off Jackson went, changing costumes from futuristic space traveler in gold to red-and-blue sailor girl, the first of nine outfits she'd wear on the night.

The fans seemed overjoyed, but truthfully, in the first few segments of the show, it almost felt like the pacing wasn't quite right. Though we don't begrudge Jackson for catching her a brace of ballads early on – even a fit 42-year-old needs to catch her breath a little after all that non-stop hip-hop action.

But coming out of the ballads and into a section of fast-paced dance numbers, the show locked into a groove that carried it most of night. "So Much Betta," a new song, led into "Nasty" -- which earned a huge response from the crowd. Two songs later, the "Together Again" moment arrived, and she had them in her hand the rest of the night.

At one point she told the crowd the sets for this tour reflect the songs her fans have told her they wanted to hear. And so you got tunes such as "Escapade" and "When I Think Of You," both of which elicited plenty of cheers.

But she also mixed it up with new songs from her "Discipline" CD, including the title track, which has to be one of the naughtiest things she's recorded with its bondage-and-discipline-I've-been-a-bad-girl story line.

That one came with the most over-the-top stage production, in which her bondage-clad dancers pulled some guy from the audience, strapped him into a cage-like-device, and then let Jackson have her, um, way with him. (When she kissed him and grabbed his crotch, we started to doubt that he was really just a "fan," but who knows? He did have a I-can't-believe-this-is-happening grin on his face for a moment.)

Jackson also varied the look of the show with a handful of video duets: "Got Till It's Gone" with Q-Tip on the screen (and Joni Mitchell sampled in the background), "Call On Me" with Nelly, and "Black Cat" with Dave Navarro on guitar, which helped make it the hardest-rocking song of the night.

By the main set wrapped up with a very crisp version of "Rhythm Nation" the almost-capacity crowd seemed well pleased, happy to be sent into the night after the short encore that followed.

One small complaint: the mix where we were sitting often overwhelming Jackson's vocals, making it hard to hear her words.

One small why'd-she-bother: a video storyline played between several songs pitted a Demon Witch Jackson versus a Good Alien Jackson in a battle for her music. And soul. We think. (It really didn't make a lot of sense.)

One note on opener LL Cool J: as much as you might admire the old-school me-and-mic-style of rap, the wave-your-hands-in-the-air, say yeah and scream bit gets old fast. Still, the likeable personality that helped make him a star is still there, and "Mama Said Knock You Out" was great to hear live.

Live: Janet Jackson at Staples Center

Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times

The performer connects with fans on her 'Rock Witchu' tour.
By Ann Powers, Times Pop Music Critic
September 19, 2008
Control is the ruling principle of Janet Jackson's career and, as far as the public knows, of her life.

Her 1986 breakthrough album bore the word as its title; 22 years later, her 10th studio release has the complementary name "Discipline." In concert, she's known less for powerful singing than for leading her dancers in sharp, demanding routines that leave little room for individual turns. And her hits often express contrasting forms of restraint: demure optimism in sunny songs such as "When I Think of You," and in more daring songs, the kind of role-playing sexuality linked to sadomasochism.

Sunniness and S and M both factor into the "Rock Witchu" tour, Jackson's first in seven years, which stopped by Staples Center on Wednesday. Still haunted by her single notorious out-of-control episode -- when her bra accidentally gave way to Justin Timberlake's tug at the 2004 Super Bowl halftime program -- Jackson has crafted a spectacle meant to help her finally recover from that incident and prove to those who say she's washed up that, at 42, she still deserves serious attention. Nine seamlessly executed costume changes are only the beginning. This show is all about dominance, and Jackson held the whip.

Given Jackson's fondness for lyrics invoking sex games, it was hardly shocking when she emerged in a black corset near evening's end, ready for a little bondage. She had her dancers pull up a male audience member and strap him into a harness; he was then suspended midair as Jackson teased him with a highly suggestive set of moves and the breathy soft-core porn of "Discipline's" title track.

The hapless guy seemed close to losing all composure, and his agonized ecstasy offered some frisson. Pleasure can be faked, however: A video://weblogs.variety.c...ksons.html taken on the tour's previous stop in Oakland documents another "victim" being pulled from the crowd and reacting almost identically. A plant perhaps?

Not that it matters. In Jackson's world, well-planned moves are just as valid as spontaneous outbursts. Surrounded by her "family" of nine dancers -- two redheaded white women who were this black diva's equivalent to Gwen Stefani's Asian Harajuku girls, one male acrobat who did stunts during costume changes and six more anonymous men -- Jackson often focused more on executing tough moves than on vocalizing. With only a drummer and two keyboardists acting as the band, Jackson often used a prerecorded soundtrack as support. All that canned music had a distancing effect.

The elaborate set also made it hard to focus on the charisma of the night's star. The action was scattered around a large area, including a bi-level stage, several other platforms, a square catwalk and a giant screen full of vaguely sci-fi images. Sometimes that screen showed clips meant to add up to a narrative, with Jackson starring as both good and bad witch commanding her dancers to seek out and destroy . . . Janet Jackson?

It was painfully unclear and the worst part of the show. Here's a plea to blockbuster stars: Stop creating silly fictional frameworks to justify your shows. You're good enough without the trappings.

The screen was better put to use hosting virtual guests, including rappers Q-Tip and Nelly, and guitarist Dave Navarro, who "played" some blistering riffs on Jackson's 1990 hit "Black Cat." (LL Cool J appeared in the flesh as the night's opener, delivering a confident, crowd-pleasing set). At other times, flashpots exploded and dancers did solos or pas de deux or even pounded on huge drums -- all taking the heat away from Jackson, apparently happy to be part of a team.

But then, Jackson's hits are team efforts too. Her deceptively gentle singing has real presence, but it's most effective when it's interwoven with the ear-catching effects provided by her producers. She flew through dozens of hits Wednesday, but the hooks still jumped out from each one. Jackson might be incapable of big, chest-thumping notes, but her less obtrusive style has a different kind of effect.

It's one her fans appreciate. Several times, Jackson walked alone down the catwalk, commanding the huge space alone -- not unlike Kanye West on his recent “Glow in the Dark” tour. But whereas West used his solo performance as a way of asserting superiority, Jackson used those moments to connect with fans.

Whether singing old favorites like "Say You Do" ("I was 15 years old, amazing!" she exclaimed about that song), playing the chanteuse in a red dress instead of her usual dance-friendly pants, or simply standing back and receiving adulation, Jackson earned fervid applause from her elated fans. Letting them cheer, she relinquished control for a minute and just smiled at the pandemonium.
[Edited 9/20/08 16:26pm]
[Edited 9/20/08 16:26pm]

VoicesCarry said:

I don't normally put much thought into what mega-pop stars wear onstage...but now that you've got me thinking about it I can recall seeing Prince in a gold lamé catsuit unzipped to his groin once:lol:...and although it was long ago and my memory is foggy, I'd put bets on a table that he was probably wearing a big ole gold medallion with it

I don't think anyone should complain about janet's "sailor" outfit when latoya had that terrible one 20 years ago.

alphastreet said:

latoya? who cares about her.

no one is complaining or whining about janets costumes. it's just an observation that they are a little wacky this time where her stage outfits normally look great. i don't think it takes away from the show and like someone said, when you're busy dancing and screaming you don't pay attention.

ermmmm...yeah it takes a lot of courage 2 wear those outfits and stand 4 them...still love her anyway...but someone here said it and it's totally right: she wouldn't look out of place in some 70's star trek episode

VoicesCarry said:

Sounds like the fakery is still in full effect. It's only if you know your audience is gullible that you'd even dream of carrying out these brazen stunts. You'd think after the Superbowl she'd cut back on this type of thing, but obviously not.

Wow, mr. knowitall at it again! These people, that get pulled up, are real fans... I know several of them!

PatrickS77 said:

I don't doubt there are some real fans that get pulled out, but it wouldn't surprise me if there were some plants used along the way too. The whole routine is played out anyway. These Jacksons.....

Everyone complained that they were tired of seeing Janet naked all the time, now she cover's up, and you still complain. On the real though, she should have left that space aged look to her brother Michael. Note to Janet: Bring back the heaving cleavage and the 6 pack abs. Either way, I got my ticket for October 16 at MSG.
[Edited 9/21/08 20:37pm]

VoicesCarry said:

This is the only review I've run across on-line. And I wasn't looking for it, it was posted on Yahoo or something and popped up. Don't get pissy with me I didn't write it.
[Edited 9/22/08 12:14pm]

Ottensen said:

Christ on a cracker, not another one of those Reynolds Wrap Festive Foil outfits. The electric blue one from the Rave era was quite enough.

I think I want Janet to give it up before she embarrasses herself any further She can't sing live, so all people really go to see her for is the dancing & to look @ her I guess. At least put on something that doesn't hurt people's eyes while they listen to your prerecorded track

She just can't get it right these days... & I liked a good portion of the last 2 albums!!

midnightmover said:

At one of the older shows I went to, I was surprised by the guy she pulled on stage really because not only had I seen him chatting it up with Rene like ole pals, he came from backstage before the arena was filled and then sat in what appeared to be a reserved front row area for most of the show.

midnightmover said:

maybe its played out to you but her FANS love that part of her shows, before the tour even started people were making up their own routines for the guy on stage part, and yes those are real fans not plants,the guy from san diego posts on her janet-zone site,the dude from the VR tour in ny was a teacher, after the show he called into all the radio stations talking about it.