For more than 50 years, Janet Jackson has been a central figure in pop culture. She burst onto the scene as the youngest member of the Jackson clan during their time as an act in Las Vegas. On TV, Janet went on to play Penny in Good Times, and had roles in Different Strokes, and Fame. While acting may have been her introduction to the entertainment world, Janet would become a legend as a musical artist.
In her illustrious career, Janet has sold over 100 million records, won five Grammy Awards, eleven American Music Awards, an Academy Award nomination, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2019, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But what makes Janet a true icon is her live performances. When it comes to hitting the live stage, she is pure magic.
At the 5,000-seat Resorts World Theater in Las Vegas, the greatness of Janet Jackson was on full display. As soon as she arrived on stage, she held the captivated audience in the palm of her hands for the next two hours and it was everything one could imagine from the iconic performer.
The opening set included “Go Deep”, “Got Till It’s Gone”, and “That’s The Way Love Goes” which set the tone for the rest of the night.
In her second set, she reeled off even more hits such as “Escapade”. “All For You”, and “Miss You Much”, taking the audience down memory lane.
But the climax of the performance was the high energy of the third set. The choreography went up a few notches, the band was in a groove, and flawless blends of DJ Aktive. Janet performed “Nasty”, “Pleasure Principle”, “When I Think of You,” ‘Control”, and “Son of a Gun. When she went into “Rhythm Nation”, the crowd went into a frenzy.
The epic show also included lasers, fireworks, amazing designer costumes, impeccable choreography, and stunning visuals. Showcasing her enormous discography, Jackson performed songs, ranging from her number-one hits to deep album cuts, and B-side favorites that only her “Day One” fans would know. In total, Jackson performed segments of almost 50 songs.
Jackson’s performance not only offered a stunning visual but also an incredible sonic experience. The impeccable sound was provided by renowned French company L-Acoustics whose innovative L-ISA Hyperreal sound technology curated an immersive audio experience for those in attendance. Laurent Vaissié, Co-CEO of L-Acoustics, spoke about the company’s impact on audio technology and its commitment to providing Janet with residency.
“L-Acoustics is the leader in sound reinforcement for live shows. The goal of Janet Jackson’s performances was to reconnect the artistry with the audience through great sound,” Vaissié told HOT97.com.
Caram Costanzo, Janet’s sound engineer, spoke about how the venue and the sound system are the perfect combination for an unbelievable performance by Ms. Jackson.
“There’s not a bad seat here, because you’re getting the full spectrum of sound all the time,” Costanzo said. “It’s an incredible system. It’s the best in the world if you want that full-on immersive sound, this is the only option.”
At 58 years old, Jackson looks fabulous, sounds amazing, and has not missed a beat. She doesn’t lean on her celebrity friends and any gimmicks to make the show palatable. It’s just her and an immense catalog that spans more than four decades of music and it’s more than enough.
While she doesn’t give much commentary or share background about the creation of her songs during the concert, she lets her body of work as one of the greatest artists of all time do the talking.
It’s fitting that Jackson’s residency took place during Black History Month because she embodies Black excellence. She has used her voice to address racism, sexism, and classism but also continues to give the world the quintessential essence of what Black joy is. Without question, Janet Jackson is a one of one.
If you missed Janet this go-round, she’ll be back for the second wave of her residency on May 21, 24, 25, 28, 30 & 31, 2025.
Leave a Reply