Music
Here’s what everyone thinks of Janet Jackson’s Unbreakable tour so far
The first reviews for Janet Jackson’s Unbreakable tour are in.
Here’s everything we know about the show before it hits the UK in March and April 2016…
All about the hits
Although Janet open the show with new song, BURNITUP! (featuring Missy Elliott, no less), the setlist is geared heavily towards her greatest hits. In their recent review of the Unbreakable tour’s stop in LA, i-D said: “Not just a couple of bangers dotted here and there but basically every single song she’s ever released. … Just when you think she might be having a bit of breather she launches into When I Think Of You and the hit rollercoaster starts up again.”
The focus really is on the songs
We’ve come to expect big things for pop tours in today’s market. With the likes of Madonna, Katy Perry, McBusted and Britney Spears setting the bar for stage production over the last decade or more, pop stars have grown accustomed to taking the bigger is better approach to arena shows. Word has it though, Janet Jackson’s stage setup is understated and geared to support the songs first. “For the most part the Unbreakable tour keeps things low-key,” said i-D. “It has its moments — the little squirts of pyrotechnics during All For You, the plumes of smoke that engulf the stage for If, the screens full of projections for new song Shoulda Known Better — but overall the focus is very much kept on her back catalogue.”
Medleys rule here
What is a pop show without a good medley? Janet doesn’t disappoint in this department unsurprisingly. So Miss You Much, Alright and You Want This are fused together with brilliant results (get a taster in fan footage below), while ballads That’s The Way Love Goes is remixed with Together Again. Also at the LA show, Billboard said: “Tonight, career highlights are assembled into breathtaking medleys which fluctuate between genre (jack swing, electronica, rock, soul) and tempo. I say “breathtaking” because there are moments when it’s hard to inhale.”
The backing dancers are out in full force
Ah, there’s nothing like a stage full of synchronised body poppers to have you reaching for your metaphorical dancing shoes (unless you’ve come extra prepared). According to reviews, Janet is accompanied by a reinforced army of backing dancers for the Unbreakable tour and their efforts don’t go to waste. A trio of If, Scream and Rhythm Nation proves to be a particular wow moment.
Catch Janet Jackson at the following dates in 2016:
March
30 – Birmingham, Barclaycard Arena
21 – London, The O2
April
4 – Glasgow, The SSE Hydo
5 – Manchester Arena
Janet Jackson tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.co.uk.
Check out the Unbreakable tour setlist:
Intro
(Unbreakable Intro with Missy Elliott)
BURNITUP!
(with Missy Elliott video)
Nasty
Feedback
Miss You Much
Alright
You Want This
Control
What Have You Done for Me Lately
The Pleasure Principle
Escapade
When I Think of You
All for You
All Nite (Don’t Stop)
Love Will Never Do (Without You)
Intermission
After You Fall
Again
Come Back to Me
Let’s Wait Awhile
I Get Lonely
Any Time, Any Place
No Sleeep
Got ’til It’s Gone
That’s the Way Love Goes
Together Again
The Best Things in Life Are Free
(Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson cover)
Throb
Black Cat
If
Scream
(Michael Jackson cover)
Rhythm Nation
Shoulda Known Better
Unbreakable
