Photo by: Solaiman Fazel
There’s so much to love about Janet Jackson, from her airy vocals and smooth dance moves to her discography full of hits. So it’s no wonder the chanteuse has a devoted following, and lucky for fans she’s treating Vegas to a fantastic residency, returning this month on Feb. 5, 7-8, 12 and 14-15.
The set of shows that began just before the new year marks a return to the stage following her 2023 Together Again Tour, which was her first post-pandemic venture. (It’s also Jackson’s first time back in Las Vegas since her previous Metamorphosis residency, which took over Dolby Live at Park MGM in 2019.) The tour skipped over Vegas, but Jackson is surely making it up to Sin City crowds with her current run. The pop icon could stun with nothing more than a single spotlight and a microphone, but with the elaborate production capabilities of the Resorts World Theatre, she shines, and her music truly comes to life.
This isn’t just another concert—it’s an all-out spectacle. Talented dancers don fashionable garb while their crisp movements accent Jackson’s slightly softer yet still sharp dance moves. An array of set pieces and lighting equipment make for a dynamic backdrop, morphing seamlessly between maximalist, high-energy numbers and beautifully designed moments of simplicity. Plus, the singer created medleys of many of her most popular tunes, so you get to hear more than 40 of her hits. That’s right, 40!
Photo by: Solaiman Fazel
Expect to hear favorites like “Rock With U,” “Escapade” and “Miss You Much.” And of course, it simply wouldn’t be a Janet Jackson concert without “What Have You Done for Me Lately” (spoken word intro included, of course) and “Rhythm Nation.” Audiences will be much delighted by some exceptionally special treats like a version of “Velvet Rope” that Jackson hasn’t performed live since 1999 and “I Want You” in concert for the first time.
The show includes short interludes that allow Jackson time for costume changes, and each time the star reappears, it’s as if she’s stepping onto the stage for the first time. Each outfit is as glamorous and modern as the last, with chunky boots and formal wear being continuous themes. And each section of the show brings something unexpected. One moment Jackson sings atop a narrow pillar that elevates her above an array of blue laser-like light beams, the next she vocalizes bathed in a warm glow that slowly becomes obstructed by a floating sphere that later transforms into a giant disco ball. Oh, and you can bet the diva’s wind machines are working overtime, blowing her beautiful honey-blonde locks back in just the right ways.
If you happen to score tickets to her Feb. 8 show (and assuming Jackson’s impressively lengthy performance doesn’t wear you out on its own), cross the casino floor to find Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge for a special concert after-party featuring famed Janet Jackson impersonator and drag performer Coco Montrese from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Themed cocktails like the Escapade (made with peach Ciroc, Grand Marnier, lavender lemon syrup, pomegranate, blueberry and champagne) are buy-one-get-one for all concertgoers.
Resorts World Las Vegas. axs.com
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