A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson – Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour…
“I just want my music and dance to catch the audience’s attention, and to hold it long enough for them to listen to the lyrics and what we’re saying.” Janet Jackson
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
On August 6, at the PNC Bank Arts Center, an amphitheatre in Holmdel, NJ, the multi talented, award winning superstar artist, Janet Jackson, took us on a riveting dance and music extravaganza that had us singing and dancing along for almost 2 hours of heart pumping, hip swinging entertainment. Janet, inspiring, exciting, and supremely focused on her craft, performed at least 30 of her 34 number 1 hits in an aptly named tour – Number Ones: Up Close and Personal.
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
The Set List starts below… We were up close and personal alright, and Janet held us captive with her mastery of the stage, and her ability to make each person feel like a particular song, eye contact or hand gesture was meant for them. She sang, danced, strutted, talked, laughed, teased and showed us that special brand of Jackson magic, musical genius and experience…
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson – Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour…
Set List
“The Pleasure Principle”
“Control”
“What Have You Done for Me Lately”
“Feedback”
“You Want This”
“Alright”
On this tour, Janet Jackson dedicated a specific song, for each city and venue, to the legions of fans attending the shows scheduled for 35+ cities. The songs are nominated by fans on her website and “Feedback” was the dedicated song for Holmdel, NJ. It was the perfect song because she delivered on all counts and the feedback in that open air theater was a resounding thumps up. She sang beautifully, her choreography was on point and there was nary a dull moment; that lady has enough energy for a battalion and she gave us plenty to remember. The pictures I’ve added tell it all… and I had a blast! Come back later for more photos from the concert. TY! 🙂
“We are like violins. We can be used as doorstops, or we can make music.” Barbara Sher
Set List
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
“Miss You Much”
“Nasty”
“Nothing”
“Come Back to Me”
“Let’s Wait Awhile”
“Again”
“Janet’s Image” Video Interlude with a medley from “Rope Burn”, “Any Time, Any Place“, “Got ‘Til It’s Gone”, “Go Deep” and “What’s It Gonna Be?”
The concert started on schedule at 9:00pm and was split into four segments; not in any particular chronology but more about the music and dance routines that fit the spirit of a segment; very powerful, somewhat romantic, hugely energetic and decidedly diva dramatic… There was a video interlude after the second or perhaps third segment, showcasing numerous pictures and scenes from her life, some including Michael, and the pictures served as backdrops to the concert stage at certain points in the concert . What tied all the segments together were the choreographed dance routines, and the engaging acts in one, mini-musicals that dotted the concert. I have added some of the beautiful leg work throughout the post for your enjoyment.
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
Set List
“Doesn’t Really Matter”
“Escapade”
“Love Will Never Do (Without You)”
“When I Think of You”
“All for You”
“All Nite (Don’t Stop)”
Unlike the Radio City show in which she changed outfits for each segment, from Cool Street to Sexy and back to athletic street, Janet wore black denims, a black t-shirt, and lace up worker boots. She added a white jacket at the beginning of the show, took it off for the second segment, wore her kick-ass black buckled and studded jacket for the hugely energetic third segment, and then reverted to the jeans and t-shirt for the finale. I loved it because the pared down wardrobe made for a fun, relaxing, yet fiercely entertaining show.
“Thanks for giving me your feedback and asking me to come to Holmdel. Can’t wait to see you there.” Janet Jackson
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
Set List
“That’s the Way Love Goes”
“I Get Lonely”
“Black Cat”
“If”
“Scream”
“Rhythm Nation”
Another thing that made this an awesome concert is that Janet also had a pre-concert welcome for some attendees who were able to see memorabilia from her previous concerts, and bid on auction items as a way to raise money for her favorite charities. The pre-concert event included food and drinks and some fantastic take-aways. Also, her biography, True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself, is out and available at Amazon.
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
Set List/Encore
“Diamonds”
“The Best Things in Life Are Free”
“Together Again”
For the encore in the final segment, she gave us even more; as if a reservoir of energy had recharged itself and raised her act to yet another super human level. She danced and then stepped off stage for a teasing moment; the audience called for her in the usual way – Janet! Janet! Janet! Then she returned, finished the dance and introduced the dance team as each member did a little over the top jig. Janet then turned around and introduced the members of her band; individually and graciously.
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson - Number Ones: Up Close And Personal Tour...
Turning back to us, she thanked us for our love, support and feedback and danced away. She got up on the elevated stage and waved adios … and va va vroom, she was gone. She had shared songs from her impressive list of ten albums; Janet Jackson (1982), Dream Street (1984), Control (1986), Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989), janet. (1993), The Velvet Rope (1997), All for You (2001), Damita Jo (2004), 20 Y.O. (2006), and Discipline (2008). We were satiated, we were spent… it was a brilliant show and my verdict? A+. What’s next? Well, if I get a Jay-Z/Kanye West ticket, I’ll be there in November. Any offers? 😉 (Update: Yeah! Watch The Throne in November is on. I’m stoked!) What are your thoughts? Have you seen Janet perform? What are your views on this and other shows you’ve attended? Do share! Thank you. 😉
Positive Motivation Tip: Music unites us all and keeps us youthful and hopeful; jump aboard. See a show; free and otherwise.
Related articles
- Janet Jackson: Hola, Barcelona! (justjared.buzznet.com)
- Janet Jackson Tells Piers Morgan That Stars “Eat Kleenex” to Lose Weight (fitsugar.com)
- Janet Jackson wants to get up close and personal with her Aussie fans (muzicmagazine.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my Personal Collection and copyright reserved. Usage only with permission and attribution.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Trackbacks
- A Review + Photos: Janet Jackson – Number Ones: Up Close And … | Janet Jackson
- Janet Jackson Live: A Review « DangerousLee.Biz
- “Rhythm Nation” “If” & “I Get Lonely” — Janet Jackson « HI-FI Lives
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Movement… | Mirth and Motivation
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Movement… | The Blog Farm - A Growing Blog Community
your pics are amazing…you must have been really close to the stage
It was an amazing concert and yes, we had pretty good seats. TY! 🙂
What a show! Great review Elizabeth, it sounds like you were enthralled with the whole show from beginning to end, with Janet giving her all.
Thank you so much for the photos, they are awesome, so clear and the close ups are amazing!
TY for your feedback Barb! Janet is a consummate artist and gave a fantastic show… It was a terrific show and my camera was working properly this time. 😆
like your article about SADE now your new post about JANET JACKSON is great. Every printed magazine should be proud to present your document!
Oh you are so generous TY! I’m all ears for interested parties… but I love the process and concerts anyway. 🙂
Great photos! I bet you get FPed again! Fingers crossed 🙂
Hi Tilly TY! 😉 That would be nice wouldn’t it? I loved the show and everything that came with it. 🙂
Love your review and photos, Elizabeth.
Thanks for sharing.
TY Marcia! I find that because concert reviews are so subjective, I like to let the photographs tell their own story and give others a chance to form an opinion based on what they see; the energy, the dance, the fun and laughter…
Some reviewers are so ridiculous; they don’t feel they’ve done their job unless they bash the artist or say something nasty… I mean what’s not to love about a dynamite, well choreographed show with great music? I don’t get some people… but whatever.
I love music and appreciate people with the talent to share it publicly. … Now I’m on a rant. TY lady! TY Janet! 😆
Wonderful post and the photos are dynamite! You make me wanna dance!
Glad you enjoyed the photos and welcome back… It was truly an evening of spectacular entertainment. Janet delivered on all counts; dance, music, choreography and more. 🙂
I loved the pics and I always admired her so I applaud your good luck in seeing her. I always enjoy your posts
TY for stopping by. I’m glad you loved the photos. I worked hard to make sure I documented my time at the show so I could share it here. I don’t get to concerts as much as I’d love to… so each one I attend is a gift and I make the best of it. TY! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the show.
TY! Janet was phenomenal! 🙂
Awesome photos, really crisp and clear. Pleased you had a good time
TY Timmer! I’m glad the way they turned out; especially as cameras can be temperamental sometimes…. It was a ton of fun! 🙂
Did you have a press pass? How did you get such amazing photos?
The review and photo array are spectacular! Well done.
b
You crack me up Barb! Press pass? Not yet! I’ll gladly accept one for the Jay-Z/Kanye West show in November. TY for your kind words. Janet was amazing and I had a blast. I made sure to bring it home to share with everyone. 🙂
Wooooo! I feel like I was there! “What have you done for me lately? Oooooh Oooh Yaaaaa…” (that’s me singing!) She still looks so young!!
Yeah, I love that song too… She sang ’em all.. you know, this was her #1 hits show… so she covered all our favorites. Great concert. TY! 🙂
Fantastic quality pictures!
TY Goz! Wish you were here to join me at the concert! 🙂
Truly breathtaking. You clearly really enjoyed the concert. I’m jealous. You can see the similarity between Janet and Michael in some of those shots.
Yes, they are truly a talented family and you can see her channeling Michael at points in the show. It was fantastic and I’m glad I went… Glad you liked it! TY! 🙂
This post was right up my alley! Phenomenal seats you must have had! Good for you! I’ve never seen her in concert and would absolutely LOVE TO!!! Glad you had a great experience 🙂
TY Megan! I knew you’d love it as you are a huge music fan! It was a blast and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Yes, the seats were pretty good as it was my birthday gift… TY all! 🙂
Janet looks fabulous! It is nice to see her performing again!
Yes, it is great to see her go out there and give a great concert. I loved it! TY! 🙂
Way cool! I grew up listening to her songs, sounds like it was an awesome concert and you took amazing photos! 🙂
TY Sharon… I had a great time and so did everyone else there… She gave it her all. Ditto the dancers/band/backup singers and Janet was so sweet too. 🙂
I so love Janet Jackson and I really enjoy reading articles about her. Thanks for posting!
Thank you for checking it out. 🙂