Concert review: Janet Jackson at 57 is still in control

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Concert review: Janet Jackson at 57 is still in control

Vlad Bunoan

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Janet Jackson performs in her ‘Together Again’ concert at the Araneta Coliseum. Photo from the Facebook page of Araneta ColiseumJanet Jackson performs in her ‘Together Again’ concert at the Araneta Coliseum. Photo from the Facebook page of Araneta Coliseum 


MANILA — The Araneta Coliseum was turned into a giant '90s R&B dance club Wednesday night for international pop superstar Janet Jackson’s “Together Again” concert.


The brisk show clocked in at a little less than 2 hours but was crammed with hits from Jackson’s 40-year music career starting with her massive breakout album “Control” to her newer releases from the 2000s like “20 Y.O.” and “Discipline.”


The show was divided into five distinct sets with video and audio interludes in between that featured samples from her massive discography. (For instance, snippets of “Runaway” was used only during one of these breaks.)


After making her entrance in a bright red chunky overcoat, Jackson removed this to reveal her sole costume for the show — a black biker-style bodysuit — and quickly brought the party into high gear with dance hits like “Feedback,” “If,” “Got ’Til It’s Gone” and “That’s the Way Love Goes.”


Janet Jackson performs in her ‘Together Again’ concert at the Araneta Coliseum. Photo from the Facebook page of Araneta ColiseumJanet Jackson performs in her ‘Together Again’ concert at the Araneta Coliseum. Photo from the Facebook page of Araneta Coliseum 


But it was in the second act that had the audience, made up mostly of titas and titos of Manila as well as older millennials, go wild as she unleashed some of her biggest earlier hits, starting with “What Have You Done for Me Lately,” “Nasty” and “The Pleasure Principle.” 


“Let me take you back… Let me take you way back.. to 1986,” she told the crowd, introducing her first Billboard No. 1 hit “When I Think You,” which she followed up with snippets of “Diamonds,” “The Best Things in Life are Free” and ending the set with “Control.” 


Apart from her band, Jackson also had a DJ, which gave the arrangements a remixed feel, the beat ever pulsating with walls of sounds for an overall high energy vibe.


At 57, Jackson showed that she still has the moves. Backed up by four male dancers, Jackson and her crew would often break into the familiar choreography as seen in her award-winning music videos, that surprisingly have aged well.


Jackson quieted things down for the third set, which focused more on her ballads, like “Come Back to Me” and “Let’s Wait Awhile.” She also gave the audience a chance to serenade her, which they did with gusto on her big hit “Again.” 


The fourth set’s highlights include “Doesn’t Really Matter,” “All for You,” and “Come on Get Up,” while her fifth and final set loudly unleashed in succession “The Knowledge,” “Miss You Much,” “Love Will Never Do (Without You),” “Alright,” and “Escapade.”


Her late brother Michael Jackson made an “appearance” as she performed along their music video for “Scream” and then continued to rock with “Black Cat.”


The concert proper ended with “Rhythm Nation,” with her lean approximation of its unforgettable music video.



She came back for her single encore “Together Again,” which made sure the audience would leave the venue on a high.


“To each and everyone of you on your journey through life, I love you so much,” she told the crowd. “Please be safe. Good night. I love you Manila.”


Another check off my bucket list.


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