Queen of Pop Janet Jackson leaves London fans Screaming for more

EXCLUSIVE

by Sarah Tetteh

When it comes to pop royalty, few do it better than Janet Jackson.

The music queen was every bit as legendary as you could imagine as she brought her Together Again tour to London.

South London Press Showbiz can reveal it’s her most extravagant tour to date to celebrate 50 years in the business.

With spaceship and solar planetary backdrops and iconicoutfits, Janet pushed the boat out when she arrived at London’s 02 Arena in Greenwich for her sell-out shows.

I’m told Janet, who has always reserved a special place in her heart for our capital, having lived here in the past for many years, even
created a bespoke set-list for Londoners.

“Janet made some tweaks to the setlist for the UK and Europe dates, adding Whoops Now and Runaway, as they’re more popular songs here,” my music expert tells me.

Not since Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 have we been graced with such musical talent – but step forward the ‘diamond of the season’ Janet.

The hot-to-trot mum-of-one took us on a trip down memory lane, performing hits from her top albums that transported us back to the 1980s with Rhythm Nation and Control, to the naughty 1990s with her infectious Janet album, right through to Velvet Rope and 2004’s Damita Jo.

Watching the stylish queen bust out flawless routines – some of them reminding fans of her late brother’s slick moves – everyone was asking the same question. How, at 58, can she still move like that?!

Janet proved that age ain’t nothing but a number – that pushing 60 she could still be every bit as sexy and slick as the 20-something new talents that are emerging on the scene.

Her experience, wisdom and connection with the audience was unparallelled, not to mention her style. I mean, she put the P into power dressing with her selection of structured suits and sparkly catsuits.

The costumes were all created by designer-to-the-stars Thom Browne, and he certainly understood the assignment.

Janet looked incredible and youthful as ever with her hair styled in her trademark box braids, looking like she had just stepped off the set of Poetic Justice. She slayed.

The 02 was packed and people threw up their phone lights for an incredible moment during her hit track Again, making it look like the Christmas lights were already up.

Fans went wild as she delivered pitch-perfect favourites, including That’s The Way Love Goes, which features a young J’Lo as one of her dancers in the video.

The crowds were fierce for What Have You Done for Me Lately, Pleasure Principle, When I Think of You and Together Again.

Yet it was the power duets that were worth the wait. Janet teased fans with her Luther Vandross classic collaboration Best Things in Life are Free.

But it was her duet with her late big bro Michael that got the loudest, er, Screams.

Fans were transported back to the incredible spaceship with her dancers joining Janet in a stunning tribute to the late King of Pop for their hit track Scream.

Janet also included a reel with childhood pictures of her late charming brother Tito, Michael and also their dad, Joe Jackson.

But on a Saturday night in London, all eyes were on Janet, who simply delivered one of her most memorable shows to date.

We salute you.

Pictured top: Janet’s Together Again tour sold out at London’s O2 (Picture: Solaiman Fazel)