The Hollywood Bowl opened its 2023 season with a hell of occasion Saturday night (June 10), thanks to Janet Jackson and her Together Again Tour with particular visitor Ludacris. It’s Jackson’s first main outing since her 2019 Metamorphosis Las Vegas residency and, later that yr, her 30th anniversary celebration of 1989’s Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814.
Borrowing its identify from the hit single featured on Jackson’s 1997 sixth album The Velvet Rope, Together Again fittingly embodied the reunion vibe coursing all through the multi-generational and multi-racial viewers contained in the Bowl. Both Jackson and Ludacris saved the sold-out, always cheering, sing-along crowd on its toes from starting to finish of their Los Angeles stopover.
Before coming to the Bowl, Jackson and Ludacris carried out the evening earlier than (June 9) in Irvine, Calif. Additional California stops on the Together Again Tour — which kicked off April 14 — embrace Chula Vista (San Diego, June 11), San Bernardino (June 14) and Mountain View (June 16) earlier than heading to Portland, Oregon (June 20) and Seattle (June 21), after which wrapping Oct. 27 in Lincoln (Sacramento, Calif.).
Here are 5 memorable highlights from the Los Angeles present:
Grand Entrance: Jackson prefaced her one hour and 45-minute set with a video compilation of pivotal moments in her life and 50-year profession, from rising up because the youngest sister of the famed Jackson 5 brothers to changing into a solo star in her personal proper. Then a number of beats after the video ended, adopted by flashing coloured lights, Jackson walked onto a round platform within the middle of the stage to prolonged thunderous applause and shout-outs, resplendent in a floor-length, purple-hooded cape tied with a bow on the neck, purple lipstick and a waist-long, top-knotted ponytail. Dropping the cape, she launched into “Love Me” after which “Damita Jo” sporting a gold sparkly jumpsuit and matching boots. As most followers know, the latter tune is her center identify and the title of her 2004 album. It’s additionally one in all a number of songs — together with “Enjoy,” “Like You Don’t Love Me” and “Do It 2 Me” — that she’s been performing reside for the primary time. But irrespective of how a lot of the live performance has already been lined in evaluations up to now, nothing matches being there to expertise first-hand the thrill that comes with the beginning of a Jackson live performance.
Dancing Machine and Other Moves: Further heightening the expertise this time is the present’s minimalist set — three video screens, round platform and higher platform — with Jackson complemented by 4 energetic male dancers who saved tempo along with her the entire time. So attendees got a fowl’s eye view of Jackson’s percolating stage presence and nonetheless charming choreography. Among the songs drawing ecstatic response throughout her 40-song set have been “If,” “That’s the Way Love Goes,” “What Have You Done for Me Lately”/“Nasty,” “The Pleasure Principle,” “Control” (which had Ludacris dancing within the crowd), “All for You” and “Miss You Much.” A collection of gradual songs (“Let’s Wait Awhile,” “Anytime, Anyplace,” “I Get Lonely”) lent an intimate vibe to the night, as did Jackson performing “Again” with YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) led by conductor Thomas Wilkins.
“It feels so good to be home,” Jackson mentioned earlier than becoming a member of YOLA. “Tonight is very special to me because we’re all here to support the LA Phil.” Note: All proceeds from the Bowl’s opening evening benefitted the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its studying and neighborhood packages.
Ending the present’s second act with “I Get Lonely,” Jackson serenaded one of many dancers and danced suggestively with him — earlier than shocking the gang by planting him with a full-on kiss after which sashaying offstage sporting a sly smile.
A Colorful Sendoff: Before encoring with “Together Again,” Jackson and crew gave the viewers what it had been ready for … a riveting reprise of one in all her hottest and socially aware hits, “Rhythm Nation.” Decked all in black — with Jackson donning a black T-shirt with RN spelled out throughout the entrance — the crew launched right into a dance routine that was simply as crisp and on-point because it was when Jackson launched the monitor and its ground-breaking video again in 1989. A shock fireworks show illuminating the sky above the Bowl put an exclamation level on the efficiency.
Ludacris performs throughout Janet Jackson’s Together Again Tour on the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on June 10, 2023.
Mathew Imaging
Shaken and Stirred: Flanked by a number of video screens ceaselessly emblazoned together with his fiery DTP (Disturbing tha Peace) label brand, Ludacris did simply that. He didn’t merely heat up the gang — he fired them up to boiling. With his distinctive, rapid-fire movement nonetheless intact, Luda commandingly strode the stage as he ripped his manner by a 40-minute memory-evoking set. As one concertgoer was overheard noting, “You forget just how many records Ludacris has.” With his giant Afro bouncing alongside, the rapper/actor/entrepreneur reeled off 18 songs as he took followers again to day one in all his profession. Among them: “Southern Fried Intro,” “Welcome to Atlanta,” “Area Codes,” “Lovers & Friends,” “My Chick Bad,” “Money Maker,” first hit single “What’s Your Fantasy,” “Stand Up” (sporting self-described “big ass white shoes”), his verses from Usher’s “Yeah!” and set nearer “Get Back.” Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in May this yr, Ludacris definitively proved what he declared early into his set: “I was born to be on this damn stage tonight!”
Jamming with Mr. Jam: Spotted within the viewers getting his groove on as nicely was Jimmy Jam. He and associate Terry Lewis are the Grammy-winning songwriters-producers who collaborated with Jackson in crafting a majority of her hits. Watching him, alongside his household, was a cool and sudden deal with.
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