Living Out Loud with Darian

The morning after Janet Jackson's opening night of her new tour is proving to be just as exciting as the show itself. Ms. Jackson treated her fans(well over 11,000) to a two and a half hour show packed with hits spanning her entire career and not only are the fans singing her praises but the critics are too.


From the Vancouver Sun: Blasting off with The Pleasure Principle, off her 1986 breakthrough album, Control, Jackson quickly set the tone for a show that had a serious celebratory party vibe. The 42-year-old danced and sang her way through What Have You Done for Me Lately and onto Feedback, the lead single off her most recent album, Discipline.


With an ear-piercing blast of pyrotechnics, a fog of thick cloud and dancers that popped up out of the stage and runway, Jackson proved within the first few minutes that she didn't choose the low-budget route for her Rock Witchu Tour.


Janet Jackson's latest choreographed concert spectacle is an aggressive reminder to the world that she is a woman who has risen above fads and scandal (who can forget the famous Superbowl wardrobe malfunction?). It is a reminder that she is a trend-setter in her own right, a true diva, and a marvelous performer.


The Globe & Mail:At 42, she of the infamous Superbowl wardrobe malfunction proved Wednesday night that she has still got it – big time – at least as a performer. She can move like she did back in her Rhythm Nation 1814 days – almost 20 years ago now – and she never seemed to wane, even as the clock ticked past 10:30 pm, and the crowd (mostly younger – much – than Jackson) seemed to tire of standing on its feet.


But the sparks really flew toward the end of the show when Jackson, dressed in her S&M best, walked the catwalk with her two female dancers, looking for a fan to have a little fun with. They brought him on stage, installed him in a harness and Jackson simulated having her way with him.


The simulated, er, lovemaking aside, an intimate show this wasn't. But it was satisfying: a fun, glitzy choreographed experience worthy of a woman who's been in show business longer than most of the people in the audience have been alive. Bravo.


Now if we could just get every reporter to truly respect who she is as an artist and not mention that damn 4 year old Superbowl incident then I'd be pleased. Seriously, people move on!


Get into the amazing set list here (She takes it all the way back to the first album! Remember "Young Love"?) and make sure to check back later in the day for video footage.