Janet Jackson Together Again tour at the O2 review: ‘I’m 58 and still serving’
There’s a particular thrill in seeing a living legend take the stage, and Janet Jackson’s Together Again tour at The O2 Arena was just that – an evening drenched in nostalgia, star power, and yes, a whole lot of camp. But while the performance was undeniably polished, there was an underlying sense that something a little more raw was missing.
Jackson made her entrance in a silver sequin bodysuit, black thigh-high Louboutin boots glittering under the stage lights. Her male dancers, clad in matching black leather boots, set the scene with a blend of raunch and drama. It was a bold look, and yet, from the get-go, it was clear: Janet didn’t need them. There were moments, particularly during slower ballads, where she stood alone, commanding the space as if to remind us who the star of the show truly was.
Vocally, Jackson delivered. Known for her breathy style, she handled every note with precision, showing no signs of playback. Her voice soared across the decades, and though she kept interactions with the audience to a minimum, her presence spoke for itself. There were no lengthy monologues, no intimate asides to the crowd – just the music.
Yet that’s where the show sometimes faltered. As Miss-Jackson-if-you’re-nasty herself would say, this show was about control – though perhaps a bit too much control. The choreography was slick, the staging pristine, but there was a formulaic feel to the evening. One moment of chairography provided a sultry shift, but otherwise, it was business as usual. Janet danced with energy that defied her years – “I’m 58 and still serving,” she rightly quipped after smashing 1986’s ‘When I Think Of You’. And it’s true, she can still move like she could when she was in her 20s, though a lack of the monologues and audience interaction we get from artists of a similar calibre and era (see: Madonna) left the mood a little less personable than it could have been.
Janet Jackson Viagogo Data
As Janet Jackson’s Together Again tour makes its way through the UK for the first time in half a decade, here are some fascinating statistics from viagogo that highlight her enduring popularity and influence.
European Tour Announcement
Searches for Janet Jackson tickets spiked by 133% on viagogo after she announced her European Tour on April 29th.
Ticket sales rose by 95% on viagogo following the tour announcement on April 29th.
Searches peaked again the same week she announced a second London date on 11th June 2024.
London O2 Shows (28 & 29 September 2024)
Fans from 14 different countries bought tickets to Janet’s O2 shows in London via viagogo.
While Brits are leading the way, superfans from the United States, Kenya, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Canada have also secured tickets for her London dates.
European Tour Ticket Purchase
Brits purchased over 7 times the number of tickets for Janet’s European tour compared to any other nationality on viagogo.
US fans are the second-highest buyers of tickets for the European leg, followed by German, Dutch, and French fans.
US Tour
Searches for Janet Jackson tickets rose by a staggering 1045% on viagogo after the US Tour announcement on 16th January.
Ticket sales surged by an impressive 4812% on viagogo following the announcement.
Indeed, the crowd seemed to hold their energy in reserve for much of the night, with most people staying seated until the big hits brought them to their feet. The first half of the show leaned heavily into deeper cuts and mid-career tracks, leaving a somewhat muted atmosphere until the inevitable arrival of hits like ‘Rhythm Nation’ and ‘All for You’. When the bangers finally came, the arena lit up, though it was mainly bums in seats again once less-familiar numbers were performed.
The setlist, split into acts, was a well-curated trip through Jackson’s discography. From the sensual grooves of ‘That’s the Way Love Goes’ to the high-energy classics like ‘Nasty‘ and ‘Escapade’, she covered all the eras of her career. But it was clear that the audience was there for the iconic singles – tracks like ‘Together Again’, which fittingly closed the night on a high note. It was the encore where she truly shone, reminding everyone why she’s been a force in pop for so long.
Janet Jackson remains an icon – a legend, even – and her ability to still fill arenas is a testament to her legacy. But for all the spectacle, there were moments where the show felt like it was missing that extra spark. And yet, when she closed with ‘Together Again’, that final moment of connection with the audience, all was forgiven. Janet’s still here and still serving – even if she’s serving it with a little too much polish.
Janet Jackson’s Together Again tour continues across the UK, with upcoming shows at Co-op Live in Manchester on 1 October and the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on 13 October (rescheduled from 30 September). The tour will then head across Europe, with performances in Belgium, Germany, and beyond. Tickets are available via Viagogo.
Janet Jackson: Together Again European Tour Setlist
Act I:
‘Jus Dance’ (SOLE Channel Mix) – by Mr. V (Dancers intro)
‘Night’
‘2nite’
‘Slolove’
‘Rock With U’
‘Throb’
‘All Nite (Don’t Stop)’
‘No Sleeep’
‘Got ’til It’s Gone’
‘That’s the Way Love Goes’
‘Love Will Never Do (Without You)’
Act II:
‘What Have You Done for Me Lately’ (Contains elements of “Get It Out Me”)
‘Nasty’ (Contains elements of “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar)
‘The Pleasure Principle’
‘You Want This’
‘When I Think of You’
‘Diamonds’ – Herb Alpert cover
‘The Best Things in Life Are Free’ (Contains elements of ‘Lonely’ & ‘Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun)’)
‘Control’
‘Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)’
‘Take Care’
‘Let’s Wait Awhile’
‘Again’
‘Any Time, Any Place’
‘I Get Lonely’
‘With U’
Act III:
‘The Body That Loves You’ (Contains elements of ‘Runaway’, ‘Spending Time With You’ & ‘What’s It Gonna Be’ by Busta Rhymes)
‘Runaway’
‘All for You’
‘Alright’
‘Escapade’
‘Miss You Much’
‘Feedback’
‘So Excited’
Act IV:
‘Would You Mind’ (Contains elements of ‘You Ain’t Right’ & ‘Dammn Baby’)
‘State of the World’
‘The Knowledge’
‘If’
‘Scream’ – Michael Jackson cover (Contains elements of ‘If’ & ‘Black Cat’)
‘Rhythm Nation’
Encore:
‘Whoops Now’
‘Together Again’
Source: setlist.fm
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