Janet World Tour (stylized as janet. World Tour and known as Summer Escapade during the summer of 1994) was the second concert tour by American singer, performer, songwriter and dancer
Janet Jackson. It was launched in support of her fifth studio
album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century as individual 78 rpm records co ...
''
Janet
Janet may refer to:
Names
* Janet (given name)
* Janet (French singer) (1939–2011)
Surname
* Charles Janet (1849–1932), French engineer, inventor and biologist, known for the Left Step periodic table
* Jules Janet (1861–1945), French psych ...
'' (1993). It began in November 1993 and continued through April 1995. Concerts were held in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It is believed shows were performed in South America. However, there are not exact details and most information is unknown.
Jackson's
1990 tour made history as the most successful debut concert tour in history. Like its predecessor, this tour became known for its theatrical grandeur—incorporating complex choreography, pyrotechnics, video display, stage design, and costuming—drawing comparison to
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre,Although ''theater'' is generally the spelling for this common noun in the United States (see American and British English spelling differences), 130 of the 144 extant and extinct Broadway venues use (used) the spelling ''Th ...
. Jackson visited four continents and eighteen countries within the span of 17 months. The tour had 125 dates and is the most shows Jackson has done for any concert. The show received positive reviews, and a number of reviews observed her showmanship had improved. The shows in North America, in 1994, earned $18.1 million.
Development
Costumes and wardrobe for the tour were designed by stylist Tanya Gill, with outfits "rang
ngfrom pipebone vests with high-heeled moccasin boots to zoot suits top-hats to circus-ringmaster bustiers."
With a show encompassing over 100 costumes, a team of over 50 costume makers was led by wardrobe supervisor Helen Hiatt.
Promotion
MTV promoted the Janet World Tour with a one-hour special in Jackson's honor, "hosted by MTV VJs Bill Bellamy and John Norris,
hich featuredperformance highlights, interviews with Jackson and her dancers, and behind-the-scenes production and rehearsal footage."
MTV publicist Jennifer Barner stated the channel wanted to give extensive coverage to Jackson's opening concert in Cincinnati, "because it is such a big tour and she's really, really hot now."
Despite heavy anticipation for the tour, news media were discouraged from attending opening night, which was seen as a dress rehearsal.
A spokeswoman for the tour stated "
really don't want a lot of out-of-town media" even though music critic Rick Bird observed "
rmally, such an important tour opening would be attended by pop-music media and paparazzi from around the world.
However, Bird also noted a low-key premiere was a strategic move for Jackson and her management, "since the complicated high-tech dance show will likely have some bugs to be worked out before it plays in larger media centers. And, given the
adverse publicity the Jackson family is facing these days, the low-key opening night may indeed be the best strategy."
Critical reception
![Janet Tour](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Janet_Tour.jpg)
Prior to the tour's launch, the ''
Los Angeles Sentinel
The ''Los Angeles Sentinel'' is a weekly African-American owned newspaper published in Los Angeles, California. The paper boasts of reaching 125,000 readers , making it one of the oldest, largest and most influential African-American newspapers ...
'' commented on the anticipation surrounding Jackson's return, stating: "Her first-ever concert tour in 1990 was the most successful premiere tour by any artist in pop music history. And now, amid great anticipation, Janet Jackson is set to return to the concert trail with her world tour in connection with her already triple platinum-plus 'janet' album ... The tour promises to be an innovative feast of sight and sound, a theatrical experience with spectacular choreography, staging and lighting." Lenny Stoute in the ''
Toronto Star
The ''Toronto Star'' is a Canadian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper. The newspaper is the country's largest daily newspaper by circulation. It is owned by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary of Torstar Corporation and pa ...
'' gave a positive review to her performance at the
SkyDome in
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...
, Ontario, Canada, stating that "as she'd done with the tour opener in Cincinnati Wednesday, it was a superb production that came with an emotional subtext."
Commenting on the highly athletic and sexually provocative performances of such songs as "
If", "
What Have You Done for Me Lately
"What Have You Done for Me Lately" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her third studio album, ''Control'' (1986). Jackson co-wrote the song with its producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It was released on January 13, 1986, by A&M Re ...
" and "
Nasty", he states: "This pelvic-thrusting, butt-wiggling, lip-licking high-energy temptress is a long way from the cute 'n' chubby girl next door of her previous Rhythm Nation tour. And she came equipped with the tough dance moves, firm muscles and seven costume changes to emphasize the difference."
In December 1993, Jackson had a five-day engagement in New York City at
Madison Square Garden, which saw its last concert on New Year's Eve.
Jon Pareles
Jon Pareles (born October 25, 1953) is an American journalist who is the chief popular music critic in the arts section of ''The New York Times''.The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...
'' stated: "The video-age arena spectacle is in good hands with Janet Jackson. Her current tour, which started a four-night run at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, piles on the production values: music, dancers, costumes, moving sets, video, lights, fireworks, everything but confetti and balloons."
He criticized the fact that the concert seemed overtly calculated, leaving little room for spontaneity. However, he compared her musical diversity favorably to other pop icons such as
Prince
A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. T ...
,
Madonna and her brother Michael.
In reference to her vocal capabilities, Pareles comments that "
ke many other video-promoted singers, Ms. Jackson doesn't have a big voice ... But Ms. Jackson is a stronger vocalist than she was when she last toured, three years ago."
According to Andy Smith of the ''
Providence Journal
''The Providence Journal'', colloquially known as the ''ProJo'', is a daily newspaper serving the metropolitan area of Providence, Rhode Island, and is the largest newspaper in Rhode Island. The newspaper was first published in 1829. The newspape ...
'', "Jackson and company created a sensory overload of lights, dancers, video, fireworks, explosions, costumes and sets ... The music was competently performed, but this was a concert for the age of MTV, more satisfying to the eye than the ear."
Although he believed she gave a well-performed production, he felt she lacked the stage presence of rivals such as Madonna and
Tina Turner
Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939) is an American-born Swiss retired singer and actress. Widely referred to as the " Queen of Rock 'n' Roll", she rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue before ...
.
Greg Kot
Greg Kot (born March 3, 1957) is an American music journalist and author. From 1990 until 2020, Kot was the rock music critic at the ''Chicago Tribune'', where he covered popular music and reported on music-related social, political and busines ...
of ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...
'' wrote: "If a performance can be faulted for being too well-rehearsed and too tautly paced, this was certainly an example ... Small of voice and slight of stature, Jackson seems more at home in a Fame-style ensemble than she does as a larger-than-life performer. Yet it's exactly that quality that makes her so endearing. Despite her impressive string of musical successes, Jackson still acts like the members of her audience." Roberta Fusaro of the ''
Telegram & Gazette
The ''Telegram & Gazette'' (and ''Sunday Telegram'') is the only daily newspaper of Worcester, Massachusetts. The paper, headquartered at 100 Front Street and known locally as ''the Telegram'' or the ''T & G'', offers coverage of all of Worcest ...
'', who reviewed her performance at
The Centrum
The DCU Center (originally Centrum in Worcester, formerly Worcester's Centrum Centre and commonly Worcester Centrum) is an indoor arena and convention center complex in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts. The facility hosts a variety of events, i ...
stated that Jackson "has shown incredible improvement as a performer since her Rhythm Nation tour ... specifically her dancing and her working of the crowd. She still lacks some of the spontaneity that could raise the level of her concerts from good ones to damn memorable ones, but Janet seemed pretty comfortable on stage last night in front of an all-forgiving near sold-out crowd, commanding the boards like a cross between Tina Turner and Madonna at some points."
In reviewing her concert at the
San Jose Arena
The SAP Center at San Jose (originally known as San Jose Arena and the HP Pavilion at San Jose) is an indoor arena located in San Jose, California. Its primary tenant is the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, for which the arena ha ...
, Michael Snyder of the ''
San Francisco Chronicle
The ''San Francisco Chronicle'' is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. It was founded in 1865 as ''The Daily Dramatic Chronicle'' by teenage brothers Charles de Young and Michael H. de Young. The ...
'' wrote: "That once-blurry line between stadium-size pop music concerts and full-scale theatrical extravaganzas ... is completely eradicated."
Citing her tightly choreographed performance, Snyder comments "
r theatrical inclinations elevated the concert at San Jose, but some of the music was truncated in the service of the production."
Giving his opinion that Jackson proved to be a better performer than a singer, he likened her concert to productions by
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre,Although ''theater'' is generally the spelling for this common noun in the United States (see American and British English spelling differences), 130 of the 144 extant and extinct Broadway venues use (used) the spelling ''Th ...
and
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil (, ; "Circus of the Sun" or "Sun Circus") is a Canadian entertainment company and the largest contemporary circus producer in the world. Located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul on 16 Ju ...
.
Karla Peterson of ''
The San Diego Union-Tribune
''The San Diego Union-Tribune'' is a metropolitan daily newspaper published in San Diego, California, that has run since 1868.
Its name derives from a 1992 merger between the two major daily newspapers at the time, ''The San Diego Union'' and ...
'' remarked: "Expertly designed, energetically choreographed, and engagingly performed by the large group of musicians and dancers, the 100-minute show ... had everything you'd expect from a pop pro of Jackson's stature."
Despite criticism that the show appeared overly structured, Peterson expressed: "To criticize Janet Jackson for cranking out a pre-programmed block of hits is like criticizing a cat for sleeping all day. It is simply what she does, and with the exception of Madonna, Jackson does this high-concept schtick better than anybody. She is a sharp dancer, an appealing performer, and as "
That's the Way Love Goes" proves—an ace pop-song writer."
Renee Graham of ''
The Boston Globe
''The Boston Globe'' is an American daily newspaper founded and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The newspaper has won a total of 27 Pulitzer Prizes, and has a total circulation of close to 300,000 print and digital subscribers. ''The Boston Glob ...
'' commented that "Jackson is not so much a singer as a performer and entertainer, more concerned with the visual presentation than scintillating vocals."
Miscellaneous
*Pioneer signed contracts with many major music artists, including Janet, to release their concerts exclusively on Laserdisc. To date, the contracts are still standing and the concerts have not been released on DVD by Pioneer or others. As a result, the tour has never been released on home video. The tour has aired on television, although it has never aired in full. MTV covered the opening night of the tour as well as the European leg.
*Janet plans to release the "Janet. World Tour", as well as the "Rhythm Nation 1814 World Tour", on DVD or package it with an upcoming studio album in the near future.
*Janet performed two concerts at Radio City Music Hall to benefit the Rwandan crisis. The shows were also recorded for a television special that never aired. The concert special was directed and filmed by her then-husband Rene Elizondo, Jr.
*"Come Back to Me", "What'll I Do", and "Where are You Now" were only performed on the first few dates of the tour before being cut from the setlist. "And On and On" was only performed at select shows during the "Summer Escapade" leg of the tour. "Black Cat" and "This Time" were exclusively performed during the first leg in North America.
*During each show, one of these three songs would be performed as the last song of each concert. "Because Of Love" was performed on the first, second, and third legs in North America and Japan; "You Want This" was performed on the fourth and fifth legs in North America, Australia, and Asia; and "Whoops Now" was performed on the sixth leg in Europe.
*The "Janet. World Tour" spanned 18 countries in 17 months, and marked the first time Janet performed in Australia and in South Asia.
*Janet's show at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina had to be canceled when the venue board refused to grant a permit allowing the fireworks and chemicals used to create the show's effects.
*Janet had to postpone the concert in Worcester, Massachusetts twice, and finally a date was set on Super Bowl Sunday. As an apology for scheduling the show on the day of the
Super Bowl XXVIII, Janet screened the game on her four Jumbotrons before she took the stage.
*Janet Jackson took ill 40 minutes into her Salt Lake City concert. She was treated at a hospital emergency room for what was reported to be "flu-like symptoms and dehydration."
*In Kansas City, city organizers offered a gun-control program in which guns were swapped for cash and other much sought-after items, including tickets to the tour.
*Janet was the first pop artist to perform at the
MGM Grand Garden Special Events Center in 1994.
*Multiple bootleg recordings of the tour have surfaced:
** Sex is Happiness CD Live in Minneapolis on December 2, 1993.
** Live in Peoria, Illinois on February 6, 1994.
** Jones Beach New York June 27, 1994.
** Jones Beach New York June 28, 1994.
** Live in Rotterdam, Netherlands at The Ahoy on March 21, 1995.
** Live in Barcelona Spain on March 26, 1995.
** Clips live in Australia performing "If"
** Clips live in the Philippines performing "If"
** Clips live in Tokyo, Japan "If"
The band
*Musical Director:
Rex Salas
Rex Salas (born March 16, 1962) is a Grammy and Emmy Award nominated American record producer, songwriter, musical director, and music arranger. Best known in recent years for his work as the musical director for Janet Jackson on several of h ...
*Keyboards: Rex Salas
*Drums:
Jonathan Moffett
Jonathan Phillip "Sugarfoot" Moffett (born November 17, 1954) is an American drummer, songwriter and producer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Beginning in 1979, Moffett collaborated with the Jackson family, particularly Michael Jackson, over the co ...
, John Roberts
*Keyboards: Eric Daniels, Brian Simpson
*Percussion: Terry Santiel
*Guitar: David Barry
*Bass: Sam Sims
*Background vocals: Stacy Campbell,
Romeo Johnson, and
Lisa Taylor
*Choreographer:
Tina Landon
Tina Landon (born January 6, 1963) is an American choreographer based in Los Angeles who has worked with Prince, Anastacia, Mýa, Pink, Jay-Z, Marc Anthony, Kristi Yamaguchi, Aerosmith, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Janet Jack ...
*Dancers: Tina Landon, Sean Cheesman, Cynthia Davila, Shawnette Heard, Omar Lopez, Tish Oliver,
Jennifer Lopez , Kelly Konno, Nikki Pantenburg, Jossie Harris ,
Tam Jo
Source:
Opening acts
*
Tony! Toni! Toné!
Tony! Toni! Toné! was an American soul/ R&B band from Oakland, California, popular during the late 1980s and early to mid-1990s. During the band's heyday, it was composed of D'wayne Wiggins on lead vocals and guitar, his brother Raphael Saadiq ...
*
Mint Condition
Mint condition is an expression used to denote the quality of a pre-owned good as displaying virtually no imperfections and being in pristine condition relative to its original production state. Originally, the phrase related to the way collect ...
*
MC Lyte
Lana Michele Moorer (born October 11, 1970), better known by her stage name MC Lyte, is an American rap music, rapper, Disc jockey, DJ, actress and entrepreneur. Considered one of the pioneers of female rap, Lyte first gained fame in the late 19 ...
*
Tevin Campbell
Tevin Jermod Campbell (born November 12, 1976) is an American singer and songwriter. He performed gospel in his local church from an early age. Following an audition for jazz musician Bobbi Humphrey in 1988, Campbell was signed to Warner Bros. Re ...
*
Kulcha
Kulcha is a type of mildly leavened flatbread that originated in the Indian subcontinent.
Recipe
Kulcha is made from maida flour, water, a pinch of salt and a leavening agent (yeast or old kulcha dough), mixed together by hand to make a very ti ...
*
MN8
*
Bill Bellamy
William Bellamy (born April 7, 1965) is an American actor and stand-up comedian. Bellamy first gained national notoriety on HBO's Russell Simmons' ''Def Comedy Jam'', where he is credited for creating or coining the phrase "booty call", descri ...
Setlist
The following setlist was obtained from the concert held on April 17, 1994; at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.
#"
If"
#"
What Have You Done for Me Lately
"What Have You Done for Me Lately" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her third studio album, ''Control'' (1986). Jackson co-wrote the song with its producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It was released on January 13, 1986, by A&M Re ...
" / "
Nasty"
#"
Let's Wait Awhile" / "
Come Back to Me"
#"
Throb
''Throb'' is an American sitcom that aired in syndication from September 6, 1986, to May 21, 1988. The series, created by Fredi Towbin, was produced by Procter & Gamble Productions in association with Taft Entertainment Television, and was dis ...
"
#"
When I Think of You
"When I Think of You" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her third studio album, ''Control'' (1986). It was released on July 28, 1986, as the album's third single. Composed by songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Le ...
" / "
Escapade" / "
Miss You Much
"Miss You Much" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson. Composed by songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, it was recorded for the singer's fourth studio album, '' Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814'' (1989). As with all ...
"
#"
Love Will Never Do (Without You)
"Love Will Never Do (Without You)" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson. Composed by songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, it was recorded for the singer's fourth studio album, ''Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814'' ...
"
#"
Alright
Alright, All Right or Allwright may refer to:
Music Albums
* ''Alright!'' (album), a 2007 album by Bogdan Raczynski
* ''Alright'', a 2011 album by Jerry Williams
* ''All Right'', a 1982 album by Himiko Kikuchi
Songs
* "Alright" (Cast song)
* ...
"
#"
What'll I Do"
#"
Any Time, Any Place"
#"
Again
Again may refer to:
Entertainment
* ''Again'' (video game), a 2009 adventure game for the Nintendo DS
* '' Again!!'' manga
* ''Again!'', a 2011 children's book by Emily Gravett
* ''Again'' (film), a 2015 Japanese film
Music
* Again (band), a ...
"
#"
Black Cat"
#"
Rhythm Nation
"Rhythm Nation" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson, released as the second single from her fourth studio album, '' Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814'' (1989). It was written and produced by Jackson, in collaboration with Jimmy Jam and ...
"
;Encore
#
"This Time"
#" That's the Way Love Goes"
#"Because of Love
"Because of Love" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her fifth album, ''Janet'' (1993). It was released as the album's fourth single in January 1994, the track is a love song written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terr ...
"
;Notes
*Other songs performed at various shows during the tour include: "
Where Are You Now", "
And On and On", "New Agenda", "
You Want This" and "
Whoops Now
"Whoops Now" and "What'll I Do" are songs by American singer Janet Jackson from her fifth studio album, ''Janet'' (1993). They were released in January 1995 as the album's eighth and ninth and final single, respectively. The songs reached number ...
".
Tour dates
Box office score data
Notes
References
{{Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson concert tours
1993 concert tours
1994 concert tours
1995 concert tours