Janet Jackson Puts On a Crisp, Seamless Pop Concert in Cleveland: Review

To quote the guy standing and shouting behind me at Janet Jackson’s show in Cleveland on Tuesday night, here’s a summed-up review for you: “YES YES YES YES YES”

Maybe he was excitedly shouting about the singer’s many hit songs, snappy dance moves or elaborate outfit changes — but more likely, he was shouting about all three, culminating into the pop star’s absolute icon status, on display at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Janet Jackson (Miss Jackson, if you’re nasty) squeezed nearly 40 songs into a two-hour set in Cleveland as a part of her lengthy Together Again tour. The set was chunked out into four cinematic acts, each with a distinct stage design, vibe and outfit.

It’s a big tour, with big moments worth celebrating since she last performed in Cleveland in 2017. That includes 2022’s reissue of The Velvet Rope, in honor of the iconic album’s 25th anniversary, and 2023’s reissue of Discipline, in honor of the 2018 album’s fifth anniversary. Let’s not forget — perhaps most notably, in Cleveland — her 2019 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, during which Janelle Monae dubbed her the “queen of Black girl magic.”

Back in the city of rock and roll on Tuesday, Jackson captivated fans with her blend of addictive, socially conscious, genre-bending pop. Bangers like “Son of a Gun” and “Escapade” saw her get down with some crisp choreography, while “I Get So Lonely” featured a couple of steamy lap dances with her backup dancers.

“Scream” showcased her collaboration with her brother, Michael Jackson, with a recording of his voice and their shared music video playing on the stage’s screens. Audience members filled in the singing on "Again," with Jackson holding the microphone out to them to belt out the entire ballad on their own.

The singer held her hit “Together Again” for the final encore song of the night, in honor of the tour title and, maybe, in honor of a tour's whole point: bringing folks together, creating memories that live on.

During the show, a pre-recorded video of Jackson shared her own memories as a performer. She reflected on her 51-year career, which started when she was the youngest child in the popular Jackson family. “I still feel just as excited today as I did all those years ago,” she said.

And, based on that “YES YES YES YES YES” behind me: Cleveland felt the same way right back.

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Janet Jackson Setlist: June 25, 2024, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

1. "Night"
2. "2nite"
3. "Slolove"
4. "Rock With U"
5. "Throb"
6. "All Nite (Don't Stop)"
7. "No Sleeep"
8. "Got 'til It's Gone"
9. "That's the Way Love Goes"
10. "Love Will Never Do (Without You)"
11. "What Have You Done for Me Lately"
12. "Nasty"
13. "The Pleasure Principle"
14. "You Want This"
15. "When I Think of You"
16. "Diamonds" (Herb Alpert cover)
17. "The Best Things in Life Are Free"
18. "Control"
19. "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)"
20. "Take Care"
21. "Let's Wait Awhile"
22. "Again"
23. "Any Time, Any Place"
24. "I Get Lonely"
25. "With U"
26. "Make Me"
27. "All for You"
28. "Alright"
29. "Escapade"
30. "Miss You Much"
31. "Feedback"
32. "So Excited"
33. "State of the World"
34. "The Knowledge"
35. "If"
36. "Scream"
37. "Rhythm Nation"
38. "Someone to Call My Lover"
39. "Together Again"

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