You’d think after 51 years of performing, Janet Jackson would be ready to retire. The opening night of her new Resorts World residency proved the 58-year-old megastar still has plenty left in the tank.
Pulling from a reserve of music several decades deep, Jackson treated fans to a two-hour marathon, coming just shy of performing 45 songs from her impressively eclectic catalog. We were conditioned to dance from the moment Jackson took the stage with “Night” and “2nite,” two house-heavy grooves from 2015’s Unbreakable and 2008’s Discipline. Joined by a cadre of dancers, the superstar disrobed from her black trench, revealing a glittering gold bodysuit underneath, her confidence filling out every seam.
The first 25 minutes were what some might consider a slow burn: Jackson withheld her better-known dance-pop hits, compelling the audience to appreciate the energy and anticipation that was sharply mounting. But as the night unfurled, we got to experience the full spectrum of her enduring talent. And boy, was it rewarding. Jackson still moves like a 25-year-old, still possesses that incendiary sex appeal and still knows how to dominate a stage with her potency and indescribable presence. During “All Nite (Don’t Stop),” her dancers gravitated to their queen, worshiping at her glimmering feet.
Yet the atmosphere changed when launching into “That’s the Way Love Goes”—we entered the warm and wonderful era of Miss Jackson. We got shivers as the singer’s magnificent whisper-laden voice filled the 5,000-seat theater. And Jackson, backed by a live band, followed that up with the buoyant “Love Will Never Do (Without You),” raising audience members to their feet in record time. For the full effect, the 1990 music video, in which Jackson and Italian actor Antonio Sabàto Jr. dance along the beach, played on the screen, shoring up simpler times. As Jackson cruised through jubilant pop cuts like “All for You” and “Escapade,” she appeared uninhibited by age or any unforeseen ailment. This was a legend at her most liberated.
Between the hits, the star managed to also squeeze in some surprises. We got to hear “Velvet Rope” for the first time since 1999. And we got a stripped down version of “I Get So Lonely.”
“I haven’t done this version of this song since 1998,” Jackson said of “I Get Lonely.” “Back then, I had red hair, and it was laid, honey.”
Jackson’s vulnerability and vocal prowess shined on a number of popular ballads, namely “Let’s Wait Awhile” and “Come Back to Me.” But when it came time to instill her performance with attitude, she gave it in spades. “What Have You Done for Me Lately” drew stadium-sized applause, with Jackson fanning the flames in a sexy plaid and leather outfit. Jackson mixed “Lately” with two more mega-hits—“Nasty” and “The Pleasure Principle”—sending our heart rates to the moon with a medley for the books.
Then the pyrotechnics kicked in. Jackson’s set became something akin to a rock show with the wailing, abrasive distortion of “Scream” and “Black Cat.” Jackson’s vocals, raw and practically clawing their way out of her, made me tremble and wince. The guitarist also ate up his solos here, striking a match to the tinderbox. And then came Jackson the icon, leading the militant procession of “Rhythm Nation” with a raised fist. Pop! Pop! The fireworks went off.
And to think, that was just the first of 10 performances for Janet Jackson. She promised to take Vegas on an escapade, and damn, did she deliver.
JANET JACKSON February 5, 7-8, 12 & 14-15, 8:30 p.m., $45-$280, Resorts World Theatre, axs.com.
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