Janet World Tour

Janet. World Tour
Tour Book Cover
Tour by Janet Jackson
Associated album	Janet
Start date	November 24, 1993
End date	April 26, 1995
Legs	7
Shows	81 in North America 9 in Asia 11 in Australia 23 in Europe 125 in Total
Janet Jackson tour chronology
Rhythm Nation World Tour (1990) Janet. World Tour (1993/95) The Velvet Rope World Tour (1998)

The Janet. World Tour (stylized as janet. World Tour) is the second concert tour by American recording artist Janet Jackson. It was launched in support of her fifth studio album Janet (1993). It began in November, 1993 and continued through April, 1995 before ending in London. Concerts were held in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Jackson's Rhythm Nation World Tour of 1990 made history as the most successful debut concert tour in history. Like its predecessor, the Janet World Tour became reputable for its theatrical grandeur—incorporating complex choreography, pyrotechnics, video display, stage design and costuming—drawing comparison to Broadway theatre.

Although frequent criticisms included Jackson's lack of vocal proficiency and spontaneity, a number of reviews observed her showmanship had improved since the Rhythm Nation World Tour. Several critics compared her stage presence to that of her brother Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna and Tina Turner.

Development

Costumes and wardrobe for the tour were designed by stylist Tanya Gill, with outfits "rang[ing] from 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, [which featured] performance 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 "[w]e really don't want a lot of out-of-town media" even though music critic Rick Bird observed "[n]ormally, 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 premier 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

Prior to the tour's launch, the Los Angeles Sentinel 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 gave a positive review to her performance at the SkyDome in Toronto, 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" 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, the 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 of The New York Times 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, Madonna and her brother Michael. In reference to her vocal capabilities, Pareles comments that "[l]ike 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, "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. Greg Kot of Rolling Stone 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, who reviewed her performance at the Worcester Centrum 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, Michael Snyder of the San Francisco Chronicle 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 "[h]er 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 singer, he likened her concert to productions by Broadway theatre and Cirque du Soleil. Karla Peterson of The San Diego Union-Tribune 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 commented that "Jackson is not so much a singer as a performer and entertainer, more concerned with the visual presentation than scintillating vocals."

Opening acts

• Tony! Toni! Tone! - (fall/winter '93/early '94 shows)
• Mint Condition - (spring shows)
• MC Lyte - (select summer shows)
• Tevin Campbell - (select summer shows)
• MN8 - (spring '95 shows)
• Bill Bellamy

Set list

1. "If"
2. Medley:
   • "What Have You Done for Me Lately"
   • "Nasty"
3. "Let's Wait Awhile"
4. "Come Back To Me"
5. "Throb"
6. Whimsical Medley:
   • "When I Think of You"
   • "Escapade"
   • "Miss You Much"
7. "Love Will Never Do (Without You)"
8. "Alright"
9. "What'll I Do"
10. "Any Time, Any Place"
11. "Where Are You Now"¹
12. "Again"
13. "And On and On"²
14. "Black Cat"⁴
15. "Rhythm Nation"
16. "This Time"
17. "That's the Way Love Goes"
18. "New Agenda"¹

Encore

19. "Because of Love"
20. "You Want This"³
21. "Whoops Now"⁵

¹ Only performed in a few early performances
² Only performed in a few last dates of summer leg due to the song's fame at the time, replacing "Black Cat"
³ Only performed on Australian leg and summer US leg
⁴ Not performed at open venues during summer US leg
⁵ Only performed on European leg

The band

• Musical Director/Keyboards: Rex Salas
• Drums: 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
• Dancers:Tina Landon (choreographer), Sean Cheesman, Cynthia Davila, Shawnette Heard

Jennifer Lopez (Portions), Kelly Konno, Omar Lopez, Nikki Pantenburg, Tish Oliver, Josie Harris(Australian Leg of the Tour)

Tour dates

Date	City	Country	Venue
North America
November 24, 1993	Cincinnati	United States	Riverfront Coliseum
November 26, 1993	Toronto	Canada	SkyDome
November 28, 1993	Landover	United States	USAir Arena
November 29, 1993
December 1, 1993	Rosemont		Rosemont Horizon
December 2, 1993	Minneapolis		Target Center
December 4, 1993	Detroit		Joe Louis Arena
December 17, 1993	New York City		Madison Square Garden
December 18, 1993
December 22, 1993
December 23, 1993
December 28, 1993	Providence		Providence Civic Center
December 30, 1993	Hartford		Hartford Civic Center
December 31, 1993	New York City		Madison Square Garden
January 3, 1994	Richfield		Richfield Coliseum
January 5, 1994	Atlanta		Omni Coliseum
January 6, 1994
January 9, 1994	Charlotte		Charlotte Coliseum
January 12, 1994	Birmingham		BJCC
January 14, 1994	Richmond		Richmond Coliseum
January 16, 1994	Knoxville		Thompson–Boling Arena
January 18, 1994	Orlando		Orlando Arena
January 20, 1994	Miami		Miami Arena
January 22, 1994	St. Petersburg		Thunderdome
January 24, 1994	Albany		Pepsi Arena
January 30, 1994	Worcester		Centrum in Worcester
January 31, 1994	Philadelphia		Spectrum
February 3, 1994	Indianapolis		Market Square Arena
February 4, 1994	Dayton		Ervin J. Nutter Center
February 6, 1994	Peoria		Peoria Civic Center
February 7, 1994	Milwaukee		Bradley Center
February 12, 1994	Tacoma		Tacoma Dome
February 16, 1994	San Jose		San Jose Arena
February 17, 1994	Sacramento		ARCO Arena
February 18, 1994	Oakland		Oakland Coliseum
February 24, 1994	San Diego		San Diego Sports Arena
Asia
March 25, 1994	Nagasaki	Japan	Huis Ten Bosch
March 27, 1994	Osaka		Osaka-jo Hall
March 29, 1994	Tokyo		Tokyo Dome
March 30, 1994
North America
April 7, 1994	Inglewood	United States	Great Western Forum
April 8, 1994
April 9, 1994
April 14, 1994	San Jose		San Jose Arena
April 16, 1994	Paradise		MGM Grand Garden Arena
April 20, 1994	Phoenix		America West Arena
April 22, 1994	Albuquerque		Tingley Coliseum
April 23, 1994	Las Cruces		Pan American Center
April 24, 1994	Denver		McNichols Sports Arena
April 26, 1994	Salt Lake City		Delta Center
April 27, 1994
June 10, 1994	Columbia		Merriweather Post Pavilion
June 11, 1994
June 13, 1994	Vaughan	Canada	Kingswood Music Theatre
June 18, 1994	Mansfield	United States	Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts
June 21, 1994	Saratoga Springs		Saratoga Performing Arts Center
June 23, 1994	Burgettstown		Star Lake Amphitheatre
June 24, 1994	Philadelphia		Spectrum
June 26, 1994	Wantagh		Jones Beach Amphitheatre
June 27, 1994
June 30, 1994	Holmdel		Garden State Arts Center
July 3, 1994	Hershey		Hersheypark Stadium
July 5, 1994	Milwaukee		Marcus Amphitheater
July 6, 1994	Moline		The MARK of the Quad Cities
July 8, 1994	Bonner Springs		Sandstone Amphitheater
July 9, 1994	Maryland Heights		Riverport Amphitheatre
July 12, 1994	Hoffman Estates		Poplar Creek Music Theater
July 13, 1994
July 19, 1994	Richfield		Richfield Coliseum
July 21, 1994	Cincinnati		Riverbend Music Center
July 23, 1994	Noblesville		Deer Creek Music Center
July 24, 1994	Columbus		Polaris Amphitheatre
July 26, 1994	New York City		Radio City Music Hall
July 27, 1994
July 29, 1994	Raleigh		Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
July 31, 1994	West Palm Beach		Coral Sky Amphitheatre
August 1, 1994	New Orleans		Louisiana Superdome
August 2, 1994	The Woodlands		Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 3, 1994	Dallas		Starplex Amphitheatre
August 5, 1994	Greenwood Village		Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre
August 9, 1994	Irvine		Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
August 10, 1994	San Bernardino		Glen Helen Pavilion
August 12, 1994	Mountain View		Shoreline Amphitheatre
August 14, 1994	George		The Gorge Amphitheatre
Australia
February 6, 1995	Brisbane	Australia	Brisbane Entertainment Centre
February 7, 1995
February 10, 1995	Sydney		Sydney Entertainment Centre
February 11, 1995
February 12, 1995
February 15, 1995
February 17, 1995	Melbourne		Centre Court
February 18, 1995
February 20, 1995
February 21, 1995	Adelaide		Adelaide Entertainment Centre
February 23, 1995	Perth		Perth Entertainment Centre
Asia
February 27, 1995	Singapore	Singapore	Singapore Indoor Stadium
February 28, 1995
March 3, 1995	Pasay	Philippines	Folk Arts Theater
March 5, 1995	Bangkok	Thailand	Impact Arena
March 6, 1995
Europe
March 8, 1995	Oslo	Norway	Oslo Spektrum
March 9, 1995	Copenhagen	Denmark	Forum Copenhagen
March 11, 1995	Stockholm	Sweden	Stockholm Globe Arena
March 14, 1995	Berlin	Germany	Velodrom
March 16, 1995	Hamburg		Alsterdorfer Sporthalle
March 21, 1995	Rotterdam	Netherlands	Ahoy' Rotterdam
March 22, 1995
March 25, 1995	Toulouse	France	Palais des Sports de Toulouse
March 26, 1995	Barcelona	Spain	Palau Sant Jordi
March 29, 1995	Marseille	France	Le Dôme
March 31, 1995	Zürich	Switzerland	Hallenstadion
April 1, 1995	Munich	Germany	Olympiahalle
April 4, 1995	Sheffield	United Kingdom	Sheffield Arena
April 7, 1995	Birmingham		NEC Birmingham
April 8, 1995	London		Wembley Arena
April 10, 1995	Paris	France	Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
April 11, 1995	Stuttgart	Germany	Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
April 13, 1995	Frankfurt		Festhalle
April 15, 1995	Dortmund		Westfalenhalle
April 16, 1995	Ghent	Belgium	Flanders Expo
April 19, 1995	London	United Kingdom	Wembley Arena
April 20, 1995
April 22, 1995

Commercial reception

Commercial reception

Date	Venue	City	Attendance			Ticket Grossing
			Tickets Sold	Tickets On Sale	Percentage Sold
Dec 17, 1993	Madison Square Garden	New York City, New York	14,621	14,621	100%	$548,902
Dec 18, 1993			14,621	14,621	100%	$548,902
Dec 31, 1993			15,472	15,472	100%	$838,500
January 9, 1994	Charlotte Coliseum	Charlotte, North Carolina	23,302	23,302	100%	$414,972
January 12, 1994	Coliseum, Birmigham	Birmingham, Alabama	7,650	10,846	89%	$212,288
January 31, 1994	Spectrum	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	15,513	15,513	100%	$467,204

Miscellaneous

• During the late 1980s, Pioneer signed contracts with major music artists, such as Madonna, Janet Jackson, and others, to release their concerts on Laserdisc only. To this date, the contracts are still standing, and the concerts have not been re-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, however it has never aired in full. MTV covered the opening night of the tour as well as the European leg. Though on Feb. 28 2008, Janet announced on Larry King Live that for the first time publicly, she will definitely release the Janet. and Rhythm Nation Tours on DVD. She did not state when.
• It has been confirmed by Janet herself in an interview with fan Darren Burn that the tour will be released on DVD at some point in the future.
• 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 the chemicals used to create the effects.
• Janet had to push back her concert in Worcester, Massachusetts twice, and finally a date was set --- 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 in the newspaper 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, like Janet tickets.
• Janet was the first Pop-artist to perform in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in 1994.
• Janet performed 2 concerts at Radio City Music Hall to benefit the Rwandan crisis. The shows were also recorded for a television special which never aired. The concert special was directed and filmed by her then husband Rene Elizondo, Jr.
• The Tour generated over $35 Million dollars in the US and over $75 million worldwide (equivalent roughly to $130 million, based on 2008 average ticket price).
• Estimated worldwide attendance at 2.5 million.
• Pioneer signed an exclusive deal to release the concert on laser disc only and thus no video or DVD has yet been released.
• there are a few Bootleg recordings of this tour that have surfaced:

-Sex is Happiness CD Live in Minneapolis, MN on December 2, 1993.

-Live in Peoria, IL 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 Philippines performing "IF".

-Clips live in Tokyo, Japan "IF".