# Janet World Tour

Janet World Tour (stylized as janet. World Tour) was 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. 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. 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. Though the tour was professionally recorded, it has never received a video release as of 2024.

## 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.
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 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

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, 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 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 a 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."

## Personnel

* Musical director: Rex Salas
* Keyboards: Rex Salas
* Drums: Jonathan Moffett, 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
* Dancers: Tina Landon, Sean Cheesman, Cynthia Davila, Shawnette Heard, Omar Lopez, Tish Oliver, Kelly Konno, Nikki Pantenburg, Tam Jo (select shows)

## Opening acts

* Tony! Toni! Toné! (North America, Leg 1 & 2, select dates)
* Mint Condition (North America, Leg 2, select dates)
* MC Lyte (North America, Leg 3, select dates)
* Tevin Campbell (North America, Leg 3, select dates)
* Kulcha (Australia)
* MN8 (England)
* Bill Bellamy (Philadelphia, January 1994)

## Setlist

The following setlist was obtained from the concert held on April 20, 1995; at the Wembley Arena in London, England. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.
* "If"
* "What Have You Done for Me Lately" / "Nasty"
* "Let's Wait Awhile"
* "Throb"
* "When I Think of You" / "Escapade" / "Miss You Much"
* "Love Will Never Do (Without You)"
* "Alright"
* "What'll I Do"
* "Any Time, Any Place"
* "Again"
* "Black Cat"
* "Rhythm Nation"
* "This Time"
* "That's the Way Love Goes"

### Encore

* "Because of Love"
Notes
* "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 third 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.

## 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 | Landover | United States | USAir Arena |
| December 1, 1993 | Rosemont | United States | Rosemont Horizon |
| December 2, 1993 | Minneapolis | United States | Target Center |
| December 4, 1993 | Detroit | United States | Joe Louis Arena |
| December 17, 1993 | New York City | United States | Madison Square Garden |
| December 18, 1993 | New York City | United States | Madison Square Garden |
| December 22, 1993 | New York City | United States | Madison Square Garden |
| December 23, 1993 | New York City | United States | Madison Square Garden |
| December 28, 1993 | Providence | United States | Providence Civic Center |
| December 30, 1993 | Hartford | United States | Hartford Civic Center |
| December 31, 1993 | New York City | United States | Madison Square Garden |
| January 3, 1994 | Richfield | United States | Richfield Coliseum |
| January 5, 1994 | Atlanta | United States | Omni Coliseum |
| January 6, 1994 | Atlanta | United States | Omni Coliseum |
| January 9, 1994 | Charlotte | United States | Charlotte Coliseum |
| January 12, 1994 | Birmingham | United States | BJCC Coliseum |
| January 14, 1994 | Richmond | United States | Richmond Coliseum |
| January 16, 1994 | Knoxville | United States | Thompson–Boling Arena |
| January 18, 1994 | Orlando | United States | Orlando Arena |
| January 20, 1994 | Miami | United States | Miami Arena |
| January 22, 1994 | St. Petersburg | United States | ThunderDome |
| January 24, 1994 | Albany | United States | Knickerbocker Arena |
| January 30, 1994 | Worcester | United States | Worcester Centrum |
| January 31, 1994 | Philadelphia | United States | The Spectrum |
| February 3, 1994 | Indianapolis | United States | Market Square Arena |
| February 4, 1994 | Fairborn | United States | Nutter Center |
| February 6, 1994 | Peoria | United States | Carver Arena |
| February 7, 1994 | Milwaukee | United States | Bradley Center |
| February 12, 1994 | Tacoma | United States | Tacoma Dome |
| February 16, 1994 | San Jose | United States | San Jose Arena |
| February 17, 1994 | Sacramento | United States | ARCO Arena |
| February 18, 1994 | Oakland | United States | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena |
| February 24, 1994 | San Diego | United States | San Diego Sports Arena |
| Asia ||||
| March 25, 1994 | Sasebo | Japan | Huis Ten Bosch |
| March 27, 1994 | Osaka | Japan | Osaka-jō Hall |
| March 29, 1994 | Tokyo | Japan | Tokyo Dome |
| March 30, 1994 | Tokyo | Japan | Tokyo Dome |
| North America ||||
| April 7, 1994 | Inglewood | United States | Great Western Forum |
| April 8, 1994 | Inglewood | United States | Great Western Forum |
| April 9, 1994 | Inglewood | United States | Great Western Forum |
| April 14, 1994 | San Jose | United States | San Jose Arena |
| April 16, 1994 | Las Vegas | United States | MGM Grand Garden Special Events Center |
| April 17, 1994 | Phoenix | United States | America West Arena |
| April 20, 1994 | Cuyahoga Falls | United States | Blossom Music Center |
| April 22, 1994 | Albuquerque | United States | Tingley Coliseum |
| April 23, 1994 | Las Cruces | United States | Pan American Center |
| April 24, 1994 | Denver | United States | McNichols Sports Arena |
| April 26, 1994 | Salt Lake City | United States | Delta Center |
| April 27, 1994 | Salt Lake City | United States | Delta Center |
| June 10, 1994 | Columbia | United States | Merriweather Post Pavilion |
| June 11, 1994 | Columbia | United States | Merriweather Post Pavilion |
| 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 | United States | Saratoga Performing Arts Center |
| June 23, 1994 | Burgettstown | United States | Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheater |
| June 24, 1994 | Philadelphia | United States | The Spectrum |
| June 26, 1994 | Wantagh | United States | Jones Beach Amphitheater |
| June 27, 1994 | Wantagh | United States | Jones Beach Amphitheater |
| June 30, 1994 | Holmdel Township | United States | Garden State Arts Center |
| July 3, 1994 | Hershey | United States | Hersheypark Stadium |
| July 5, 1994 | Milwaukee | United States | Marcus Amphitheater |
| July 6, 1994 | Moline | United States | The MARK of the Quad Cities |
| July 8, 1994 | Bonner Springs | United States | Sandstone Amphitheater |
| July 9, 1994 | Maryland Heights | United States | Riverport Amphitheatre |
| July 12, 1994 | Hoffman Estates | United States | Poplar Creek Music Theater |
| July 13, 1994 | Hoffman Estates | United States | Poplar Creek Music Theater |
| July 18, 1994 | Clarkston | United States | Pine Knob Music Theatre |
| July 19, 1994 | Richfield | United States | Richfield Coliseum |
| July 21, 1994 | Cincinnati | United States | Riverbend Music Center |
| July 23, 1994 | Noblesville | United States | Deer Creek Music Center |
| July 24, 1994 | Columbus | United States | Polaris Amphitheater |
| July 26, 1994 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall |
| July 27, 1994 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall |
| July 29, 1994 | Raleigh | United States | Hardee's Walnut Creek Amphitheatre |
| July 31, 1994 | Atlanta | United States | Coca-Cola Lakewood Amphitheatre |
| August 1, 1994 | New Orleans | United States | Louisiana Superdome |
| August 2, 1994 | The Woodlands | United States | Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion |
| August 3, 1994 | Dallas | United States | Coca-Cola Starplex Amphitheatre |
| August 5, 1994 | Greenwood Village | United States | Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre |
| August 9, 1994 | Irvine | United States | Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre |
| August 10, 1994 | San Bernardino | United States | Blockbuster Pavilion |
| August 12, 1994 | Mountain View | United States | Shoreline Amphitheatre |
| August 14, 1994 | George | United States | The Gorge Amphitheatre |
| Australia ||||
| February 6, 1995 | Brisbane | Australia | Brisbane Entertainment Centre |
| February 7, 1995 | Brisbane | Australia | Brisbane Entertainment Centre |
| February 10, 1995 | Sydney | Australia | Sydney Entertainment Centre |
| February 11, 1995 | Sydney | Australia | Sydney Entertainment Centre |
| February 12, 1995 | Sydney | Australia | Sydney Entertainment Centre |
| February 15, 1995 | Sydney | Australia | Sydney Entertainment Centre |
| February 17, 1995 | Melbourne | Australia | National Tennis Centre |
| February 18, 1995 | Melbourne | Australia | National Tennis Centre |
| February 20, 1995 | Melbourne | Australia | National Tennis Centre |
| February 21, 1995 | Adelaide | Australia | Adelaide Entertainment Centre |
| February 23, 1995 | Perth | Australia | Perth Entertainment Centre |
| Asia ||||
| February 27, 1995 | Kallang | Singapore | Singapore Indoor Stadium |
| February 28, 1995 | Kallang | Singapore | Singapore Indoor Stadium |
| March 3, 1995 | Manila | Philippines | Folk Arts Theater |
| March 5, 1995 | Bangkok | Thailand | Indoor Stadium Huamark |
| March 6, 1995 | Bangkok | Thailand | Indoor Stadium Huamark |
| 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 | Arena Berlin |
| March 16, 1995 | Hamburg | Germany | Alsterdorfer Sporthalle |
| March 21, 1995 | Rotterdam | Netherlands | Sportpaleis |
| March 22, 1995 | Rotterdam | Netherlands | Sportpaleis |
| March 25, 1995 | Toulouse | France | Palais des Sports |
| March 26, 1995 | Barcelona | Spain | Palau Sant Jordi |
| March 29, 1995 | Marseille | France | Le Dôme de Marseille |
| March 31, 1995 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion |
| April 1, 1995 | Munich | Germany | Olympiahalle |
| April 4, 1995 | Sheffield | England | Sheffield Arena |
| April 7, 1995 | Birmingham | England | NEC Arena |
| April 8, 1995 | London | England | London Arena |
| April 10, 1995 | Paris | France | Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy |
| April 11, 1995 | Stuttgart | Germany | Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle |
| April 13, 1995 | Frankfurt | Germany | Festhalle |
| April 15, 1995 | Dortmund | Germany | Große Westfalenhalle |
| April 16, 1995 | Ghent | Belgium | Flanders Expo |
| April 19, 1995 | London | England | Wembley Arena |
| April 20, 1995 | London | England | Wembley Arena |
| April 22, 1995 | London | England | Wembley Arena |

## Box office score data

| Venue | City | Tickets sold / available | Gross revenue |
| SkyDome | Toronto | 17,737 / 18,000 (99%) | $506,042 |
| Joe Louis Arena | Detroit | 15,070 / 15,070 (100%) | $455,122 |
| Madison Square Garden | New York City | 44,714 / 44,714 (100%) | $1,936,305 |
| Charlotte Coliseum | Charlotte | 11,999 / 23,302 (51%) | $332,972 |
| BJCC Coliseum | Birmingham | 7,650 / 10,846 (71%) | $212,288 |
| Worcester Centrum | Worcester | 12,681 / 13,128 (97%) | $372,821 |
| The Spectrum | Philadelphia | 15,513 / 15,513 (100%) | $467,204 |
| Nutter Center | Fairborn | 12,445 / 12,445 (100%) | $359,174 |
| McNichols Sports Arena | Denver | 12,891 / 13,327 (97%) | $421,436 |
| Jones Beach Theater | Wantagh | 21,658 / 21,658 (100%) | $846,215 |
| Radio City Music Hall | New York City | 11,134 / 11,828 (94%) | $618,060 |
| TOTAL | TOTAL | 183,492 / 199,831 (92%) | $6,527,639 |