Janet Jackson return to the stage after recovering from emergency surgery will be in the UAE.
Organisers of the Dubai World Cup have pulled out all the stops to secure a live show from the recently ill Jackson. The multi-platinum-selling artist will perform at the close of horse racing series on Saturday, March 26.
It will be her first concert in four months, after she was forced to pull the plug on her Unbreakable world tour to undergo an emergency throat operation.
Dubbed the “World’s Richest Raceday” – in reference to its massive prize pot – the Dubai World Cup has a history of attracting A-list stars to provide the entertainment for the weekend. Recent bookings included Kylie Minogue, Jennifer Lopez and Seal.
Jackson, the 49-year-old sister of the late Michael, began her career as a member of siblings act The Jacksons before finding solo fame in the mid-1980s.
She has sold more than 160 million records, including 1990s anthems That's the Way Love Goes, Together Again and Got 'til it's Gone.
“I am excited to perform for the global audience at this year’s Dubai World Cup,” she said.
“The entire Unbreakable company is looking forward to travelling with me to Dubai and being part of one of the world’s most prestigious events.”
The Dubai date comes five years after Jackson performed in Abu Dhabi, and will serve as a dress rehearsal for the European leg of Jackson’s Unbreakable tour, which resumes in the UK on March 30.
Her last performance was in Japan on November 22. On December 25, Jackson was forced to postpone the entire North American leg of her tour to undergo surgery. Following the all-clear from doctors, dates were rescheduled for this year.
The tour supports Jackson's seventh US number one album, Unbreakable, which pairs the singer with producer/songwriter dream team Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, three decades after they made history with Jackson's 1986 best-seller, Control.
The performance will start at about 10pm on March 26, and is open only to race-day ticket holders. Packages start at Dh450. Visit store.meydan.ae for more information.
rgarratt@thenational.ae
