Thousands flocked to Yas Island in Abu Dahbi to watch Janet Jackson celebrate 30 years in pop music on Thursday (13th October 2011). The 45-year-old played an energetic set at the historic $36 billion development.
Jackson, midway through her world tour, played a mixture of fan favourites and new material at the well-attended concert, 8,000 miles from the Los Angeles trial of Dr Conrad Murray. The doctor is accused of manslaughter following the death of Janet's brother Michael Jackson in 2009. According to UAE's 'The National' newspaper, Janet played "all the chart toppers, reflecting her eclectic muse from R&B, pop to rock and dance". Local barman Ron Espenocilla claimed the concert almost got him fired from his job in a Dubai restaurant, saying, "I missed two of her tours in the Philippines because I was either studying or living here and this time I wasn't going to miss it. I told my job one month before that I have to go to do this and they were not happy but I told myself it was worth leaving it if they said no ... lucky they agreed". Arriving on stage around 9.30pm, Janet proceeded to play hits including, "In Control, "What Have You Done for Me Lately" and 'Feedback".
The concert was the first in Yas Island's series of 'Weekend' shows. On 25th October, the venue plays host to rockers METALLICA.