Janet Jackson was scheduled to embark on her “Black Diamond” world tour in summer 2020 to promote her 12th studio album “Black Diamond.” However, in early April she announced that the tour was being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. This was a major disappointment for Janet’s fans who had been eagerly awaiting her return to the stage. Janet’s tour had already been postponed once before in 2019 when she underwent surgery. The cancelation marked the longest period Janet has gone without touring in decades.
Background on the “Black Diamond” Tour
Janet announced the “Black Diamond” tour in February 2020. The tour was scheduled to kick off on June 24th in Miami and continue through until the end of September, with over 30 stops planned in North America. She was then slated to take the show overseas to Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand in the fall.
The tour was meant to highlight Janet’s iconic music career and commemorate the 30th anniversary of her groundbreaking “Rhythm Nation” album. It had been 7 years since Janet’s last concert tour, the “Unbreakable” tour which ran from 2015-2016. Fans were eager to see the music legend’s first live shows in several years.
The setlist was reported to span Janet’s entire musical catalog, including early hits like “What Have You Done for Me Lately”, “Control”, “Nasty”, and “Together Again” as well as new songs from “Black Diamond.” The production was said to be Janet’s most elaborate yet, with intricate choreography and costume changes planned.
Ticket Sales
Prior to postponement, ticket sales for the tour were strong. The initial dates sold out immediately and several second dates were added in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Toronto. According to Billboard Boxscore, the tour was projected to gross $55 million from the North American leg.
Janet was expected to play a mix of arenas and amphitheaters on the tour, with most venues holding 15,000-20,000 people. Even with strong sales, some shows did not completely sell out, likely due to high ticket prices. Prices ranged from $50 for upper level seats to over $500 for front row or VIP packages. Still, most shows were on track to sell very well before being postponed.
Stage Production
Based on behind the scenes sneak peeks Janet shared, the “Black Diamond” production was set to be an elaborate spectacle. She described it as “Tech World meets Industrial Revolution.” Photos showed the massive stage outfitted with conveyor belts, staircases, and screens. There were also glimpses of the 25+ person dance squad dressed in futuristic costumes.
Janet has always been known for her theatrical live shows. Past tours like “Velvet Rope”, “All for You”, and “Unbreakable” featured huge sets, costume changes, tightly choreographed dancing, and interludes to showcase Janet’s talents as an actress and performer. Fans expected her to continue raising the bar with “Black Diamond.”
Reasons for Postponement
Janet announced the postponement of the “Black Diamond” tour on April 10th, 2020 via a video message to fans. She cited concerns over the spread of COVID-19 as the reason:
“Hey you guys…I hope you’re all staying safe and healthy during this crazy time…I’m so excited for us all to be together again soon. Unfortunately, due to the continuing spread of COVID-19, we sadly must postpone our Black Diamond World Tour until next year. Existing tickets will be honored for the new dates. Trust I’ll be back soon.”
The postponement was ultimately unavoidable due the effects of the pandemic. Here are some of the key factors:
Global Health Crisis
COVID-19 was spreading rapidly in early 2020 when the tour was slated to launch. Many cities Janet was scheduled to visit enacted restrictions on mass gatherings. Touring on the original schedule would have been unwise and irresponsible given the health risks to audiences, crew, and Janet herself.
Most musicians, including huge acts like The Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, were forced to alter tour plans in 2020. Janet followed public health guidelines and chose safety over touring.
Travel Restrictions
The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in many countries closing borders and enacting travel bans in Spring 2020. Janet would have faced major hurdles transporting her full production, crew, and entourage internationally for the later European and Australasian legs of the tour. She made the prudent choice not to battle immigration red tape and quarantine rules.
Shutdowns of Venues & Live Events
The facilities Janet was booked to perform in were directly impacted by social distancing policies. Arenas like Madison Square Garden and The Forum in LA halted events. Some of Janet’s tour stops even became makeshift hospitals. Local ordinances banning large gatherings forced venues to close. It was politically and financially unfeasible for the tour to happen as scheduled under those circumstances.
Safety Concerns
Putting thousands of fans together in an enclosed space was recognized as an easy way for COVID-19 to spread widely. Showgoers’ safety was the number one priority. Janet acted responsibly by not encouraging crowds to convene and risk exposure. Other veteran artists like Pearl Jam and Carlos Santana canceled tours for this reason. Janet followed suit.
How Postponement Affected Janet Jackson
Having to halt the tour had major professional and personal ramifications for Janet:
Financial Loss
Janet lost out on the significant income the sold out tour would have generated. Billboard estimated the tour gross as $55 million. While Janet has many revenue streams, touring remains a major pay day. She likely still had to pay her crew, vendors and expenses despite shows being postponed.
Hampered Album Promotion
The “Black Diamond” tour was meant to boost Janet’s latest album release. She couldn’t promote or perform the new songs live as intended. Album sales and streaming numbers declined without concert visibility.
Disappointing Fans
Janet felt terrible about letting her fans down after they waited years for these shows. She issued an apology saying, “Words can’t properly express my remorse. Thank you for your loyalty, your support – I’ll see you soon!”
Career Momentum Loss
At 53, Janet is still an incredible performer, but canceling a major comeback tour stalled her career momentum. She was deprived of the chance to prove herself as a relevant headliner after years away from the spotlight.
How Fans Reacted
While disappointed, most fans expressed understanding about the postponement. Janet’s supporter base skews older, putting them at higher risk for COVID-19. Here are some of the fan reactions online:
Supportive Messages
Many fans tweeted messages like:
“Take care of yourself Janet, your health is what matters most!”
“Stay safe Queen. We’ll be ready when this craziness ends.”
“This sucks but it’s the responsible choice. See you in 2021!”
These responses showed fans cared about Janet’s well-being over the tour itself.
Requests for Refunds
Some fans did inquire about refunds on social media and group chats. However, Janet’s team stated that all original tickets would be honored for the postponed dates in 2021. Most understood the circumstances were out of Janet’s control.
Appreciation for the Update
Fans were grateful that Janet provided direct communication about the status of the tour. After long waiting periods between past album cycles, her transparency was valued.
City | Original 2020 Date | New 2021 Date |
---|---|---|
Miami | June 24 | July 24 |
Orlando | June 26 | July 27 |
Savannah | June 27 | July 29 |
Washington DC | July 1 | August 1 |
New York | July 7 | August 7 |
Rescheduled 2021 Tour Dates
In March 2021, Janet officially announced the rescheduled dates for the “Black Diamond” tour kicking off that July. Here are the new North American dates she confirmed via social media:
City | Original 2020 Date | New 2021 Date |
---|---|---|
Miami | June 24 | July 24 |
Orlando | June 26 | July 27 |
Savannah | June 27 | July 29 |
Washington DC | July 1 | August 1 |
New York | July 7 | August 7 |
Greensboro | July 9 | August 9 |
Atlanta | July 11 | August 11 |
Cincinnati | July 14 | August 14 |
Nashville | July 16 | August 16 |
Memphis | July 18 | August 18 |
St. Louis | July 21 | August 21 |
Kansas City | July 22 | August 22 |
Cleveland | July 25 | August 25 |
Detroit | July 27 | August 27 |
Toronto | July 29 | August 29 |
Pittsburgh | July 31 | August 31 |
Philadelphia | August 1 | September 1 |
Boston | August 3 | September 3 |
San Francisco | August 7 | September 7 |
Phoenix | August 9 | September 9 |
Las Vegas | August 14 | September 14 |
Los Angeles | August 17 | September 17 |
San Diego | August 20 | September 20 |
Dallas | August 27 | September 27 |
Houston | August 28 | September 28 |
Tampa | August 29 | September 29 |
Jacksonville | September 1 | October 1 |
Atlanta | September 3 | October 3 |
Indianapolis | September 5 | October 5 |
Charlotte | September 9 | October 9 |
Miami | September 12 | October 12 |
Fans were thrilled Janet upheld her promise of a tour in 2021. These long-awaited shows will be a celebration after a tough 2020. Barring any new pandemic related issues, Janet is expected to embark on her “Black Diamond” tour as scheduled finally bringing fans and Janet closer than ever before.
Conclusion
Janet Jackson postponed her major “Black Diamond” world tour in 2020 due to the unprecedented coronavirus crisis. This disappointing outcome was unfortunately unavoidable given global health risks, travel restrictions, venue closures, and safety concerns. Janet made the responsible choice and prioritized public health over touring. She suffered financially and missed connecting with fans, but ultimately acted sensibly. Janet confirmed new 2021 dates once conditions improve, to the relief of her loyal fanbase. This long-delayed tour promises to be a triumphant return to glory for the iconic artist.