JillThe theme of #JacksonWang 's latest album was also the theme of the concert: MagicMan II.
My take on it: MM1 was the over-the-top successful performer, putting on the show. MM2 is the death of that performer - on stage, as a performance for fans, but not necessarily with the MagicMan's knowing consent - and then working through that trauma and climbing up out of it more raw but more real.
"Hate to Love" still echoes in my head, days later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd71HoHirUI
Jackson Wang - Hate to Love (Official Music Video)
The theme I think #JacksonWang wanted fans to come away with is for us to love ourselves. Treat ourselves better. Stop doing so much for others at the detriment of ourselves. Being selfish is ok.
Multiple times he told us, "The world is already burning. Treat yourself better."
I'm trying to take that advice to heart.
The imagery of #JacksonWang 's "High Alone" music video was prominent through much of the show. The water tank, mirror images, being alone, pounding on the glass to get out...
It was hard as a literal audience member watching him perform and show this video in which audience members watch MagicMan drown in front of them.
(CW intense imagery of blood, death, drowning)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2ILvf-JKBY
Jackson Wang - High Alone (Official Music Video)
#JacksonWang talked about his healing process. Being honest with himself, his friends, and his family. Spending more time with his parents. Defining boundaries and, "gotta be a dick sometimes."
He also literally gave at least 5 different fans very sensuous lap dances on stage. I appreciate defining your boundaries in order to be more free in what you want. How those fans did not immediately perish, arms wrapped around his sweaty torso, I do not know.
"GBAD" music video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeoRk6dDSFQ
Jackson Wang - GBAD (Official Music Video)
#JacksonWang showed a video full of clips and pictures of him healing himself, smiling and laughing with friends, late nights recording songs, his Olympic fencing win, childhood medals, his parents, his newborn photo, his parents as kids... (he looks a lot like his mom)
This was the section that had me bawling. Singing about how lonely he was. Singing "Made Me A Man." I was emotionally raw.
Jackson Wang - Made Me a Man (Official Music Video)
Somehow, he switched from moving us to tears to having a big dance party on stage, grabbing dozens of random fans from around the arena - "the very beautiful lady in the stripes," "you and your wife," "the red tank top at the very back" - and just having a fantastic time? Confetti blasted multiple times. He saw a childhood friend Leslie near the front row...
He said his next album would probably be a sexy party. 😁 No longer MagicMan. Now J.Wang.
#JacksonWang - Let Loose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrtYrPSI8Pw
Rikki Don't Lose That Number