So now that I've given you some (probably unwanted) context, my mum and I found our (surprisingly high up) seats and prepared ourselves for what would be one heck of a show! The staging/set design was very unexpected. The backdrop of the stage was tiled in a computerised patchwork of clear hexagons, upon which moving images, of various shapes and screws from the front of the 20/20 experience album artwork, were projected. But more interestingly, there were no screens at the side of the stage so that the people that had higher seats (such as ourselves), could see the highly desired close up shots of Mr Timberlake. However, this problem was soon abolished when we realised that in the two top corners of the hexagonal backdrop, there were videos and constant close up's of what was going on on stage. (This excited my Mum and I way more than it should have..) And of course his vast array of incredibly talented musicians and backing vocalists could be seen upon sparkling podiums, marked with those famous 'JT' initials.
He started his set with my most recently acquired favourite off of the album, 'Pusher Love Girl' he entered the stage rather dramatically, accompanied by a sharp flash of lights, removal of the curtain and of course a single spotlight, only to be greeted by thousands of screaming women AND MEN may I add, (I have proof, as the gentleman next to me projected a very 'manly' half scream/half hooting sound). However he contrasted this dramatic entrance by singing the first verse completely acapella which was faultless as expected.
The show continued in a seamless fashion, as classics such as Rock Your Body and Like I Love You were accompanied by slick dance moves from the man himself and his dancers. Timberlake continued this run of hits with Lovestoned, My Love and my personal favourite, Señorita. He wasted no time in showing off his vast array of musical talents as he began playing the famous opening keys to the seemingly Spanish sounding hit, behind his piano, as his backing vocalists perfectly harmonised throughout. And of course when it came to the bridge of the song, "manly" reciprocations of "It feels like something's heating up can I leave with you?" were closely followed by high pitched (and well practiced may I add) squeals of, "I don't know what I'm thinking 'bout really leaving with you."
In a cyclical fashion, he returned to some of his newer material from The 20/20 Experience album such as crowd favourite, Suit and Tie in which the brass players in his band really brought the song to life with the ensemble of horns and trumpets. Even from the top of the arena I could see how much the musicians absolutely loved their job's and knew how privileged they were. They could be seen dancing around and laughing and grinning amongst themselves and Justin, the chemistry between everyone on stage was immediately tangible, straight from the off.
Justin floated above the screaming crowd on a moving platform as he livened the show up with tribal hit Let The Groove Get In. Considering the were on a moving stage, Justin and his dancers were fearless with their dance moves, constantly moving back and forth across the stage with the occasional jump, flip or spin (definitely not for the fainthearted!) I am sure Justin was reassured by the fact that if he fell off of the stage, there would be hundreds of screaming fans there to cushion his fall!
Once he had safely transitioned to the small stage towards the back of the floor seats, he slowed the show down and performed his newly released love song, Not A Bad Thing which triggered swooning women and lots of affectionate couples.. He then continued, the small stage set with an absolutely beautiful cover of Micheal Jackson's Human Nature, this lead me to believe that he would continue with the MJ theme and perform the very newly released collaboration Love Never Felt So Good, but much to my dismay, there was no such performance.
However he made his way back to the main stage after he christned the VIP bar with his presence, as he pranced and danced on top of the bar and shook the hands of adoring fans. There was also a very heartwarming moment where Justin, lifted a young boy (dressed like him in his My Love video, with the bowler hat and waistcoat) up on stage with him and took a selfie (that's right I said it) with the young boy's iPhone which we were later informed, was encased in a Justin Timberlake phone case! I think it was safe to say that Justin was flattered with his new found, slightly younger, doppleganger!
He performed hits such as Sexyback and a cover of Bell Biv Davoe's- That Girl Is Posion much to my mum's delight. He closed the show of course, with his most loved song off of his new album, Mirrors. As soon as the first few notes came in, the crowd screamed and sung along with every single word, even as he continued the already 6 minute long song, on for another 2-3 minutes, but I wasn't complaining! We filed out of the O2, surrounded by nothing but positive critique of the phemonemal show that they had just witnessed.
Rating: 5/5
