Review: Justin Timberlake arrives in Chicago, an artist grown up

Chicago Tribune

15-02-2025

Justin Timberlake knows who he is.
After nearly 30 years in the game, he's established himself as a perfectly fine dancer, a charming (if not a little smarmy) personality, and a compelling white soul figure for generations who want their R&B and pop to go down smoothly. And unsurprisingly, after a few public fumbles, Timberlake has leaned into this identity rather than shy away from it.
That was the main takeaway from his sold-out Valentine's Day concert at the United Center Friday. The concert, originally scheduled for last Oct. 27, was the 90th performance as part of his 'Forget Tomorrow' world tour, which kicked off last year.
For a man who so firmly dominated pop music in the 2000s and early 2010s, Timberlake's stage setup was relatively simple. Yes, there was a mega screen for fans in the rafters to see the action on stage, but the Timberlake of 2025 is less interested in theatrics.
He doesn't need to do multiple flashy costume changes or take off his shirt to appeal to the fans. No, this is a grown man who has earned a grown audience. Most of the people who were there were probably in their late 30s to early 50s. They're established. They have families and kids. They grew up, just like Timberlake.
It's all about the music.
Throughout the show, I couldn't help but think about his artistic identity. Timberlake is in a phase of his career where most similar musicians would begin to fade out. Their concerts are not necessarily a showcase for their newer albums but a rewind through their greatest hits. Some call it a legacy act. But Justin's still got a few surprises up his sleeve.
Most notably, the concert felt as much like a showcase for Timberlake as it was for his band, the Tennessee Kids. Rather than keep the band members hidden off stage or solely towards the back, he often brought them out to the front, like during 'Suit & Tie' or during 'Sanctified,' a newer track from his 2024 album, 'Everything I Thought It Was.'
In that sense, everything came together perfectly, from band members to dancers to Timberlake. It was a sweet, lovely, community-oriented concert experience, one where it's not just about Timberlake the mega solo star. It's also about the people behind the scenes who have helped make Timberlake such a compelling figure.
If a song was especially upbeat, like 'Señorita,' 'Like I Love You,' or 'Rock Your Body,' dancing and choreography was expected. 'Like I Love You,' his debut solo single, was a straightforward and enjoyable treat. Yet, there were a few surprises included too, including the underrated single 'Summer Love' and the unique Timbaland-meets-Motown track 'Pusher Love Girl' off of 'The 20/20 Experience.' Later, he performed a slowed down version of 'My Love,' deconstructing the synth-heavy, bombastic track and refocusing it into a showcase for a voice that often got washed out during other songs.
About halfway through the evening, Timberlake left the larger main stage with band members and dancers and walked through the main floor past cheering audience members who asked for and received high fives or took selfies with him. He landed on a smaller circular stage in the back of the arena where his opening DJ had performed.
It was here where Timberlake got a little more loose and authentic, transitioning between playing his guitar, performing on the piano, or simply singing with his backing band. Songs like 'Flame,' off of 'Everything I Thought It Was,' and 'Say Something,' his duet with Chris Stapleton, were given room to breathe and shine. These tracks, stemming from the latter half of his career, may not embody the traditional showmanship Timberlake is known for, but they feel like genuine reflections of who he is as an artist.
He later transitioned back to his R&B hits and sounded as strong and sharp as ever on 'Until the End of Time.' Fans held up pink signs that said, 'U R loved until the end of time.' It was a heartfelt moment that Timberlake felt as well.
'Y'all made a Tennessee boy's dream come true,' Timberlake said.
'Drown,' another stellar moment during the evening, was a vocal smash and a compelling crescendo into the highlight of the night for me, 'Cry Me a River,' which Timberlake performed on the main stage. During the track, the oversized stage screens displayed a raging storm at sea with rushing waters. The moveable rectangular screen soon began to tilt and twist, getting what seemed to be dangerously close to Timberlake and his dancers and the band as they glided across the stage. It was a tightly choreographed moment that made the crowd go wild, and proved that when Timberlake wants to home in on the theatrics, he can do so with ease.
That's not a bad thing. The flashy pop star we once knew is not a true representation of who Timberlake is as an artist. This vibey, fluid, charismatic, relaxed showman is the true Justin Timberlake, one who just wants to get down with his band and have a little bit of fun.