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San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Justin Timberlake at BottleRock Napa Valley marks a major comeback after a tumultuous year
Justin Timberlake closed the final date of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour on a high note during his BottleRock Napa Valley debut. His triumphant headlining set on Saturday, May 24, marked the second day of the Wine Country festival and the end of a year-long global tour in support of his 2024 album 'Everything I Thought It Was.' Over the course of two hours, the Memphis-born pop star offered a dynamic blend of new and classic hits, displaying his trademark energy, impeccable choreography and smooth falsetto vocals. Backed by his band, the Tennessee Kids, and five backup dancers, Timberlake orchestrated a vibrant, high-octane show that captivated the sold-out festival crowd. Songs like 'Mirrors,' 'My Love' and 'Can't Stop the Feeling' fueled the euphoric atmosphere, while an electric brass section and agile dancers added visual flair. The show came after a particularly tumultuous period for Timberlake, including several canceled concerts earlier in the year due to health issues, as well as a DUI arrest last June. But any lingering controversy seemed to dissipate in Napa. Timberlake spoke to the crowd with equal measures of sincerity and whimsy. 'I wish you all a healthy weekend with as little tannins as possible,' he quipped, describing the bitter compounds in wine. He also cheekily wore a T-shirt bearing a vintage pin-up shot of his wife, actress Jessica Biel, that, on first glance, many in the audience assumed depicted his ex, Britney Spears, following her recent headline-grabbing exploits. While his latest album received mixed reviews, the live setting breathed new life into tracks like 'Selfish' and 'Play,' which were well-received by the crowd. Older hits such as 'Cry Me A River' and 'SexyBack' stirred a rush of nostalgia that earned cheers at every turn. Timberlake, who has evolved into a polished and versatile performer over his 30-year career, demonstrated his enduring appeal and growth as an artist. The night was a reminder of his musical and cultural influence, leaving fans excited for what comes next. 'I know I'll see you again someday,' Timberlake assured fans. He capped off an action-packed day at BottleRock, which also featured a high-energy set by up-and-coming pop sensation Benson Boone, a surprisingly solid performance by actor-turned-singer Kate Hudson, and a highly anticipated reunion performance by 4 Non Blondes, who marked their first appearance in 30 years. Their rendition of 'What's Up?' sparked one of the loudest singalongs in BottleRock history. Elsewhere, the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage was alive with cooking demonstrations from stars like Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale and 'Modern Family' star Adam Devine, along with a parade of 'Top Chef' stars including Kristen KishBrooke Williamson and brothers Michael and Bryan Voltaggio.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Justin Timberlake plays Detroit: A young sensation finds his way to a middle-age sweet spot
A suave and polished Justin Timberlake commanded the Little Caesars Arena stage Thursday night with a veteran's poise, playing to a capacity crowd downtown in his latest Detroit visit. The 44-year-old pop star was making good on a show originally scheduled for October, when he was abruptly sidelined by a double whammy of bronchitis and laryngitis. Those issues — along with a subsequent back injury — seemed well behind him inside LCA, where Timberlake served up reliably agile vocals, taut dance moves and a good-natured rapport with fans down front. The postponement meant Detroit was tucked into the tail end of the U.S. leg of Timberlake's long-running Forget Tomorrow World Tour, whose accompanying album, 'Everything I Thought It Was,' supplied a healthy portion of Thursday's set list. Beyond that, the evening amounted to a live, upbeat greatest-hits compilation, showcasing the biggies from his 23-year post-'N Sync solo career. Now more than 90 dates into the tour, Timberlake and company arrived in the Motor City a well-drilled unit: While never quite hitting a transcendent sixth gear, the show delivered a proficient and consistently entertaining performance from one of the 21st century's defining pop figures — a guy whose second-nature stage chops have been honed since childhood. Timberlake's big bow to the audience preceded the opening twofer of 'No Angels' and 'LoveStoned,' whose warm, '70s-suffused vibes soon gave way to the sleeker futurism of 'My Love.' That set the tone for the two-hour show: mingling Timberlake's old-school influences with the innovative R&B soundscapes crafted alongside the likes of producer Timbaland. Unlike many modern pop concerts, where supporting band members are often cloaked in the shadows or even shoved out of sight altogether, Timberlake's musicians — his much-loved Tennessee Kids — were in the thick of the action throughout. Bolstered by a horn section and three backing vocalists, the lively outfit lent a visually dynamic flourish alongside Timberlake and his small cast of dancers. The stage production was relatively sparse in a show that relied on Timberlake's songs and showmanship to make its impact. His vocals came with tight little melismatic runs while his signature falsetto did its thing ('My Love,' 'Drown'), and he got plenty of audience singing support on older hits such as 'Cry Me a River' and 'Until the End of Time.' Material from his 2024 album held its own while Timberlake quietly drew links between it and his past work — pairing the new 'Infinity Sex' with 2006's 'FutureSex/LoveSound,' for instance, in a tidy musical tandem. Twenty-seven years after his inaugural Detroit show amid the frenzy of 'N Sync, Timberlake displayed the artistic maturity he has since come to embody. It was most apparent during a stretch on a B-stage situated among fans on the LCA floor, an intimate and relaxed segment capped by 'Selfish' and 'What Goes Around … Comes Around,' with the singer on acoustic guitar. From there, it was on to a flashy, dance-heavy finale as the buoyant, sunshine-in-your-pocket charm of 'Can't Stop the Feeling!' took Timberlake back to the main stage to close out the regular set with 'Rock Your Body' and 'SexyBack.' Nearly three decades after breaking out as a teen sensation, Timberlake may no longer be a pacesetter for the pop zeitgeist. But it's clear he is finding his way to a productive and enduring career lane — a once-precocious young star now thriving as a middle-aged veteran with plenty left to give. Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Justin Timberlake plays Detroit: Pop star finds middle-age sweet spot
Chicago Tribune
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Review: Justin Timberlake arrives in Chicago, an artist grown up
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.
