CONCERT REVIEW: MAN OF THE WOODS TOUR / JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE / MAN OF THE WOODS TOUR

JUNE 2ND 2018 / PHILADELPHIA, PA

As the lights slowly dimmed and the roaring intro to "Filthy" began, the entire arena anticipated the first sight of Justin Timberlake. I watched from the center of the end of river-shaped stage as Justin finally appeared from a bright white light and smoke, enthralling the crowd with a slightly different version of the lead off single. Along with a crew of dancers, he made his way to the front stage and went into "Midnight Summer Jam", which sent the crowd into an even louder eruption. The track, arguably one of the best of Timberlake's current album, Man Of The Woods, did its job perfectly, getting the people psyched for a show that winds and twists its followers into a summer-esque journey through the woods. After making his way back to the main stage, Justin performed two of his biggest hits, "LoveStoned" and "SexyBack", off the FutureSex/LoveSounds album, both featuring a stunning lighting and laser production display.

The show weaved it's way back down the river to the sounds of the tour's title track, "Man Of The Woods" and one of ELECTRIC's MOTW favorites, "Higher Higher". Justin then led the crowd into a dance party with his Justified hit "Señorita", while playing his infamous upright piano. The next sequence, a personal favorite of the show, began with a highly choreographed performance of The 20/20 Experience's "Suit & Tie" at the end front of the stage aka the end of the river. This was followed by "My Love" which featured excerpts of Will Smith's famous Philly-inspired "Fresh Prince", as a nod to the city while Justin played a synth.

Then, suddenly, the arena went dark, as white smoke filled the stage and rain simulated on the scrims above as they lowered closer to the stage and the music to "Cry Me A River" began. In all honesty, the production gave you a surge in emotion, incredible visuals combined with the instrumentals paved the way for a surprisingly eerie vibe. The conclusion of the track seamlessly weaved into the hit single, "Mirrors", which had visuals that were something unexplainable. As everyone in the show gathered on the center bar stage, The Shadowboxers also returned to the stage for a celebratory shot at the bar, while JT and The Tennessee Kids sang "Drink You Away".

The Tennessee Kids wrapped up the fan-favorite "Drink You Away" while members of the band and dancers made their way to the front end of the stage while a campsite fire was set up as the end of the river (aka the campsite) as a video interlude projected on the lowered scrims that had descended from above. The ensemble performed acoustic versions of "Flannel" and "Until The End of Time" before diving into a medley of covers, which not only shined Justin's talents, but also showcased the backup singers' vocals as well. The medley, which consisted of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams", Lauryn Hill's "Ex-Factor", the infamous "Come Together" track by The Beatles, and John Denver's "Thank God I'm A Country Boy". This sequence allowed for the group to move about the campsite to provide the ultimate real-life camping experience. The campfire set concluded with "Morning Light" and an acoustic version of "What Goes Around... Comes Around".

Back on the main stage, Justin and the band flowed into the beloved Man Of The Woods single, "Say Something". The track, which features country superstar Chris Stapleton, did not lose even the slightest bit of it's essence with a solo Timberlake live version. The show then weaved its way back and forth through the river with performances of "Montana", "Summer Love", and "Rock Your Body". The latter also featured Justin descending into the bar pit for a quick in crowd appearance on a "Rock Your Body" video-inspired color lit dance floor.

The production made its way back down to the end of the river (the front stage) where Justin energized the crowd with "Supplies" and his classic solo career lead off single "Like I Love You". I have to note that I was happily surprised to see "LILY" performed at the Philly show, as it was only added in for select shows. Then, suddenly, it was the time everyone dreaded, the last song of the night. The show was concluded with an extended version of Justin's "Can't Stop The Feeling" from the 2016 motion picture, Trolls.

As Timberlake prepared to exit the stage for the last time, his final note to the sold out arena was "Fly Eagles Fly", a nod to not only the city's Super Bowl win just a few short months prior, but most likely also a nod to his own 2018 Super Bowl headlining performance, which we have no doubt charged the team into a post-halftime win.

*Click through the photo gallery below*

SETLIST:

Filthy

Midnight Summer Jam

LoveStoned

SexyBack

Man Of The Woods

Higher Higher

Senorita

Suit & Tie

My Love (with excerpt of "Fresh Prince Of Bel Air")

Cry Me A River

Mirrors

Drink You Away

Flannel (acoustic)

Until The End Of Time (acoustic)

*Medley Start*

Dreams (Fleetwood Mac)

Ex-Factor (Lauryn Hill)

Come Together (The Beatles)

Thank God I'm A Country Boy (John Denver)

*Medley End*

Morning Light (acoustic)

What Goes Around... Comes Around (acoustic)

Say Something

Montana

Summer Love

Rock Your Body

Supplies

Like I Love You

Can't Stop The Feeling

The show, very much removed from the vibe of Timberlake's last tour, The 20/20 Experience Tour, was something in its own realm. The stage, produced to be reminiscent of a river with campsites along the way truly brought to life the Man Of The Woods essence. The stage features trees, lighting and lasers, three dozen scrims that rose above or lowered when needed, and a larger then life MOTW emblem at the main stage. In all honesty, with the mark that was left on us after seeing The 20/20 Tour four times, we were a bit skeptic that anything could ever live up to it, but after seeing the MOTW Tour in person, we were incredibly impressed. We, here at ELECTRIC, are looking forward to attending the show again on the next U.S. Leg.

*Be sure to click on the orange links throughout the piece for a further exploration of Justin Timberlake's music catalog*