Justin Timberlake @ MSG, Aug. 15, 2007
(Cred)
(Cred)
Yes, seriously I went to see Justin Timberlake last night. HBO, who was taping the show for a special to air Labor Day weekend, invited me down, and I thought, "Why the hell not?"
And it truly was like nothing I had ever seen before. Two sum up in two words: slick spectacle. To flesh it out in 680 words:
We arrived to find the arena packed with soon-to-be-screaming girls — we skipped openers Good Charlotte, 'cause even for free, I wasn't really interested. The multilevel stage bisected the room along the short axis, creating a setup wherein Justin would be performing in the round. The backing band took the stage to jam up a funk stew — perhaps as if to present their credentials as actual musicians.
Then Justin emerged from the floor center stage, and the girls started their screaming. Would they stop? No they would not.
The show was a mix of numbers which demonstrated Justin's ability to dance in lockstep precision with his team of hoofers — their moves seemed a cross between The Robot and a cheerleading routine, which is not to denigrate the action; the dancing was at least as much a part of the show as the music — and showcased his instrument-playing skills. I personally enjoyed the dance numbers better; I wasn't really there for the music. In fact, I found myself wishing at the start of each song that it would be "Sexyback." To totally spoil it for you, he didn't play that one until last.
Now, this is a man with presentation skills. Looking dapper in a three-piece suit, Justin tore around that stage, self-assuredly owning every move, twitch and gesture. He's got energy, that's for sure. But the whole thing is wrapped up in a slick veneer of showbiz (he didn't grow up Disney for nothing). While Jack White took total command of the venue a few weeks back with just a guitar and his "sister" behind a drumset, I felt none of that kind of emotional intensity from Justin and his crew. It was more a kind of "look at me" spectacle, with Justin et al. flailing around the stage, crazy light show and projection screens being raised and lowered. At times, I felt like I was already watching the HBO show, rather than watching it unfold live.
Which is not to say that it wasn't a fun night. I did enjoy myself, although I'm not sure I never need to do it (attend a high-profile pop concert) again. Unless it's the reunited Spice Girls.
More after the jump...
Keytar! (Cred)
Special guest Timbaland took the stage mid-show, and he and a DJ provided entertainment during the intermission (I'd never been to a show with an intermission before). They played a hip-hop mix with accompanying visuals projected on the big screens. Timba also shouted his own name out, approximately, 7,000 times.
JT and the gang came back from intermission with a costume change (he was wearing a lighter suit) and an amped "Rock Your Body." He then slowed it down for a couple of songs, and he honestly lost some momentum. A large portion of the crowd (myself included) used this as an opportunity for a bathroom/beer break. Which, obvs, was what intermission was for, but I was really into the beats Timba was laying down.
But he brought it back up, and the crowd was hooked again. He brought out a string section and a robed choir (which may have just been his back up singers in robes) and it struck me that this is probably a really expensive show to put on. Also, Justin Timberlake has a lot of songs. He wrapped things up with "Sexyback" and then descended into the stage from whence he came.
After a mercifully quick break, he came back out for his encore and sat down behind a piano. Here he had a few heartfelt words for his fans. "Without you guys, I wouldn't be here, and I thank you for that," he said, or something to that effect. And I truly believe he meant it. He seems like a genuinely nice guy who knows where he came from (truth be told, I'm a little in love with him, if not his music), and if any of you know any differently, please keep it to yourself. Then it was one (song) and then done. Out into the midtown traffic and home.
eh. www.amNY.com
