Justin Timberlake: 20/20 Experience Tour
26.09.2014 Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Justin Timberlake returned to Brisbane at the top of his game. Playing two nights at the Entertainment Centre: this was a gig that had ‘event’ stamped all over it. Night one was absolutely packed to the rafters. The stage set was sheer art deco and had a genuine 1930’s feel to it … with a twist. JT appeared on stage in silhouette and then the band rose through the floor to a thunderous reception. This was no lightweight band: Timberlake’s posse included backing singers, three keyboards, a phalanx of backing singers and a horn section.
Kicking off with Pusher Love Girl, before a quick segue into Gimme What I Don’t Know (I Want), Timberlake had the venue on its feet by the time Rock Your Body rolled around. Visually, it looked stunning. Timberlake was in fine voice throughout, but, at time, the mix was muddy… and super bass heavy.
The hits kept coming as JT took the opportunity to bust those trademark dance moves. My Love, an elongated reworking of TKO and Summer Love kept the mood distinctly ‘up’. After a cover of Jay Z’s Holy Grail, Timberlake closed the first half with his signature hit, Cry Me A River.
Post interval saw a more stripped back sound take over. Only When I Walk Away was followed by Drink You Away. The secret star of the show was the stage itself. As the front of the stage (yes, the full length of the stage) broke away … it rose above the audience and moved across the entirety of the floor space. Quite a spectacle, for a few songs, the back of the room was now the best seat in the house. Timberlake was adept at mixing things up. Alongside his own material, he dropped in some terrific covers. After his own Senorita and Let The Groove In, he grabbed an acoustic guitar for a take on Elvis’ Heartbreak Hotel. The back of the floor was converted to the coolest bar in Brisbane and Timberlake was holding court.
Still at the back and then making his way back towards the original centre stage, Timberlake dipped into Not A Bad Thing and What Goes Around… Comes Around: he split the pair up with a cover of Michael Jackson’s Human Nature and Kool & The Gang’s Jungle Boogie.
A stunning gig, Timberlake had the audience in the palm of his hand. Relatively light on small talk, he let the music do the talking. It’s hard to pick favourites, though Suit & Tie was an absolute knock out. SexyBack was next and finally the closer, Mirrors. Justin: you came, you rocked and don’t leave it so long next time. Wow.
Mitchell Peters
