Justin Timberlake
Man In The Woods Tour
Birmingham Arena
27.08.2018
Where do I start ? I've always wanted to see 'Mr Timberlake' play live since I watched the 'Future Sex Love Sounds Tour' on TV from his second album years ago ,he looked multi -talented and fascinating to watch, then he worked with 'Madonna' which only added to the appeal.
The 20/20 Tour was very expensive, I didn't like the stage set up of tables and Vip pits, (It is a gig right ?) so I missed out on 'Justin' tickets by choice, 4 years later he's back with a brand new sound with 'Man In The Woods', I heard he was touring this year and I went for it as there was more choice this time, it wasn't complex pricing.
The Tour was postponed from mid July to August he cancelled one date in Birmingham luckily not mine, he re-scheduled it to 27th August (My Birthday), I arrive early morning to see what happy campers are greeting me in the queue, I was shocked to find nobody here except a huge 25 ft Lego Giraffe, the weather is not particularly warm not cold but not cheerful either, so lucky I brought layers and warmers.
I'm no1 in the GA queue everyone is excited about the show,one fan even has a layout of the stage to the song numbers of where 'Justin' appears on each bit of the stage, he's from 'Lithuania' at least now I know where I'm aiming to stand tonight, what a guy that is dedication, by 6pm we're all wristbanded and ready to go.
It's the biggest walkway I've seen looks very complex and ambitious with Vip Bar in the middle just behind me,I could almost be in the Vip pit it's not far from where I'm standing without paying nearly a grand to drink shots and get goodies in a Vip package and sit on a stool for the duration of the show.
There's a DJ onstage playing 'Missy Elliot','Pitbull' (yes him again), 'Flo-Rida','Usher' (I know what you're thinking.. 'You' don't like R&B you're right but I don't mind few dancy numbers, the party's started).
The DJ asks the crowd "Anyone here tonight celebrating a Birthday get your hands up"!! (I decline) "Anyone want to come up to the bar area who's 'Justin's biggest fan get your hands up !! drinks on us "Come on Birmingham"!! there's 3 places to give away, (later more places) DJ wanders along the walkway (I still decline).
'50 cent' is blasting out and everyone here in my group of people is singing and pointing "It's Your Birthday" I'm not going in that Pit and missing the action on stage ahead of me... just as well there was a fight yep a full on physical scuffle/scrap between a man and a woman and her man ,and the show hadn't even started they were led out by security -what a waste of money.
In between the DJ a young 'Justin A-Like' called 'Bazzi' he's very much 'Justin's prodigy it turns out he's signed to 'Justin's label, he's playing on the B Stage at the back I can only see him on huge draped LCD screens projecting him performing to the crowd at what I term the back of the arena, I hope that won't happen too much with JT.
After 'Bazzi' finishes the DJ comes on again to play a couple more tunes,everyone is excited for the main event knowing in minutes 'Justin' will be standing on that stage.
Around 9pm there's movement on the main stage 'Justin's band of musicians walk up to the main stage and wave, there is a full live band of musicians on Bass, Guitars, Drums, even Bongos and Trumpeters,then 'Justin's funky dancers appear both Male and Female one by one... and theres a pause as a familiar shadow appears undercover by dry ice Yes it's 'Justin ' himself, he's in a Blue denim jacket, baggy black trousers, orange trainers looking uber cool and casual.
Immediately he's on the main stage with his moves and his dancers working with him kicking off with 'Filthy', he's then dancing and singing live 'Love Stoned' when he passes me on the walkway it's a low walkway he basically is right alongside us on the barrier but as quick as a flash he's off to the other end to greet the crowd on the other side ,he high fives a few and flirts with some girls, they are mainly in the corner of the walkway and he's leading his dancers back over again but so fast he barely glimpses me.
Next up my absolute fav 'Sexyback' it's a funky jazzed up version, later 'Justin' is on stage with a specially designed Keyboard/Piano, he asks us to sing along with him if we know the lyrics.. from 'Justified' it's 'Senorita' followed by 'Suit & Tie',I'm still waiting for my moment to greet 'Justin' myself he's so quick over that walkway.
His dancers male dancer one in particular with a trilby hat on makes a grab for my hand (am I dreaming, I think), I look at him thinking WTF, I'm not getting on stage , but I relaxed to find out he kissed me on the hand and wandered off stage, well I never of course I wished it was 'Justin' ha .
Next half more amazing dancing and 'Justin' playing an album fav from 'Future Sex Love Sounds' 'My Love' followed by 'Cry Me A River' where 'Justin' actually steps down in front of me he looks nervous as the crowd try to reach out for him, he glance's at my t-shirt didn't look too amused I guess it was a 'Madonna' t-shirt ..have they not made up yet oh dear, some of his fans reach out and manages to hold his hand I just about manage to touch his hand with all the hysteria around me .
The one time he was in front of me with his dancer still and close up he didn't make eye contact with anyone in the crowd and he did'nt look relaxed, I forgot its not 'Manchester' the wild abandon of the crowd is not too abundant tonight, I chose not to take any close ups, chosing instead to be in the moment but he looked like a startled android.
It was off to the other side again for 'Mirrors' love that song,it was then 2 songs later and a change in theme with 'Justin' a music t-shirt of 'The Cure' in denim jeans and flowery jacket, another change of trainers lime green in colour still 'Nike's and he's with an acoustic guitar, he later goes down to the B stage to an artificial campfire scene with some session singers, and the bloke he sang with at the 'Brit's earlier this year,he covered 'Ex Factor' by 'Lauren Hill' and 'Come Together' by 'The Beatles' ...what is it this year ....
They performed my fav song 'What Goes Around Comes Around' again not within shot of us at the front instead having to watch on screens again, later on when the pace pics up again 'Rock Your Body' ,he played all the songs I wanted to hear , just some were not in front of me which was a bit annoying 'Like I Love You' was in there too.
He ended with an extended version of 'Can't Stop The Feeling', with his musicians and dancers all very friendly to the crowd as they danced their way with 'Justin' to the main stage and one final bow from the whole crew and it was over I don't recall confetti or streamers either.
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