Headed to Justin Timberlake’s Abu Dhabi concert on Friday? Get ready to “spontaneously combust”.
That’s just one of the glowing reviews given to his year-long 20/20 Experience tour, which he brings to the UAE capital in his second visit there.
Other descriptions include “exhilarating”, “perfection” and “electrifying”.
Consider us excited.
Then again, it’s not exactly surprising. Although 2007 might feel like a very long time ago, memories of Timberlake’s debut UAE concert are still fresh, and if anyone asks me which has been the best concert I’ve seen in the UAE, somehow, my thoughts always jump to JT. Back then, he was a non-stop, body-popping dance machine — and it looks like we’re in for even more of a treat as the 33-year-old has added one double album (last year’s 20/20 Experience) and dozens of high-profile collaborations to his name since then. As we count down the minutes to our own 20/20 experience, here’s five things you should know about the show:
Love him longtime
Previous shows on the tour so far in London, the US and Canada have featured an eclectic 30-song setlist in a 150-minute show — and a 10-minute intermission, too! (Hey, even stars need bathroom breaks. So do their fans.)
The expected setlist
So what will we hear? Yes, fans, Cry Me A River and What Goes Around ... Comes Around have been on the list so far. He’s stacking his hits right up for you to enjoy — this is a celebration of his solo work since 2002’s Justified. That means Rock Your Body, My Love, LoveStoned, Senorita and Summer Love — and all those singles that have been clogging your radio for the past year: Mirrors, Take Back The Night, Suit and Tie and Pusher Love Girl.
Suit and tie
As he moonwalks across the stage, he’s wearing Tom Ford suits, among the 600 pieces Ford has designed for the tour. Timberlake himself has eight different outfits, reports GQ; the other pieces are for the backup dancers, band members and vocalists. “He is a tremendous talent and has a kind of effortless cool that makes classic menswear tailoring modern,” says Ford of JT.
He’s with the band
The Tennessee Kids are the name of Justin’s fun-loving band (and also his fan club), a reference to his home state. In case you were wondering who all the people next to JT were in those videos of him receiving his seven Billboard awards last Sunday — that’s them! The band is helmed by Timberlake’s fellow Memphis musician, guitarist Elliott Ives, who has performed on his last two albums, too.
Time for his friends
Timberlake’s “collaboration” with Michael Jackson is all over the radio right now, and for good reason: Love Never Felt So Good is awesome. While we really, really hope we get a live rendition of it, it’s safe to say there will be at least something from his late influencer during the show: A cover of Jackson’s Human Nature has been a feature of the tour so far. Not enough hip swinging for ys? He’s also been paying tribute to Elvis with a version of Heartbreak Hotel.
