Someone standing in front of you will record the entire thing on their smartphone
Yes, we get it, you're at the first Justin Timberlake show in New Zealand in seven years. Do you really have to film every minute of it on your phone? Screens were visible throughout Vector Arena at Timberlake's first concert last night, so be prepared to move, complain, or watch the show through a tiny screen if you find your vision impaired. But the biggest screen of all was behind the pop star up on stage, which is used to full effect throughout the show. Even if you're at the back, you should have a decent view.
You will be asked to be Justin's back up singer
Study up on your Timberlake lyrical knowledge and practice performing with a microphone in the mirror - you will be asked to sing. Justin doesn't give you much notice either, with a simple, "Your turn" given to the crowd before a big chorus. That's fine if it's a well-known tune like
Rock Your Body
, but it's a little harder if it's the bridge for a falsetto-funk-fest like
Take Back the Night
. So, do your homework.
If it's your birthday, make sure you tell Justin
Kiwi fan Krishna was celebrating her 21st, so she took along a sign saying so and stood in the front row holding it above her head. It worked Halfway through the set, Timberlake
spotted her, grabbed her phone and took a selfie with her.
. That's something to tell the grandkids.
Timberlake will tease you
Justin recorded an amazing hook for Jay Z's stunning single
Holy Grail
, a song so powerful the rapper used it to open his most recent album and praised for delivering something we'd yet seen from the pop star. He's right: when Timberlake sang the intro to
Holy Grail
last night it sent chills down the spine - but he cut it short just before that supersonic beat kicked in. We have holograms now - couldn't Jay Z have beamed in for a duet?
Cry Me a River is still the greatest Justin Timberlake song ever
The song rumoured to be about Justin's relationship breakdown with Britney Spears is the centrepiece of his live show. It comes two-thirds of the way through the nearly two-hour set, and you'll want to get prepared - it's an all-in blockbuster with stunning visuals that nearly blew Vector's roof off. A bit like the man himself.
* Read a full review of Timberlake's first NZ show here.
Who: Justin Timberlake
Where: Vector Arena
When: Tonight and Wednesday.
- nzherald.co.nz