REVIEW: Justin Timberlake brings ‘Man of the Woods’ tour to Toyota Center

He had everything against him. The album got mixed reviews. His vocals were damaged just a few months ago. Many were questionable of his Super Bowl performance, and like all pop stars, the question of his relevance runs through the head of many music lovers.

All that should now be thrown out the window. Justin Timberlake is still the reigning Prince of Pop and the Man of the Woods entertainer showed this in big style in H-Town at the Toyota Center Jan. 22.

If one has ever doubted Timberlake as a performer, his performance at the Toyota Center is sure to prove his power as one of pop music’s greatest performers.  His “Man of the Woods” tour is without a doubt one of the best tours concertgoers can experience this year. The Prince puts on a show filled with amazing vocals, stunning and practically never-ending choreography and instrumentation that gives Timberlake a genuinely organic pop appeal.

Set to perform at 9 p.m., Timberlake took the stage shortly after, with his lateness being one of the only downsides for excited fans. The 38-year-old pop star began the show with the hit single and opening track off his “Man of the Woods” album “Filthy.” The opener was a soaring performance as sonic and powerful as the album version itself. What followed was almost two hours of a 21 song setlist that one might find themselves loving and appreciating even more after the phenomenal performance Timberlake put on without even seeming to break a sweat.

One of the best aspects of the show is Timberlake performing such a mixed variety of his discography. While Timberlake definitely makes an effort to include as many of the notable tracks off “Man of the Woods,” Timberlake seems to know that fans wish to see him perform the modern day classics that made him the star that he is. Timberlake gives riveting performances of “SexyBack,” “My Love,” “Cry Me A River,” and other hits off of his first two albums with the impression that he has clearly got these songs down to a T.

Timberlake seemed quite thrilled and happy to be performing in Houston, constantly interacting and talking with the audience and giving shoutouts to “H-Town,” even revealing one of the members his band, The Tennessee Kids, as a Houston native.

The audience proved to be an absolutely electrified, energetic and very receptive crowd, so full of energy that Timberlake remarked, “If this is how you guys are on a weekday, we’re coming back on the f—ing weekend.”

Timberlake’s thrill to be in the south could also be seen in his mixing of Texas-inspired lyrics into some of his songs such as “Lovestoned.”

Timberlake brings his themes from “Man of the Woods” to the stage in an interesting way, setting up leafless trees around the stage, and even having a campfire during the performance of “Morning Light” in which backup dancers perform and act out a campfire scene while media relating to romance plays on large screens.

Nick Whitehouse, creative producer/lighting designer for the tour noted that the stage design is based off on the floodplain maps of the Mississippi River, which runs through Justin Timberlake’s hometown Memphis, Tennessee.

What will truly blow fans away is Timberlake’s phenomenal voice, which proves to be in amazing shape, with him never hesitating to give the audience a wonderful high note during his best songs.

While Timberlake gives a number of spectacular and consistent performances, Timberlake’s best performance of the night was arguably “Mirrors,” which ended on a climatic note with the entire audience singing the song and clapping.

After his stunning “Mirrors” performance, one might think that this was the end of an already amazing concert, but Timberlake was only halfway through. At this point, Timberlake took a slight break from dancing to deliver some amazing acoustic performances backed by The Tennessee Kids and Timberlake’s own guitar playing. Audiences were treated to wonderful acoustic soul infused renditions of “Drink You Away,” “Until the End of Time,” “Morning Light,” and “What Goes Around Comes Around.” What followed was a powerful heartfelt performance of Timberlake’s latest hit single off his new album “Say Something” in which Timberlake truly channels his southern roots

After nearly two hours, pop’s Prince concluded his performance with the fitting “Can’t Stop the Feeling” as his closing song which filled the stadium with the exact kind of energy and feel good vibe that one expects and gets from this wonderful song.

Overall, Timberlake’s “Man of the Woods” concert is one that all fans and attendees will enjoy as the tour continues. Anyone who thinks Timberlake may be old news is sure to be given a run for their money as he gives a powerful and consistently entertaining performance that the King of Pop Michael Jackson would have been proud of.

Timberlake’s band The Tennessee Kids deserve much recognition and credit for the funk, soul, rock and southern influence they bring to the performances. Both music lovers and concert goers who are looking for an energetic concert filled with great authentic vocals and wonderful quality performance are sure to enjoy Timberlake’s “Man of the Woods” tour.

For more information on future tours for Timberlake, visit https://www.justintimberlake.com