Like the recurring bolt of lightning pattern on his clothing and props, Justin Timberlake lit up the Palace of Auburn Hills on Monday.
Returning to Michigan for the first time since last summer’s double-headlining bill with Jay Z at Ford Field, Timberlake packed the Palace for a stop on his “The 20/20 Experience World Tour.” A full 2½ hours, the show was punctuated with elaborate, colorful light displays, a moving glass platform and Timberlake’s fancy footwork that nearly rivaled the skills of his backup dancers.
Although the Palace declined to provide exact attendance records, spare seats were few and far between.
“We’re excited to be back here with you — we couldn’t take it, I just had to come back,” said Timberlake at the start of the show, after bowing repeatedly and mouthing the word “wow” as the audience cheered at his entrance.
The show started out with a bang as Timberlake launched into an impeccably choreographed “Pusher Love Girl,” one of the 11 songs from the smash 2013 album “The 20/20 Experience” that he performed.
He also belted out many of his most popular songs from previous albums, including “Rock Your Body,” “Cry Me A River” and “Senorita” (from 2002 album “Justified”) and “Summer Love/Set the Mood (Prelude),” “Until the End of Time,” and the iconic “SexyBack” (from 2006 album “FutureSex/LoveSounds”). Timberlake even broke out his guitar for the first half of an acoustic version of “What Goes Around …/… Comes Around”.
His passion for playing the Motor City didn’t fizzle as the show progressed. In the second half, Timberlake grabbed a drink and made a toast to Detroit.
“We’re about to toast to some of the realest people in the world: to family, to Motown, to Rock City and Motor City,” he said. “Detroit, we love you.”
And his audience reciprocated.
“He’s a great example of a successful artist — he isn’t into drugs, he doesn’t have bad press and he’s down to earth,” said Daniella Torres, a 19-year-old from Detroit who says she has listened to Timberlake since she was 5 years old.
Calling the show “jaw-dropping,” Torres said her favorite part of watching Timberlake is his display of energy.
Shanaviah Canales, a 38-year-old from Muskegon, agreed.
“I love his clean-cut style, both in music and looks,” said Canales. “I think he’s being himself—he doesn’t go over the top.”
Credit: Annabel Ames, Detroit Free Press
