“We are JT and the Tennessee Kids!” declares Justin Timberlake to a buzzing Lytham Green crowd, as his band storms the stage for a whirlwind 90-minute set packed with hits, energy, and seamless showmanship.
Before the pop icon takes over, UK chart-topper Jess Glynne treats the already packed arena to a solid hour-long set. Any doubts about how polished pop tracks might translate live are quickly dismissed. Glynne, backed by a full band and backing vocalists, breathes new life into her studio hits. Not that she needs the support—her vocals are pitch-perfect as she belts out crowd-pleasers like “Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself,” “Rather Be,” and the universally loved “Hold My Hand.” By the end of her set, the audience is fully warmed up and ready for the main event.
Timberlake’s performance is a masterclass in pop showmanship. He sings, dances, and switches between guitar and keyboard effortlessly, but it’s a team effort. The Tennessee Kids elevate the production with dynamic reworkings of his biggest tracks. Opening with “Mirrors,” the crowd is instantly hooked, swept up in a fast-paced blur of energy and nostalgia.
Midway through “Cry Me a River,” the PA system briefly cuts out — but it barely matters. The band, still hearing the track through their earpieces, plays on, while the crowd turns into a makeshift choir, singing the rest of the song a cappella. It’s a magical moment that proves the power of live music.
At 44, Timberlake moves with the precision and energy of someone half his age, but with the confidence and polish that only comes with experience. He knows exactly how to work a crowd—but the real secret weapon is his band. The extended stage allows the brass section and backing singers to strut, dance, and interact with the audience, serving as hype crew and soul-infused glue holding the spectacle together.
The setlist leans heavily on fan favourites rather than newer material, and it’s the right call. There’s not a dud in sight. Timberlake even dedicates a segment to his iconic collaborations, including “4 Minutes” and “Ayo Technology.”
A surprise cover of N.E.R.D’s “She Wants to Move” sends the crowd into a frenzy—there’s not a still body in sight. Other highlights include “My Love,” “Señorita,” “Rock Your Body,” and the always explosive “SexyBack.” Despite some of these songs nearing the 25-year mark, they haven’t aged a day. Timberlake proves he could easily keep doing this for another decade—body permitting—and still be every bit as relevant.
He closes the night at the end of the walkway, sitting at a piano to gently play “Until the End of Time.” It’s a tender sign-off to a night that felt like a non-stop party. Luckily for Timberlake, last year’s DUI incident did not, as he says, “ruin the tour”.
