Justin Timberlake Brings Style and ‘SexyBack’ to United Center

Justin Timberlake made sure Chicagoans forgot tomorrow with his effervescent performance at the United Center Feb. 14. The pop singer-songwriter performed an eclectic combination of his hottest songs released from 2002 to 2024 during the Chicago leg of The Forget Tomorrow World Tour.

“We’re going to sing tonight, we’re going to dance tonight, the 44-year-old Timberlake said to the crowd of energized fans. “We’re going to fall in love tonight.” 

Producer and DJ Andrew Hypes opened for Timberlake with a wave of ‘80s and ‘90s hits. The crowd was awash with nostalgia from original mixes of 2Pac’s “California Love,” Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” and Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).”

The audience’s energy seemed to liven when Hypes’ beats crashed through the stadium, but these were merely a tease for Timberlake’s later performance. 

At 9 p.m., the lights blackened throughout the sold-out United Center, and the main stage screens illuminated with blood-red smoke clouds. Orange and red hues turned into a sunset desert scene with shots of Timberlake striking a series of poses as the camera zoomed out.

The vibrant coloring and scenery alluded to the cover of Timberlake’s album “Everything I Thought I Was,” which was released in March of last year. 

Lights dimmed throughout the arena after Timberlake’s opening spectacle, and a single yellow spotlight landed on the singer after rising from below. Timberlake was certainly on his “suit & tie shit” for Chicago — he emerged dressed in black slacks, a black blazer and sunglasses.   

While singing “No Angels,” Timberlake grooved across the stage with swift footwork, setting a high-octane tone for the night. Crimson lights re-engulfed the space as Timberlake’s band, dancers and backup singers assembled on the stage.

Timberlake danced with effortless precision through “LoveStoned / I Think She Knows Interlude.” The artist strengthened his performance by including ad lib “Chi-Town” riffs during the song.  

Following “Like I Love You” with “My Love,” Timberlake didn’t spare the theatrics. “My Love” began with Timberlake’s backup singers owning their cobalt blue spotlight with ethereal vocals, and ended with an intense electric guitar solo at center stage. 

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” Timberlake said after finishing the song. “You never know what can happen on Valentine’s Day.” 

A newly-wedded couple in the pit caught Timberlake’s attention and shared with the crowd how they were celebrating their two-month wedding anniversary. Timberlake’s song “Morning Light” was their first dance, but rather than adding “Morning Light” to his setlist in honor of the two, Timberlake made a consummation joke. 

He slowed it down with soul-stirring deliveries of “Technicolor” and a jazz-heavy rendition of “Sanctified.” Timberlake’s tubist held the crowd in the palm of his hand for “Sanctified” — he put his soul into grooving along to the song, blending musical skill with raw emotion. 

Timberlake’s ode to Valentine’s Day in his performance was dual in nature — what started out slow and sweet with “Technicolor” quickly transitioned into fiery passion with “Infinity Sex” and “FutureSex / LoveSound.”  

This “Prince of Pop’s” crown remained intact between his artistic theatrics and vocal accompaniments. During “Drown,” Timberlake’s velvety voice flooded the arena while on-screen visuals stole the show. 

Timberlake was pictured in a shower-like container slowly filling with water as his melody intensified. As the beat dropped to the lyrics “It’s about to break, break,” the glass cracked, flooding the screen while transitioning into “Cry Me A River.” 

While Timberlake curated a vocal collaboration with the audience for “Cry Me A River,” his attempt to teach the audience a two-step to “Let The Groove Get In” was less successful. This was through no fault of Timberlake’s, though — the crowd seemed to be rhythmically challenged throughout the night’s setlist. 

During “Summer Love,” Timberlake dropped it down on center stage, prompting the United Center to erupt in echoing roars. Timberlake and his team of dancers then fully immersed themselves into the crowd during “Play,” gracefully moving from the main stage while simultaneously joining hand-in-hand with fans. 

“The majority of you have been rocking with me for 25, 30 years,” Timberlake said. “First-timers, I hope you felt that — we earned that.”  

Timberlake dedicated “Until The End of Time” to Chicagoans and his family members present at the show.

“You all made a Tennessee boy’s dreams come true,” Timberlake said.  

Exciting the crowd one last time, Timberlake and his team paraded across the other side of the general admission floor to return back to the main stage during “CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!”   

Timberlake’s spirited stage presence seemed to be brighter than even the flashing yellow, pink and blue stage lights with the words “Dance! Dance! Dance!” 

After encapsulating his theatrics and iconic sexy footwork and body rolls once more in “Rock Your Body” and “SexyBack,” Timberlake disappeared out of sight, while fans demanded an encore. Obliging the crowd’s wishes, Timberlake emerged on stage to perform one of his most popular songs — the 2013 hit “Mirrors.” 

The arena quickly became a cascade of white, glistening with mirrorball-esque lights, a singular spotlight on Timberlake and audience members holding up phone flashlights. 

The crowd’s gentle harmonies accompanied the beauty of Timberlake’s melody, with his extensive vocal range on full display through rich high notes. This reflective ambiance concluded the set of Timberlake’s “The Forget Tomorrow World Tour” — and proved nothing can ruin the world tour.