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Thousands of Screaming Fans Love Timberlake's Fresno Return
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
March 14, 2019

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Justin Timberlake brought it to the Save Mart Center Wednesday night.

And the capacity crowd, including many thirtysomething women on a girl’s night out, enjoyed what he brought.

Photo of GV Wire's David Taub

Opinion

David Taub

Timberlake danced. He sang. He even played the piano and guitar and pressed buttons on a synthesizer machine.

A Full Effort?

But, did he bring it all?

Thousands of screaming fans can’t be wrong, but something seemed … off.

Timberlake’s show was a make-good for missing a date last December, scratched because of bruised vocal cords. He last played in Fresno in 2007.

I get it that as a pop singer, the concert will feature pre-recorded background vocals blasting from the sound system. But, did Timberlake have to be so obvious about it? Justin’s voice echoed in the background whether his mic was near his lips, or if his lips even moved.

And the wardrobe. Shouldn’t JT wear a suit and tie and singing “Suit & Tie?” He only made one wardrobe change during the show, with both outfits a simple t-shirt, jeans, jacket combo.

(GV Wire/Jamie Ouverson)

Instead of being a man of fashion, he looked like an everyday mall rat.

Primo Stage

The “Man of the Woods Tour” featured a walkway stage snaking all the way from the front of the arena to the back. Timberlake and his entourage of dancers, and musicians performed a majority of songs along the tree-lined rampways.

The setup included no seats on the floor, just standing room only, with actual bars along the stage in the VIP section. Of course, JT danced on top of those bars delighting the VIP crowd eager to get closer to the icon.

(GV Wire/Jamie Ouverson)

Timberlake showed he was more than just a singer/dancer by strumming the guitar for a bluesy “Drink You Away.”

Afterward, JT and the crew retreated backstage for wardrobe changes. In the meantime, the audience saw an artsy video about relationships, in which a cohesive storyline in the mini-movie was absent.

The show’s second half began with a skit simulating a campfire, with Timberlake playing “Until the End of Time” on his guitar.

The remainder of the show was mostly dancing, with JT leading the choreography.

(GV Wire/Jamie Ouverson)

The 38-year old played his hits, closing the show with “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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