Justin Timberlake’s Concert Disappoints Fans Amid Scandals

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Fans of Justin Timberlake expressed disappointment after the pop icon’s concert on February 25, 2025, at the Xcel Energy Center, which was marked by a setlist dominated by songs from his recent album, “Everything I Thought It Was,” that failed to resonate with the audience.

The 44-year-old singer opted to perform 11 tracks from his critically panned new album, leaving fans yearning for his classic hits. According to a scathing review by the Star Tribune, many attendees were frustrated, hoping for nostalgic favorites instead of newer, lesser-known material.

“He insisted on playing new songs hardly anyone cared about,” one audience member stated, noting the lack of enthusiasm when Timberlake asked the crowd to sing along to the album’s single, which left the audience quiet.

Timberlake’s decision to perform on a secondary stage at the back of the arena also garnered complaints from fans. One concertgoer remarked, “Timberlake spent quite a bit of time on a second stage at the back of the arena, and finished out the show back there, so lost a little luster for anyone toward the front.”

This event was the penultimate U.S. performance of Timberlake’s “Forget Tomorrow World Tour,” which has been overshadowed by scandals including his DWI arrest last summer and controversial comments related to his previous relationships.

The Star Tribune’s review acknowledged Timberlake’s “natural showmanship, deft musicianship and contagious energy” that still managed to entertain the crowd of approximately 11,000. However, disappointment lingered due to the absence of a signature ‘monolith’ tour prop that he had used in previous shows.

Earlier in his tour, Timberlake faced scrutiny after an incident in December where he drew attention for adjusting his clothing during a performance in Nashville. This moment, captured by cameras, fueled a wave of social media memes poking fun at the situation.

In June 2024, Timberlake accepted a plea deal following a DUI arrest in the Hamptons, where he infamously remarked to a police officer that the incident “would ruin the world tour.” His past treatment of ex-girlfriend Britney Spears has also come under renewed scrutiny, particularly after her memoir, “The Woman in Me,” published in 2023, brought forward serious allegations about their relationship.

Timberlake’s response to these revelations has been mixed, with calls from the public for accountability as they highlight the stark contrast between his career longevity and Janet Jackson’s fallout from the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show incident.

Following growing backlash, Timberlake issued a formal apology in 2021, acknowledging his past mistakes and affirming that he benefited from a system of negligence regarding misogyny and racism.

Despite his current setbacks, Timberlake is set to extend his tour internationally, with performances planned in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Norway, and Denmark, concluding on June 14, 2025. He continues to maintain a family life with his wife, actress Jessica Biel, and their two children, Silas, nine, and Phineas, four.