Timberlake inspires Vienna: 30,000 fans celebrate a strong show!

Timberlake inspires Vienna: 30,000 fans celebrate a strong show!

Justin Timberlake returned to Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium on July 14, 2025. In front of around 30,000 fans, the entertainer delivered a performance that included many well-known hits, but couldn't quite build on previous successes. In the packed arena, the mood before the concert was high, even if the number of spectators was slightly lower than that of his predecessor, Robbie Williams. The third tier was completely closed, the second tier was only partially occupied, while the first tier was not completely full. As Kurier reports, banners with creative messages were held up before the performance, which further increased the audience's anticipation.

The stage was set up immediately after Robbie Williams' concert, making for a smooth transition. Timberlake, who is on "The Forget Tomorrow World Tour" after a five-year hiatus, appeared in a simple but stylish outfit: a black David Bowie T-shirt, a sparkly jacket and black pants. Despite the eye-catching costumes one would expect from big shows, the performance focused on the music. At the beginning of the concert he sang “Mirrors”, followed by the classic “Cry Me A River” – songs whose melodies everyone in the stadium could sing along to.

A mix of hits and new sounds

Timberlake presented a mix of his best-known hits, especially from the albums “The 20/20 Experience” and “FutureSex/LoveSounds”. Only a few songs from his latest album “Everything I Thought It Was” were included in the setlist, indicating that these numbers haven't quite caught on with fans yet. The band, consisting of 14 members, including four brass players and four gospel choir singers, contributed to the powerful performance. Highlights were without a doubt “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”, “What Goes Around… Comes Around” and a shortened version of “SexyBack”.

The audience interactions were also an enjoyable aspect of the concert. Timberlake pulled a boy named Elias onto the stage to take a selfie with him - a beautiful moment of closeness and connection. Even though the entire concert, which lasted just over an hour and 30 minutes, was perceived as nice, many listeners did not have a lasting impression. Many had hoped for more from a comeback concert, especially after his previous success in the music scene.

An artist with a past and challenges

Justin Timberlake, who has sold over 54 million albums as a solo artist and 70 million with NSYNC, not only has an impressive career, but also a few scandals. In 2024, he was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in New York, which didn't exactly boost his reputation. Still, he remains a sought-after artist, having won 10 Grammy and 4 Emmy Awards. The tickets for his concerts are in demand and with his current tour through more than 50 cities worldwide, he shows that he is also very popular again when it comes to his live performances.

Although expectations may have been higher, Timberlake has taken another step in his career with his Forget Tomorrow World Tour. The reviews of his performances so far have been consistently positive, which gives fans hope that he will soon come up with fresh sounds again. We can't wait to see what happens next with his artistic work.