The Forget Tomorrow World Tour

The Forget Tomorrow World Tour is the ongoing seventh headlining concert tour by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake. His first tour in five years, it is in support of his sixth studio album, Everything I Thought It Was (2024). The tour began on April 29, 2024, in Vancouver and is scheduled to conclude on December 20, 2024, in Kansas City.

Background

While appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on January 25, 2024, to promote his new single "Selfish" and to reveal the title of his sixth studio album Everything I Thought It Was, Timberlake also announced the tour. Tour dates were announced the next day. Five days later, due to demand, six additional dates were announced. Dates for the fall were added later. On February 23, 2024, European dates for the tour were announced. On May 20, 2024, nine additional dates were announced due to demand.

Show

During a portion of the concert, Timberlake and his band the "Tennessee Kids" make their way through the audience to a smaller stage at the back of the arena floor, performing eight songs at the "B Stage", including the single "Selfish". The concert concludes with Timberlake performing "Mirrors" on top of a floating rotating stage. Held safe by wires attached to a harness at his waist and feet secured by straps to the deck, Timberlake rides the stage as it progresses above the crowd, turning from side to side in the arena. Toward the end of the song, as if bowing to the audience below, the stage angles forward in a way that tips Timberlake, his head extended well in front of his feet almost onto the audience below. John Taylor of the Las Vegas Sun described the stage as "Maybe four stories tall and 20 feet wide. It began the night as part of the main backdrop on stage. It later moved out from its original position just behind the singer at center stage, displaying various graphic designs and images of the singer. Later, it was lowered to where it hovered over Timberlake and his coterie of dancers as they moved through a song. [...] The floating stage literally was a show-stopper."

Commercial performance

In March 2024, prior to the tour launching, Trace William Cowen of Complex reported that The Forget Tomorrow World Tour had become Timberlake's fastest selling tour to date. They stated that the tour had amassed over $140 million globally in initial ticket sales from over 70 dates and that more than one million attendees are expected. Cowen concluded that "Justin Timberlake's Forget Tomorrow World Tour Is Set to Become His Biggest Yet." On May 20, 2024, Pollstar announced that nine additional shows were added due to "overwhelming demand" and reported that over 1 million tickets were already sold.

Critical reception

The tour has received generally positive reviews from critics. Reporter Stuart Derdeyn of the Vancouver Sun, who attended the opening date, praised: "If you were at the launch of Justin Timberlake's Forget Tomorrow World tour at Rogers Arena last night, you know you caught the best show the singer has ever played in Vancouver." Derdeyn concluded the tour put Timberlake "back in the star chamber for sure".

The Seattle Times music writer Michael Rietmulder also gave the tour a positive review, remarking that Timberlake was in his "element" and credited him as being "One of this century's most well-rounded entertainers". Jim Harrington of The Mercury News praised the performance aspect of the show, stating that "Timberlake is nothing short of a marvelous performer, boosting great dance moves, plenty of charisma and star power, an ability to connect deeply with a crowd, solid comedic timing and a knack for showing his fans a good time." Despite being critical of Timberlake's music catalog, he concluded that "The fact that these mostly mundane numbers worked in the moment, and evoked so much excitement from the crowd, is certainly further testament to Timberlake's prowess as a stage performer."

Las Vegas Sun editor John Taylor praised Timberlake's floating stage, in addition to his performance of the evening. He remarked the "floating stage literally was a show-stopper. As splendiferous as the final act was, the rest of the show was equal to the task." He concluded with: "The floating stage performance caps an unforgettable Justin Timberlake concert."

Tim Chan of The Hollywood Reporter gave the tour a positive review saying "Justin Timberlake’s ‘Forget Tomorrow’ World Tour Revives the Reigning Prince of Pop. At his triumphant tour stop in Los Angeles, the singer thrilled fans with a setlist of greatest hits and new material that proves the Grammy-winning entertainer is here to stay." Variety music writer Steven J. Horowitz also gave a positive review saying "Justin Timberlake Delivers Peak Performance at Hits-Filled L.A. Forum Show." Horowitz praised Timberlake referring to him as "a consummate showman, educated in the school of boyband philosophy where precision is key. At 43 years old, Timberlake is just as sharp and exact as he’s been throughout his decades-long career, hitting every cue and note with intent and purpose."

The Arizona Republic pop music critic Ed Masley described the tour as "an elaborate pop spectacle." He also remarked that "Timberlake's ageless falsetto hits all the right notes in hit-filled Phoenix concert." While describing Timberlake's dancing as "being just as impressive in a two-hour concert where Timberlake rarely stopped moving, occasionally standing still as he played an acoustic guitar or keyboard."

Set list

This set list is from the April 29, 2024, concert in Vancouver.

Tour dates

Cancelled shows

References