Timberlake en Starland Ballroom

TIMBERLAKE AT STARLAND BALLROOM
Fans wait all day long to get close to pop star
Home News Tribune Online 09/2/06

SAYREVILLE — Sayreville braced for storm front Justin yesterday at the Starland Ballroom.

That’s Justin as in Justin Timberlake, former member of the boy group ‘N Sync and now a solo star in his own right. He was scheduled to perform before 2,200 in a sold-out show, part of his «SexyBack ClubTour», at the venue last night.

Several hundred fans, mostly young girls, waited throughout the day yesterday in an orderly line that wrapped around the parking-lot corner of the venue. Allison Rivera, 20, of Cape May, was holding the first spot for a friend who went to Dunkin’ Donuts.

Rivera had been there since 8 a.m. yesterday.

«It’s been a fun experience», said Rivera of the wait. «When I first got here it wasn’t nice but it was warm enough, then it got cold and windy».

As of 5 p.m., fans in line were huddled under umbrellas, blankets, ponchos, and in Christina Baranowski’s case, a tractor-trailer truck that was parked along side of the venue.

«I’m the biggest fan here», said the 19-year-old Baranowski, who was alternating her spot with friends to keep out of the rain. «(I’ve) seen him perform quite often».

Timberlake is set to release «FutureSex/LoveSounds», his sophomore solo record, on Sept. 12. Timberlake performed the album’s first single, «SexyBack», on Thursday night’s MTV Video Music Awards. The song was referenced by former Vice President Al Gore, who was also on the telecast.

SexyBack is the No. 1 single on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart this week.

Rivera, who will be staying with an aunt in South Amboy after the show, heard a leaked version of the new album off the Internet.

«The songs are really good», Rivera said. «They’re a lot more mature than the last album».

After his Starland show, Timberlake will be featured on «The Late Show with David Letterman» on Sept. 11, «Good Morning America» on Sept. 12 and 15, and «The Tonight Show with Jay Leno» on Sept. 19.