Fotografías y crítica «MasterCard Priceless Premieres presents Justin Timberlake»

Justin Timberlake se subió al escenario de Roseland Ballroom, en Nueva York el 5 de mayo, en el evento «MasterCard Priceless Premieres presents Justin Timberlake», el primero de sus conciertos patrocinado por MasterCard en «una innovadora relación de dos años centrada en la colaboración de la marca y la creación de verdaderas experiencias inolvidables».

El íntimo concierto, celebrado únicamente para titulares de MasterCard, comenzó con «Like I Love You» y durante la próxima hora y cuarenta minutos continuó con otras 17 canciones entre las que se interpretó «Pusher Love Girl», «Suit & Tie» y «Mirrors», además de clásicos como «Shining Star» de Earth Wind & Fire y «Shake Your Body» de The Jacksons.

MasterCard Priceless Premieres presents Justin Timberlake, entre bastidores y audiencia +12 imágenes

MasterCard Priceless Premieres presents Justin Timberlake +46 imágenes

Justin Timberlake’s smooth as silk at Roseland Ballroom

Seven years ago, Justin Timberlake brought sexy back. Sunday at Roseland, he brought back suave.

Outfitted in what is fast becoming a trademark tux, and backed by an elaborate 11-man band, Timberlake exuded a well-tailored brand of soul. His voice, and demeanor, had a cool poise, an ease that came with a sly wink.

The show, an intimate one by this star’s standard, wasn’t open to the general public, only to MasterCard members. But it served as a promising tease for two more expansive concerts Timberlake will give on July 19 and 20, co-headlined by Jay-Z, at Yankee Stadium.

Even this down-sized show lasted an hour and 40 minutes, involving 18 songs batted out in brisk succession. Opening with the old hit «Like I Love You», Timberlake pitched his arrangement at the ideal intersection of punchy and plush.

A four-man horn section gave the songs extra force while four backup singers helped the star prove the strength of his melodies.

In new songs, like «Pusher Love Girl», «Suit & Tie» and «Mirrors», Timberlake showed the range and grace of his falsetto. Along the way, he worked in some covers to acknowledge his songs’ sources, including Earth Wind and Fire’s «Shining Star» and the Jackson’s «Shake Your Body», complete with a recreation of that group’s original dance moves.

Timberlake seldom broke the party mood with a ballad. But a slowed-down version of «What Goes Around» lent a layer of emotional grounding. Otherwise, the show soared on something lighter: a pop-soul style of pure charm.