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Sound mars Timberlake's big party

Justin Timberlake at Perth Arena. Picture: Duncan Barnes

CONCERT
Justin Timberlake
Perth Arena
Wednesday, October 8
REVIEW SIMON COLLINS
3 stars

Pop spunk Justin Timberlake finally scratched fans' seven-year itch, bringing his mega-hits, cheeky grin and, yep, sexy back to Perth on Wednesday night at the first of two big gigs.

In 2007 the man known as Trousersnake - until he was made an honest man by Jessica Biel, who is on tour Down Under with her hubby - played Burswood Dome.

Despite eye-popping production, a messy sound and the many shortcomings of that now bulldozed monstrosity conspired for a distinctly underwhelming concert.

While Perth Arena is a far, far superior venue, Timberlake's first Perth performance on his 20/20 Experience World Tour was also partly a disappointment, closer to 12 out of 20.

What should have been a tour de force greatest hits show featuring the 33-year-old superstar's sweet falsetto, slick dance moves and shrink-wrap tight band, the Tennessee Kids, it was often derailed by its own magnitude.

After the band rose from below the stage in front of enormous screens made of hexagons covering the back wall and roof above the performers, Timberlake and co. dished up 2002 pop classics Rock Your Body and Like I Love You off his career-best debut album Justified.

The former Mickey Mouse Club and NSYNC member's vocals boomed disconcertingly around the Arena, while the bombastic percussion from the Kids' two drummers bounced off the wall to create a slapping echo. This blighted several songs, from the usually fantastic R&B number My Love to recent Drink You Away.

The slap went away on stripped back numbers, such as the electro ballad LoveStoned off 2006's FutureSex/ LoveSounds or the superb Cry Me a River - the 2002 slow-burner about his break-up with Britney Spears was the first set's big finale.

Funnily enough, the sound was best when JT and some of the Tennessee Kids performed on the B-stage. How they got there was a highlight in itself.

After the fun Latin- flavoured Senorita, the entire front expanse of the stage rose on hydraulics and then moved over the crowd towards the VIP bar ($1500 for two tickets) at the back of the standing area.

Timberlake belted out Let the Groove Get In and danced the show to fans on both sides of the Arena in a highly impressive display of showmanship and concert production.

With band members working the VIPs, Timberlake strapped on an acoustic guitar and paid tribute to fellow Memphis homeboy Elvis Presley with a rapturously received rendition of Heartbreak Hotel.

In addition to the King of Rock and Roll, the star paid debts to Michael Jackson, Jay Z, funk outfit Kool and the Gang and new jack swing trio Bell Biv DeVoe during the two-hour gig.

The excellent cover of Bell Biv DeVoe's 1990 hit Poison saw Timberlake and two backing singers form an impromptu R&B posse on the main stage.

Timberlake came home strongly with saccharine latest Top 10 single Not a Bad Thing, the 90s-sounding Murder and synth-laden 2013 comeback single Suit & Tie leading to the inevitable showstopper, platinum-coated 2006 hit SexyBack followed by last year's double-platinum smash Mirrors.

Fans came for and got a big party but, after waiting seven years, the at-times messy sound may have left some crying a river.

Timberlake played at the Perth Arena again last night.