Over the previous few months, Justin Timberlake has been staging one-off reveals throughout the USA in anticipation of his new album “All the things I Thought It Was,” out this Friday, bringing energetic performances to his native Memphis and New York Metropolis. However those that have been fortunate sufficient to snag a free ticket to attend his “One Evening Solely” present on Wednesday (March 13) at The Wiltern in Los Angeles received a as soon as—or, technically, twice—in-a-lifetime expertise, because the pop singer reunited along with his group NSYNC to carry out for the primary time since 2013.

The final time that NSYNC joined collectively as a quintet was on the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, when Timberlake obtained the Video Vanguard Award. Earlier than that, it was again of their glory days. Rumors have been circulating within the viewers and music business reps have been promising one thing particular would happen at The Wiltern, with hypothesis flying {that a} reunion was in retailer. And simply earlier than the tip of the present, when Timberlake usually wades into the viewers whereas the DJ performs a few of his classics, the opening notes of NSYNC’s “Gone” kicked up. Because the curtain rose, the 4 extra members joined Timberlake for a quick, however highly effective, mini-set, touring a few of their largest hits and debuting their new collaboration “Paradise,” included on Timberlake’s “All the things.”

Followers within the viewers have been deeply moved; tears have been streaming down faces. In any case, NSYNC is without doubt one of the foundational acts for millennials, and the reunion has been a hope and a want since their remaining album in 2001, “Superstar.” Timberlake has largely centered on his solo profession aside from his NSYNC bandmates—the group reunited with out him throughout Ariana Grande’s headlining set at Coachella in 2019—and there was a tiny spark of hope {that a} full-blown NSYNC mission or tour would arrive after they recorded and launched “Higher Place” final September for the “Trolls Band Collectively” soundtrack.

However nothing got here of it, apart from a number of press appearances and a few TikTok movies that includes the band. Pleas for an NSYNC tour went unacknowledged. So the NSYNC efficiency at The Wiltern held weight, even when lasted for a number of moments.

After becoming a member of Timberlake, the 4 different members—JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass and Chris Kirkpatrick—ran by a number of of their largest singles as a fivesome. They wandered into the viewers because the DJ reduce up “Girlfriend,” and got here again to the stage to sing glimpses of “Bye Bye Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me.” Every of them took a seat for “Paradise,” their concluding quantity, which Timberlake defined that they’d simply practiced. Harmonies flew, eyes have been moist, and so they stood on the entrance of the stage on the finish, absorbing the rapturous applause.

In fact, there was extra to the present than simply the NSYNC reunion. Timberlake gave a biggest hits efficiency for an hour-and-a-half, operating by “Swimsuit & Tie,” “Rock Your Physique,” “My Love,” “Señorita” and “Cry Me a River.” He introduced out Grammy-winning R&B singer Coco Jones for his or her remix of her tune “ICU,” explaining that he was shocked when he reached out and he or she agreed to hitch. He additionally gave shine to “All the things,” giving renditions of single “Egocentric,” “No Angels” and “Sanctified,” the place featured artist Tobe Nwigwe joined him.

However even Timberlake knew the NSYNC reunion carried far heavier weight. “I don’t know what to do after that however this,” he stated as his bandmates left his aspect, sliding into his closing tune, “Mirrors.” The vitality was palpable, and Timberlake went out with a bang. These hoping for an additional NSYNC reunion might need to preserve their fingers crossed that lightning strikes a 3rd time, as Timberlake gears as much as head out on a worldwide tour for his new album. However, for one night time, he gave attendees all the things they wished.