Justin Timberlake’s mission was clear:
Make this last one count.
“Tonight is a monumental night for me,” Timberlake told the tens of thousands of fans assembled before him on Saturday (May 24). “It’s my last show in America.”
It sounded ominous coming out of his mouth, like the pop star was talking about his final U.S. show ever. But, of course, Timberlake was certainly referencing the last U.S. gig on his massive Forget Tomorrow World Tour — which happened to also be the headlining event on Day 2 at BottleRock Napa Valley.
And, yes, indeed, he certainly made this finale count, delighting both die-hard fans and casual listeners with a 90-minute set that was filled with JT classics.
Justin Timberlake performs on the JaM Cellars Stage during the BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival on Saturday. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
It was a massive triumph — one that felt quite necessary for this song-and-dance man in 2025. It’s been a troubled year for the once-untouchable star, who’s seen his marquee value take a hit following a DUI arrest and vastly disappointing commercial reception to his latest studio album, “Everything I Thought It Was.”
Yet, all of that seemed far in the rearview mirror as Timberlake and his dynamic Tennessee Kids band took the stage and hit the BottleRock crowd with a great double shot of “Mirrors” and “Cry Me a River.”
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Rather than the bloated and uneven affair we saw from Timberlake at the SAP Center in San Jose back in 2024, this BottleRock set was streamlined and vastly more fan friendly. The biggest difference was the setlist, with Timberlake going the greatest hits route this time around as opposed to force-feeding fans a steady diet of maddeningly mediocre material from “Everything I Thought It Was” in San Jose.
Justin Timberlake performs on the JaM Cellars Stage during the BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival on Saturday. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
The Memphis native was in fine voice — letting those famed falsetto pipes of his fly — and backed by some wonderful harmony work from his band as he continued through “What Goes Around… Comes Around,” “Suit and Tie” and other favorites. His dance moves were also spot on, both grooving to his own beats under the solo spotlight and during the choreographed dance numbers with his Tennessee Kids.
He was also his usually charming self with the crowd, stopping to sign a handmade Justin Timberlake jacket for one fan — while also apologizing to the rest of the audience for the break in the action.
“Sorry – I will be with you in 1 minute,” Timberlake said to everyone who wasn’t getting their jackets signed in the middle of a concert.
Yet, there are some things he just won’t do — even for his fans — a point that was illustrated when someone threw a cowboy hat onto the stage. Timberlake made it clear he wasn’t about to put that thing on his picture-perfect hair.
“I know I am from Tennessee,” joked Timberlake, who was wearing a T-shirt with a picture of his wife — actress Jessica Biel — on it. “But chill.”
Justin Timberlake sings ‘Cry Me A River’ on the JaM Cellars Stage during the BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival on Saturday. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
The concert hit its climax with the pairing of “Rock Your Body” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling” — arguably Timberlake’s two best up-tempo tracks — which surely would’ve made a great finale to the set.
Yet, JT still had more in the tank and continued through “TKO” and “Sexyback” on his way to crossing the finish line.
He had indeed made this one count. And, at night’s end, he was already starting to think ahead to the next one.
“I’m not sure when I will see you again,” he said. “But I know it will be beautiful when I do.”
Justin Timberlake performs on the JaM Cellars Stage during the BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival on Saturday. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
The 2025 BottleRock Napa Valley festival was set to conclude on Sunday with performances from headliner Noah Kahan, Cage the Elephant, Robby Krieger of The Doors, Flo Rida, Goose, The War and Treaty and others.