photo-7Director of Sales for Elite Entertainment, Dominic Sestito gave a seminar at last August’s DJ Convention in Atlantic City and was quoted as saying “Justin Timberlake, when it’s all said and done is going to be the greatest performer of our time”. I hadn’t given the man much thought outside of the occasions when I would be playing his songs at events I was DJ’ing. But when Dominic said this, it piqued my interest in seeing him. Some three months later, as I began to plan extensively for Valentine’s day with my girlfriend, Megan. I looked to see where Justin Timberlake would be performing (She’s a big JT Fan, so the two went hand in hand.) Ironically enough, Justin Timberlake was scheduled to perform in Madison Square Garden on the 19th and 20th of February, the WEDNESDAY or THURSDAY following Valentine’s Day, which fell on a Friday this year. I also booked Wicked Tickets for Megan and I as a Christmas present. I worked it out that Wednesday the 19th we would see Justin Timberlake, and Wicked on Thursday. Well you know what they say about the best laid plans…

After my own negligence took hold, realizing I left all the tickets to our events at home once we had arrive in the Big Apple, I had to bite the bullet, and leave Megan in the City, travel an hour back and forth to get the tickets and return. On the train ride back, I called the Garden to ensure everything was still running smoothly, only to discover that Justin Timberlake had CANCELLED for that night, due to illness, and moved his show to Friday in the Garden. My heart nearly leapt into my throat, and scrambled to inform Megan and shuffle our plans. Some financial hardships, a few long phone calls, and few glasses of liquid encouragement later and I felt a little more relaxed, knowing now that my plan was not entirely destroyed, but rather altered.

2014-02-21 22.42.38Fast Forward to Friday night, with residual amazement still occupying residence in my mind from Wicked on Broadway with Megan the night before, we filed into the Garden with 10 thousand other fans, all with the same thought on their mind: “This better be one hell of a show, I went through a lot just to come back tonight”. Around 9 PM the lights dropped, violins hit, and he began his performance, starting with Pusher Love Girl. If you’re not familiar with Timberlake’s 20/20 Experience Album, it’s an incredible compilation of music and entertainment. During the breakdown of this song, He stopped the entire show, shut the lights off, and had a spotlight put onto him….And he knew just what to say:
“What’s up New York City?!………………………..Let’s get one thing straight…………………I owe all of you for wednesday”

Pandemonium ensued.

Now…..I’ve been in Yankee Stadium for Red Sox vs. Yankee playoff games that were loud. I’ve been in Giants Stadium for championship games. I’ve even been in the Garden for the final Big East Tournament in 2013. And Not a single one of those crowds compared to the deafening roar when Justin basically apologized. He was a consummate professional. Totally humble. And yet, in spite of what had happened, all was forgotten. With covers of Frank Sinatra’s New York New York, Jungle Boogie, Poison and Heartbreak Hotel, he blew me and Megan away. Dancing on the bars of the VIP lounge, literally lifting and moving his entire stage across the arena, and an encore of Sexyback and Mirrors, Justin Timberlake was, as the title states it, Worth the Wait.