The Main Performance: Stage Production

     Do impressive vocals and performing skills create a concert or do we expect more? Do we only want a talented singer like Justin Timberlake to stand on stage and sing to us in the dark? Since Justin Timberlake is a successful American R&B and pop artist that excels in vocals, songwriting, and performing, I would be okay with hearing him in the dark for free. Nevertheless, his recent work, ‘The Man of the Woods Tour’ is something I would want to bring to light. This performance is based on his fifth studio album, ‘Man of the Woods’ which was released on February 2018. This album represents his upbringing from Tennessee with a mixture of different genres including blues, country, and folk. Timberlake began his sixth tour, ‘The Man of the Woods Tour’ on March 18, 2018 allowing Timberlake to promote his new work. I saw this performance on February 14, 2019 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver along side many couples, best friends, and families. Most of the works performed in this concert included popular songs from the ‘Man of the Woods’ album and other top hits from Timberlake’s previous albums, ‘Justified’,‘FutureSex/LoveSounds’ and ‘The 20/20 Experience’. Bringing it all together are the many performers involved on stage including Timberlake, his band The Tennessee Kids, and many backup dancers. These performers are what represent Timberlake’s essence and background, especially coming from a popular boy band with iconic and edgy dance moves.

     I was interested in seeing how much the stage production actually effects this performance and how all the interdisciplinary fields of art take this studio album and turn it into a concert or a new experience. This performance was highly influenced by lighting, set design, and sound, therefore stage production is a key factor to transform this album into a completely different art form. I will explore and discover how stage production can produce a studio recorded album into a spectacular show.

    Without a doubt Justin Timberlake’s vocals are impressive but would I spend an absurd amount of money to listen to him sing in the dark? Of course not, I think the lighting in this performance enhances the singer, band, and dancers. The advantages of this lighting design creates certain moods during each performance and song. It ties together all the different layers and elements that are happening all at once. It connects the dancers to the musicians even though they are on different ends of the stage. The lighting also impacts whether Timberlake goes from heavy guitar and loud bass in ‘SexyBack’ with white strobe light and steady red lighting which as a viewer indicates the intimacy and sexual references like the song represents. Then contrasted by the blue sky lighting and soft yellow toned spot light for his hit ‘Man of the Woods’ to recreate the environment of his music video which is set in the woods. This lighting creates a different atmosphere and setting within each song that is often subtle and hard to notice since the main focus is usually drawn to the main performer, unless you are at this concert specifically watching the lighting cues. 

Photo by: Kayla Sylte

Photo by: Kayla Sylte

Using lighting in choreographic timing with the music created an effect of having a non-living performer on stage. This is interesting itself to notice when the beats have strong accents, the lights strobe down. Also, when the dancers finish a phrase, so does the end of the song and the lights blackout simultaneously. The “changes in the lighting are usually designed to be triggered by premeditated actions of the performers on-stage”(Randall 1). Thus, the lighting during this concert stems together all the overlaying elements to create one cohesive performance. Many of the lighting cues, colours, and effects give this performance an overall set and theme for each piece.

Photo by: Kayla Sylte

      In relation to the lighting creating an atmosphere so does set design in more obvious ways. Set design is critical in this concert because it creates a unique way for Justin to exhibit his work. These sets are recognizable to Timberlake and his album as his inspirations draw from the backwoods country and rural experiences. ‘The Man of the Woods Tour’ had many different sets and stage designs including trees, patches of grass, and a real campfire on stage. Not to mention having an S-shaped stage with a bar in the middle where people can order drinks while enjoying the performance right above them. This set is an obvious but very unique choice for Timberlake as he values that people are at his concert to party and have a good time. During the concert it is evident that he believes this as he brings together his performers and audience members to take a shot right before the beginning of a new song. This is the ultimate VIP experience no matter where you are sitting. Overall, sets are a valuable addition to this concert as the performers are able to interact with them. During his hit ‘Man of the Woods’, Justin and his dancers walk around the props that are on stage as if they were walking in the woods on grass and around trees. When the campfire was brought up on stage Timberlake and the dancers were all sitting, dancing, and singing around the pit. This tells the audience a story and brings a sense of understanding to the context of the song. The size and length of the stage also gives each audience member a different experience and vision of the performance. This allows Timberlake and his dancers to freely roam and move around the stage to interact with many of his fans  that are close by. These particular sets, props, and stage expands the performance so it becomes more engaging for the audience instead of the performers just standing in one spot on a small stage dancing, singing, and playing music. 

      Although the singing and music playing is what a good portion of this performance is revolved around, there must be ways for the sound to stand out and be impactful. Without the technological advancements that affect sound, this performance would not uphold the large arena and the people that are listening.  The technology used to amplify the bass as loud as it was is especially hard without overpowering Timberlake’s live voice. There is a difference between a studio recorded version of a song and wanting to perform it live for thousands of people. Having this music and live singing amplified gives the audience a much different experience than listening to the songs on your headphone. Thus, it is “suggesting that live music offers fans something special that they are more than willing to pay for”(Brown & Knox).

     A lot of behind the scene work goes into a major performance like ‘The Man of the Woods Tour’. There are many people like lighting designers, stage directors, and behind the scene workers that put this show together. Without them, ‘The Man of the Woods Tour’ would still be an album you listen on your phone. Many people have these opinions about the album being good but the concert being better. Jane Lui explains, “I attended a CD listening party hosted by Mr. Timberlake himself… I almost passed out. As if that wasn’t enough heightened activity for one day, I also was blessed with VIP concert seats”(Lui 2006). There are many elements that went into this performance like dancing, choreography, and videography that can also add to a viewers experience but stage production is what truly evolves this album into a performance. By focusing on the main elements that are prominent in this concert, I can conclude that lighting, set, and sounds create a bigger work of art compared to the recorded albums and songs. I can use certain elements of Justin’s performance to say multidisciplinary work transform the ‘Man of the Woods’ album to ‘The Man of the Woods Tour’.

Photo by: Kayla Sylte

Works Cited 

Brown, Steven Caldwell, and Don Knox. “Why Go to Pop Concerts? The Motivations behind Live Music Attendance.” Abstract. SAGE Journals, 20 May 2016, journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1029864916650719.

      Lui, Jane. “CELEBRITY Justin Timberlake.” The San Diego Union- Tribune, 7 Sept. 2006.

      Randall, Joshua. Real-Time Lighting System for Large Group Interaction. May 2002, resenv.media.mit.edu/GiveawaySensors/auplighting-5.pdf.