The Biebs has got so many bangers, he can’t even remember all of them.
On Wednesday night, Justin Bieber brought his “Purpose” world tour to Barclays Center, but during an acoustic set, he made a major flub by forgetting to play his current smash “Love Yourself.”
The song, which hit No. 1 in the Billboard Chart earlier this year, has been a staple in the tightly rehearsed show since the tour started in March. But the singer had already begun the next part of the set before he realized his gaffe and halted the band.
“I got a bit ahead of myself,” laughed the 22-year-old, before requesting that his stagehands bring back the sofa used for the acoustic interlude. In the minute or so it took to reset the stage, Bieber awkwardly filled the gap by working the audience. He even got biblical on some low-energy fans, pointing up to them and joking, “You know when Jesus comes back, you guys are the first to go!”
It was worth the wait, because “Love Yourself” was a show highlight, with the 18,000-strong crowd singing so loud, it drowned out the Canadian and his guitar. With his newly shorn hair, a yellow plaid shirt and a pair of ripped jeans, Biebs looked like Kurt Cobain and Eminem may have once had angry sex, and produced a rebel without a cause.
He may still look like a bad boy, but Biebs has toned down his tearaway behavior recently, preferring to let the music of his fourth album, “Purpose,” take the limelight. The crowd at the Barclays Center reflected his change of emphasis and widening popularity.
Although still mostly female, Bieber’s fans have grown up with him. The pre-teen girls who previously came to watch with their bemused dads are now coming with their first boyfriends — who also showed their appreciation for the more hip-hop-oriented tracks “No Pressure” and “No Sense,” and last year’s dancehall-influenced smash “Sorry.” It’s the song that made it OK to like Justin Bieber and, as he performed it in what looked like a giant paddling pool with water cascading down on him and his dancers, his pride at turning a big creative corner was clear.
Biebs plays Barclays Center again on Thursday and hopefully, he’ll remember the set list a little better.
