the tour received generally positive reviews from critics. "toronto star" journalist nick krewen, who attended the opening date, gave it a score of four-out-of-four, writing "[the] stellar tour kickoff delivers the hits and the spectacle... even with some of the most elaborate, sophisticated visual technology available at his disposal, pop superstar justin timberlake managed to have his campfire moment at the air canada centre tuesday night. with a literal campfire." "chicago tribune"s bob gendron, who attended the show at the united center, praised the spectacle and said "parade leader. spurned lover. assertive dancer. down-on-his-knees relationship savior. bartender who handed shots out to his large ensemble. outdoors lover who gathered around a campfire to play familiar songs. timberlake embraced an array of roles, blurring the lines between entertainer, singer and actor." adam graham of the "detroit news" wrote it "was an engrossing spectacle that turned the arena into his personal wooded playland; no concert artist has come close to using little caesars arena’s space this creatively, save for perhaps lady gaga. [...] timberlake was cool and commanding, taking the stage in a jean jacket and track pants and still looking like he owned the place." graham also praised timberlake's band the tennessee kids, "[they] became his own e street band — there were times, especially when the band turned around and played to the fans at the back of the arena, that the show recalled a bruce springsteen concert."