Reviews: Ed Sheeran, Justin Timberlake, Garth Brooks & More

This week, for your reading enjoyment, we have compiled critical reviews of live performances from Ed Sheeran in Milwaukee; Justin Timberlake in New York; Garth Brooks in South Bend, Ind.; Darius Rucker in Gateshead, England; Twenty one Pilots in Cleveland; and Death Cab For Cutie in Miami Beach, Fla.

AP Photo / Rafiq Maqbool – Ed Sheeran
Last year

Ed Sheeran @ Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 24 – “There were a lot of irritated fans on social media, but nothing but good vibes at the show itself, led by perhaps the most affable, down-to-earth showman capable of filling stadiums. (Sheeran also apologized up front for the hassles, but looking over the beaming crowd, there seemed to be no hard feelings.)” – Piet Levy / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Justin Timberlake @ Madison Square Garden Arena in New York, N.Y., Oct. 22 – “Overall, Justin Timberlake rocked the “World’s Most Famous Arena” with his high-octane “Man of the Woods” Tour. He was able to showcase his wide range as a contemporary recording artist. This pop superstar is worth seeing in concert whenever he performs in town.” – Markos Papadatos / Digital Journal

Garth Brooks @ Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind., Oct. 20 – “The only knock that I would have on the concert at Notre Dame was the entrance and the fact that he didn’t sing “Shameless.” I think not having that created grand entrance made the show start off kind of slow, but it wasn’t long until Garth and the crowd got into their groove.” – Travis Sams / 99.5 WKDQ

Scott Legato / Getty Images – Darius Rucker
Darius Rucker performs during Faster Horses Country Fest at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., July 22.

Darius Rucker @ Sage Gateshead in Gateshead, England, Oct. 23 – “It’s always difficult for an artist to win over the crowd in an all-seater theatre; it’s the old analogy that if you give people a seat they will sit. However, tonight Darius Rucker has no problem at all in that department; the whole room up on their feet for the best part of the evening.” – Adam Kennedy / National Rock Review

Twenty One Pilots @ Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 23 – “Now, I’m not ready to anoint him as the next McCa, or Twenty One Pilots as a successor to the Fab Four. But there’s a lot to like about the group. Joseph and Dun are doing things the right way, touring, working, putting out new music on a regular basis – good new music – and building a fan base that is likely to grow with them.” – Chuck Yarborough / The Plain Dealer

Death Cab For Cutie @