PopOdyssey

While promoting their performance at Rock in Rio in 2001, the band stated production was underway on their forthcoming tour. Following the performance, SFX Entertainment announced the band was planning a summer concert tour to promote their upcoming album. Band member Lance Bass said the inspiration for the tour's concept was the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, saying, "We wanted to do 2001: A Pop Odyssey and pay tribute to pop icons. So the whole tour revolves around the meaning of pop and what was popular from the '40s til today."{{Cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=May 18, 2001 |title=Boys of Summer |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/summermusic2001/nsync/index.html |url-status=dead |access-date=September 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010708215340/http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,110199~4~0~ewcomtalkswithn,FF.html |archive-date=July 8, 2001}} Initially, the tour was expected to begin May 12, 2001 at the Pro Player Stadium in Miami,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=February 26, 2001 |title='N Sync Plans Odyssey, Album |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=109018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903161907/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=109018 |archive-date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=ABC News |language=en}} with English pop group BBMak slated to be the opening act.{{cite web |last=Ashare |first=Matt |date=February 8, 2001 |title='N Sync Announces Preliminary Summer Concert Dates |url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12043802 |archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1315705892FXNDGNDULE?url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/nsync/news/artist-name-n-sync-id-1033340-announces-preliminary-summer-concert-dates--12043802 |archive-date=September 11, 2011 |access-date=January 9, 2009 |work=Yahoo! Music}} PopOdyssey was considered "the largest production for a pop concert",{{cite web |last=Moss |first=Corey |date=April 5, 2001 |title='NSYNC PopOdyssey Tour Dates Change |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1442523/20010405/n_sync.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206145219/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1442523/20010405/n_sync.jhtml |archive-date=December 6, 2009 |access-date=January 9, 2009 |work=MTV News}} as the stage was five stories tall and included three video screens and five mini-stages.{{cite web|author=Stevenson, Jane|date=20 June 2001|title=Concert Review: 'N Sync SkyDome, Toronto – June 19, 2001|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/N/N_Sync/ConcertReviews/2004/09/27/646187.html|archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1315715244XOSJWDNHLO?url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/N/N_Sync/ConcertReviews/2004/09/27/646187.html|archive-date=11 September 2011|access-date=10 September 2011|work=Jam!|url-status=usurped|publisher=Quebecor Inc.}} The tour was then postponed to May 23, 2001, to ensure that the crew was able to complete the stage construction.{{cite web |last=Gelman |first=Jason |date=May 9, 2001 |title='N Sync's 'Celebrity' & Tour Kickoff Pushed Back |url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12056173 |archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1315706871CHUIHTATJT?url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/nsync/news/artist-name-n-sync-id-1033340-s-celebrity-tour-kickoff-pushed-back--12056173 |archive-date=September 11, 2011 |access-date=January 9, 2009 |work=Yahoo! Music}} NSYNC's third studio album Celebrity was initially planned to be released on June 26, 2001,{{cite web |last=Gelman |first=Jason |date=April 3, 2001 |title='N Sync's 'Celebrity' Scheduled For June 26 Release |url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12038403 |archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1315706229ECAYSTSYML?url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/nsync/news/artist-name-n-sync-id-1033340-s-celebrity-scheduled-for-june-26-release--12038403 |archive-date=September 11, 2011 |access-date=January 9, 2009 |work=Yahoo! Music}} but was moved to July 24, 2001. As a result, NSYNC decided to perform new songs from Celebrity on the tour before the album was released.{{cite web |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |date=June 21, 2001 |title='NSYNC's Celebrity: More Songs About Young Love |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1444687/20010621/n_sync.jhtml |archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1315706713HXECWPSIKH?url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1444687/nsyncs-upcoming-love-songs.jhtml |archive-date=September 11, 2011 |access-date=January 9, 2009 |work=MTV News}} Additional tour dates were cancelled due to weather conditions in the South.{{cite news |title=*NSYNC concert will not be rescheduled|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZeoxAAAAIBAJ&dq=n%20sync%20tour&pg=2751%2C1714440|newspaper=Boca Raton News |date=9 August 2001 |access-date=13 September 2011|page=10 |publisher=South Florida Media Company |location=Boca Raton, Florida}} However, PopOdyssey was one of the most anticipated tours of 2001.{{cite news |title=Big-name acts on tour, but economy raises worries |first=Nekesa |last=Mumbi-Moody |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VSQxAAAAIBAJ&dq=n%20sync%20tour&pg=3199%2C71426 |newspaper=Rome News-Tribune |date= 1 June 2001|access-date=10 September 2011|page=5B |location=Rome, Georgia}} Two months into the tour, the band expressed hopes of later bringing their shows back to Europe, where they first toured before their American breakthrough,{{Cite web |date=July 16, 2001 |title=*NSYNC 'pop' back to Europe |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/n-sync-27-1377677 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223163315/https://www.nme.com/news/music/n-sync-27-1377677 |archive-date=February 23, 2017 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |website=NME}}{{Cite magazine|last=Hindmarch|first=John|date=September 6, 2000|title=The Biggest Band in the World|magazine=Smash Hits|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/46980429241/ |quote=But we are doing a world tour next summer, and that will include London. |issue=567 |page=24 |access-date=September 3, 2021}} in addition to Australia;{{Cite magazine|last=Adams|first=Patty|date=December 2001|title=Almost Legal|magazine=YM Magazine|url=http://www.maestravida.com/cloud/ym1201.html |quote='NSYNC was supposed to go [to Australia] last year and this year on tour, but so far we haven't had a chance to; we keep canceling. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917071920/http://www.maestravida.com/cloud/ym1201.html |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021}} this did not come to fruition.

The opening of PopOdyssey was held at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida to positive reviews.{{cite web|author=Marino, Nick|date=24 May 2001|title=Prop-heavy show explores celebrity|url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/052401/new_6257949.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107050049/http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/052401/new_6257949.html|archive-date=7 November 2013|access-date=14 September 2011|work=The Florida Times-Union|publisher=Morris Communications}} They were joined on tour by several pop acts including: Christina Milian, Samantha Mumba and Deborah Gibson.{{cite news |title=Elaborate stage effects 'Pop,' sizzle |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=12 August 2001 |page=E5 |location=Atlanta}} During the show, public service announcements were shown for an anti-drug campaign with the Office of National Drug Control Policy, along with promotional spots for On the Line, a film starring band members Bass and Fatone which was to be released theatrically in the fall of 2001.{{cite web|last=Gallo|first=Phil|date=July 25, 2001|title='N Sync|url=https://variety.com/2001/music/reviews/n-sync-3-1200469020/|access-date=May 4, 2020|website=Variety}} The band also partnered with the Candie's Foundation to help prevent teen pregnancy.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/79650/n-sync-supports-anti-drug-teen-pregnancy-efforts |title='N Sync Supports 'Anti-Drug,' Teen Pregnancy Efforts |author=Cohen, Jonathan |date=23 May 2001 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=14 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010826181252/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/79650/n-sync-supports-anti-drug-teen-pregnancy-efforts |archive-date=26 August 2001}} The tour also opened the newly built Heinz Field.{{cite web |author=Rutkoski |first=Rex |date=16 August 2001 |title=Promoters hope 'N Sync kicks off successful venture at Heinz Field |url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/promoters-hope-n-sync-kicks-off-successful-venture-at-heinz-field/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817173745/https://archive.triblive.com/news/promoters-hope-n-sync-kicks-off-successful-venture-at-heinz-field/ |archive-date=17 August 2021 |access-date=3 September 2021 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |publisher=Trib Total Media, Inc.}} Celebrity peaked at number one on the Billboard 200, setting the second-highest record for first-week sales after their previous album No Strings Attached (2000).{{cite news|title=Still a record for 'N Sync |first=Jae-Ha |last=Kim |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |date=2 August 2001 |page=33 |location=Chicago}} The tour ended in the Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos.{{cite web |url=http://www.livedaily.citysearch.com/news/3375.html |title='NSync to end tour with show for contest winners Beach |author=Fuoco, Christina |date=20 July 2001 |work=LiveDaily |publisher=Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. |access-date=14 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030513045344/http://www.livedaily.citysearch.com/news/3375.html |archive-date=13 May 2003 }}

The show begins with a short film that spells out the definitions of the words Pop ("music popular with the general public") and Odyssey ("a long series of travels and adventures") on a typewriter. The words are combined to form PopOdyssey: "an adventurous journey towards popularity, beginning as just a dream and ending in reality.” Joey Fatone, dressed as a professor in a classroom, appears in the video and plays a montage that details NSYNC’s journey from their origins to the present. Fatone then scrawls the phrase Dirty pop on a chalkboard. Hooded figures appear on the main stage in a nod to NSYNC’s previous tour entrances. This turns out to be a misdirection, as the band instead emerges from a midfield stage which connects to the main stage by a long ramp. After kicking off with “Pop," they perform a mash-up of old favorites from their debut album.

File:PopOdyssey tour God Must've Spent segment.jpeg]]

After performing newer song “The Two of Us”, a film segment of Lance Bass and Chris Kirkpatrick in cowboy attire prefaces “Space Cowboy.” The video directs the audience to look upwards, and the guys appear on the rafters of the stage. Harnesses take them flying above the crowds and to the midfield stage. They return to the main stage and each guy rides a futuristic-style mechanical bull.

The guys transition to the ballad “This I Promise You,” accompanied only by guitar, piano, and saxophone, and ending with a new harmony by the guys. A 1920s-style film segment titled “There Was Once a Flower” has Justin Timberlake playing a Charlie Chaplin-esque figure (just like in the "Gone" music video) trying to give a flower to his love interest, only to be rejected. The camera zooms in on Timberlake with a tear rolling down his face, saying, “I just can’t believe she’s gone.” The band, dressed in Prohibition era costumes, sing “Gone” while sitting on steps on the main stage. As Timberlake is the main singer in this song, he moves downstage solo to the catwalk and engages in theatrical displays of heartbrokenness.

As Timberlake concludes singing, bandmate Kirkpatrick joins him onstage and the two humorously fight. While both guys spar, the other band mates swarm the stage on go-karts, wagons, and an oversized teddy bear, accompanied by dancers. To the tune of “Pop Goes the Weasel", the guys spray silly string and squirt water guns at the audience. They perform “It’s Gonna Be Me” with a toy theme, referencing their music video.

They segue into “See Right Through You,” singing and dancing atop moving conveyor belts. For “Up Against the Wall,” the guys are bounced onto Velcro walls brought onstage. A short film plays of JC Chasez stuck in a phone call with his gold-digging girlfriend, a phone call that is interrupted by his band mates. Chasez asks the girlfriend “Wait a minute. Do you want me, or what I can buy you?," and the band performs “Celebrity.”

On the midfield stage, the guys shift into a downtempo segment as Fatone reads letters written by fans in the audience. The guys perform a trio of ballads, “Something Like You”/“Falling/“Selfish”. They switch to the uptempo “No Strings Attached”; there is a gag at the beginning of Timberlake’s verse about him “losing his touch.” After his fruitless attempts to summon his touch, Timberlake finally joins his hands together to form a fireball effect that sets off a row of fireworks on stage.{{Cite web |date=April 3, 2002 |title=Big Boys, Small Screen {{!}} PopGurls |url=https://www.popgurls.com/2002/04/03/big-boys-small-screen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524180256/https://www.popgurls.com/2002/04/03/big-boys-small-screen/ |archive-date=May 24, 2013 |access-date=July 13, 2021 |website=PopGurls |language=en-US}}

The high-tech villain figure Mobius 8 appears midfield playing remixed snippets of NSYNC songs.{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2002 |title=N'Sync lights up the stage with high tech |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/nsync-lights-up-the-stage-with-high-tech/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713091923/https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/nsync-lights-up-the-stage-with-high-tech/ |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |access-date=July 13, 2021 |website=CNET |language=en}} The guys shoot out onto the main stage from unseen elevators and sing “The Game Is Over,” with the screens showing video game effects. The group engages in a video-game “battle” with Mobius. The show ends with “Bye Bye Bye.” Each band member goes inside a cage that is covered in drapes. The drapes are then dropped, revealing the cages to be now empty.

===NSYNC===

• JC Chasez – Lead Tenor Vocals
• Justin Timberlake – Lead Tenor Vocals
• Chris Kirkpatrick – Backing Countertenor Vocals
• Lance Bass – Backing Bass Vocals
• Joey Fatone – Backing Baritone Vocals

On this tour, all six accompanists returned from the No Strings Attached tour. Two new additions would join the ranks, however

• Kevin Antunes – Music Director, Keyboards
• Troy Antunes – Bass
• Billy Ashbaugh – Drums, Percussion
• Greg Howe – Lead Guitar
• Ruben Ruiz – Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards
• David Cook – Keyboards
• Paul Howards – Saxophone, Percussion, Keyboards
• Juan Sepulveda – Percussion

• Kristin Denehy (now Cameron)
• Chantal Robson
• Annalisia Simone
• Diana Carrendo
• Michele Martinez

• Not So Boy Band (North America—Leg 1,2, select dates){{Cite web |last=Moss |first=Corey |date=June 28, 2001 |title=Joey Fatone's Pops Kicks It Old-School With NSB2 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1444851/joey-fatones-pops-kicks-it-old-school-with-nsb2/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917115010/https://www.mtv.com/news/1444851/joey-fatones-pops-kicks-it-old-school-with-nsb2/ |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2021 |website=MTV News |language=en}}
• BBMak (North America—Leg 1, select dates){{cite web |last=Gelman |first=Jason |date=May 23, 2001 |title='N Sync's PopOdyssey 2001 Tour Kicks Off Today |url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12062925 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214130756/http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12062925 |archive-date=February 14, 2008 |access-date=January 9, 2009 |work=Yahoo! Music}}
• Christina Milian (North America—Leg 1, select dates)
• Dante Thomas (North America—Leg 1, select dates){{cite magazine |author=Sexton |first=Paul |date=September 1, 2001 |title='Miss California' Crowned a Euro Hit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8xEEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Dante+Thomas&pg=PA48 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |magazine=Billboard}}
• Debbie Gibson (North America—Leg 1, select dates){{cite web |last=Gelman |first=Jason |date=August 17, 2001 |title=Deborah Gibson On Tour With *NSYNC |url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12026404 |archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1315708601MQLACFEGKL?url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/nsync/news/artist-name-deborah-gibson-id-1010234-on-tour-with-nsync--12026404 |archive-date=September 11, 2011 |access-date=January 9, 2009 |work=Yahoo! Music}}
• Dream (North America—Leg 1, select dates){{Cite web |last1=Seymour |first1=Craig |last2=Ruberto |first2=Toni |date=June 11, 2001 |title='N Sync Pulls Out All the Stops on a 'Pop Odyssey' |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/n-sync-pulls-out-all-the-stops-on-a-pop-odyssey/article_7bc7d6ab-28bf-5a07-8fd9-9398c63dcdad.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903160754/https://buffalonews.com/news/n-sync-pulls-out-all-the-stops-on-a-pop-odyssey/article_7bc7d6ab-28bf-5a07-8fd9-9398c63dcdad.html |archive-date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=The Buffalo News}}
• Eden's Crush (North America—Leg 1, select dates){{cite web |last=D'Angelo |first=Joe |author2=Gideon Yago |date=March 21, 2001 |title='NSYNC Set Hearts On 'Popstars' For Tour |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1441973/20010321/n_sync.jhtml |archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1315708979PTDYTLGXMU?url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1441973/nsync-nab-popstars-tour.jhtml |archive-date=September 11, 2011 |access-date=January 9, 2009 |work=MTV News}}
• Li'l Johnnie (North America—Leg 1, select dates){{cite web|last=Cobb|first=Trudy|date=3 October 2001|title=Student Chopper Platt tours nation as Hip Hop dancer|url=http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2001/0110/0102-ae020.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011219230826/https://wmich.edu/wmu/news/2001/0110/0102-ae020.html|archive-date=19 December 2001|access-date=13 September 2011|work=WMU News|publisher=Western Michigan University}}
• Meredith Edwards (North America—Leg 1, select dates){{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1441732/lance-bass-proteacutegeacute-goes-country.jhtml |title=Lance Bass Protégé Meredith Edwards In Sync With Country |author=Zhito, Laura |date=16 March 2001 |work=MTV News |access-date=10 September 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121104190355/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1441732/lance-bass-proteacutegeacute-goes-country.jhtml|url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2012}}
• Samantha Mumba (North America—Leg 1, select dates){{cite web |author=Moore |first=Roger |date=March 6, 2002 |title=Samantha Mumba Speeds Along With Her Movie Debut, New Album |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2002/03/06/she-rides-fames-time-machine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603082135/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2002-03-06/lifestyle/0203050401_1_time-machine-mikado-dublin |archive-date=June 3, 2016 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |work=Orlando Sentinel}}
• 3LW (Chicago, Jacksonville, Hershey){{Cite web |date=June 27, 2001 |title=Bye, bye, bye, N'Sync |url=https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/nsync |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903183654/https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/nsync |archive-date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=OnMilwaukee}}
• Tony Lucca (Jacksonville, Tampa){{Cite news |last=Moser |first=John J. |date=December 5, 2009 |title=Indie music takes Tony Lucca beyond Mickey Mouse career |pages=35 |work=The Morning Call |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105389270/indie-music-takes-tony-lucca-beyond/ |access-date=August 20, 2022}}
• Lil' Romeo (Jacksonville, St. Louis, Houston){{Cite web |date=May 23, 2001 |title=Lil' Romeo To Kick Off *N Sync's Tour Opener |url=https://idobi.com/news/lil-romeo-to-kick-off-n-syncs-tour-opener/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903183651/https://idobi.com/news/lil-romeo-to-kick-off-n-syncs-tour-opener/ |archive-date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=idobi.com |language=en-US}}
• Amanda (Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Columbus, New Orleans, Jackson){{cite web |last=Gelman |first=Jason |date=June 8, 2001 |title=Amanda To Open For 'N Sync & O-Town |url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12033772 |archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1315708874JVPKBFTDXD?url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/nsync/news/artist-name-amanda-id-1097346-to-open-for-n-sync-o-town--12033772 |archive-date=September 11, 2011 |access-date=January 9, 2009 |work=Yahoo! Music}}
• Tonya Mitchell (Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, San Diego, Anaheim)

The following setlist was obtained from the concert held on May 23, 2001, at the Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1444021/nsync-kick-off-tour.jhtml |title='NSYNC Tour Opener: Dirty Pop And Matching Chaps |author=Marino, Nick |date=24 May 2001 |work=MTV News |access-date=10 September 2011|archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1315711523EIMBOGWGUB?url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1444021/nsync-kick-off-tour.jhtml |archive-date=11 September 2011}}

1. "Pop"
2. "Tearin' Up My Heart" / "I Want You Back"
3. "(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You" (contains elements of "Music of My Heart")
4. "The Two of Us"
5. "Space Cowboy (Yippie-Yi-Yay)" (contains elements of "Wild Wild West")
6. "This I Promise You"
7. "Gone"
8. "It's Gonna Be Me"
9. "See Right Through You"
10. "Up Against the Wall"
11. "Celebrity"
12. "Something Like You" / "Falling" / "Selfish"
13. "No Strings Attached"

;Encore

14. "The Game Is Over" (contains elements of "Can't Stop the Rocket", "Mars: The Bringer of War" from The Planets and "Bye Bye Bye") (featuring Mobius 8)
15. "Bye Bye Bye"

;Cancellations and rescheduled shows

The tour was documented for video during the concert at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Bandmember JC Chasez mentioned the band chose to film at that venue because rehearsals were held at that facility. The VHS, entitled *NSYNC: PopOdyssey Live, was released on November 21, 2001. A DVD edition was released on April 23, 2002.{{Cite web|title=*NSYNC: PopOdyssey Live|url=https://www.amazon.com/Nsync-PopOdyssey-Live-Chris-Kirkpatrick/dp/B000065FMP|publisher=Jive Records|asin=B000065FMP}} The DVD featured the entire concert along with special features, which included: interviews with each bandmember, behind-the-scenes Easter eggs, photo gallery, profile of each musician, web links and a documentary.{{cite web |url=http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/NSYNC-Popodyssey-Live/NSYNC/e/12414177896#TABS |title=*NSYNC: Popodyssey Live |work=Barnes & Noble |publisher=All Media Guide, LLC |access-date=3 October 2011|archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1317680219GTSZKWEGCG?url=http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/NSYNC-Popodyssey-Live/NSYNC/e/12414177896%23TABS |archive-date=3 October 2011}} A special intro video was made for the video release to explain the meaning of the tour name. The original video shown at the beginning of each concert was made available as a special feature. For the Celebrity Tour, the concert at the TD Waterhouse Centre was filmed for a possible DVD release. However, the footage was deemed "unusable" and not released. Bootleg DVDs were sold on eBay in 2003 with amateur footage of the concert in Anaheim. A professionally filmed video montage appeared on YouTube in 2006.{{cite video |people='N Sync |date=14 January 2006 |title=Nsync – Celebrity Tour Montage |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKbV-3hFvGI |publisher=YouTube |access-date=5 October 2011 |archive-date=30 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630094127/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKbV-3hFvGI |url-status=live }}

Before the group began the Celebrity Tour, they performed a few promotional concerts that aired on television. The first was a CBS Thanksgiving special entitled "*NSYNC: The Atlantis Concert". The show was filmed at the Atlantis Paradise Island on November 14 and 15, 2001.{{cite web |url=http://www.livedaily.citysearch.com/news/3933.html|title='NSync to tape TV special with Tim McGraw|author=Evans, Rob|date=9 November 2001 |work=LiveDaily |publisher=Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. |access-date=14 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011117013552/http://www.livedaily.citysearch.com/news/3933.html|archive-date=17 November 2001}} The concert was exclusive to guests of the hotel and featured duets with country recording artist, Tim McGraw. The special aired on November 23, 2001 alongside The Rugrats Movie. This concert was followed with another promotional performance. To celebrate the 2002 Winter Olympics, the band was one of the headlining performers for the "Olympic Celebration Concert Series". The concert was filmed at the Olympic Medals Plaza on February 23, 2002. The concert aired live on NBC.

The tour received generally positive reviews for its lavish visual effects, the band’s stage presence, and the group’s new songs from Celebrity. Scott Mervis of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette called the show at RFK Stadium the "mother of all stadium tours",{{cite web |author=Mervis, Scott |date=August 17, 2001 |title='N Sync: 'World's biggest band' delivers the ultimate in stadium sizzle |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/20010816nsync0817p1.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129075929/http://old.post-gazette.com/ae/20010816nsync0817p1.asp |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |access-date=August 25, 2021 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}} and Jon Bream of the Star Tribune noted the effects were bigger, brighter and bolder than their last tour.{{cite web|author=Bream, Jon|date=24 June 2001|title=NSYNC steals hearts|url=http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print_This_Story?sid=11509511|archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1315714277XFBGZAOKHD?url=http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print_This_Story?sid%3D11509511|archive-date=11 September 2011|access-date=10 September 2011|work=Star Tribune}} For the debut concert at Altell Stadium, Nick Marino of The Florida Times-Union wrote that despite the massive stage, the band's stage presence was out of this world. Marino stated PopOdyssey is "a big pop show, an expensive pop show, but a pop show all the same. NSYNC realizes (thank goodness) that they are famous, in part, for being famous, and they're using that fact as the touchstone for this entire tour. Pretty smart".

Bream also noted, "This time around, the Prefab Five seemed to be projecting more of an attitude, as if some of the songs and the messages on the video screen were flipping a figurative finger at critics. The feistiness adds a much-needed edge, but if critics are NSYNC's biggest gripe, these guys have nothing to complain about". Sean Richardson of the Boston Phoenix thought the show at Foxboro Stadium was "colorful", praising the humor of the vignettes and the audience engagement.{{cite web|author=Richardson, Sean|date=7 June 2001|title='N SYNC: Celebrity Skin|url=http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/music/live/documents/01665052.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010624021959/https://bostonphoenix.com/boston/music/live/documents/01665052.htm|archive-date=24 June 2001|access-date=10 September 2011|work=Boston Phoenix}} Peter Debruge from Entertainment Weekly said the show at Hersheypark Stadium more closely resembled a Super Bowl halftime show than a traditional concert, saying, "Love them or hate them, you've got to admit NSYNC puts on a killer show".{{cite magazine |author=Debruge |first=Peter |date=June 12, 2001 |title=Justin Time |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/06/12/ewcom-reviews-n-sync-tour/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606124908/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,130059,00.html |archive-date=June 6, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2011 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}

Jane Stevenson of Jam! gave the SkyDome show three and a half out of five stars. She stated the band's decision to perform 10 songs from Celebrity as part of their 18-song set list was risky but wise, and that the "more dance-oriented tunes...will only help to spur sales" of the new album. In a review of the opening show of the band's three-night run at Giants Stadium, Neil Strauss of The New York Times compared the show to U2's PopMart Tour, stating that PopOdyssey "was everything that U2's PopMart was afraid to be—sheer spectacle for the sake of nothing but spectacle."{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/05/arts/pop-review-bye-bye-bye-to-n-sync-s-baby-bop-bubble-gum.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |title=POP REVIEW; Bye Bye Bye To 'N Sync's Baby Bop Bubble Gum |author=Strauss, Neil |date=5 June 2001 |work=The New York Times |access-date=10 September 2011 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129065047/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/05/arts/pop-review-bye-bye-bye-to-n-sync-s-baby-bop-bubble-gum.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |url-status=live }} Though Strauss said the opening number "Pop" was not as strong of a single as "Bye Bye Bye," he commented the band showed a more aggressive side in showing they write their own songs. Strauss singled out the new song "The Game Is Over" for its "futuristic urban twist...with a skittering, robotic video-game beat."

Critics also argued the increased use of dazzling effects distracted from the music and performance.{{Cite web |last=Selvin |first=Joel |date=July 23, 2001 |title='N Sincere / Teen idols use elaborate stage show for crass self-promotion |url=https://www.sfgate.com/music/article/N-Sincere-Teen-idols-use-elaborate-stage-show-2896128.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126053513/https://www.sfgate.com/music/article/N-Sincere-Teen-idols-use-elaborate-stage-show-2896128.php |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |website=SF Chronicle}} Writing about the Giants Stadium concert, Isaac Guzman of the New York Daily News considered the show to be "all sizzle, no steak".{{cite web|author=Guzman, Isaac|title='n Sync Larger Than Life|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2001-06-05/entertainment/18179112_1_celebrity-bye-three-sold-out-nights|archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1315712851HLYRADPSBO?url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2001-06-05/entertainment/18179112_1_celebrity-bye-three-sold-out-nights|archive-date=11 September 2011|access-date=10 September 2011|work=New York Daily News}} In a review of the Chicago show, Phil Gallo of Variety felt "many fans will have trouble digesting all the audiovisual information on offer" and that the production lacked cohesiveness. Gallo also noted that while the first half of the show seems focused on JC Chasez, "the second half is almost all Justin Timberlake, the heartthrob who does a fine job in the band’s faux silent movie...during “Gone,” arguably the band’s strongest ballad in its three-album career."

Of PopOdyssey's heavy use of effects, Chris Kirkpatrick said the band felt they needed these elements because it was a stadium tour. He commented, "When you're playing in the middle of a giant stadium you have to make it big and you have to be big. It was called the 'Pop Odyssey.' It was a spectacle more than anything else. The music was a big part, but we put a lot into just making it a great show."{{Cite web |last=Baird |first=Kirk |date=March 15, 2002 |title='NSync still high 'n' mighty |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/mar/15/nsync-still-high-n-mighty/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713105942/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/mar/15/nsync-still-high-n-mighty/ |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |access-date=July 13, 2021 |website=Las Vegas Sun |language=en}} The band returned to a more stripped-down, less flashier setting when they embarked on the Celebrity tour in March 2002.

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• {{official website|http://www.nsync.com/}}

{{'N Sync}}

Category:NSYNC concert tours

Category:2001 concert tours

Category:Concert tours of the United States

Category:Concert tours of Canada