JUSTIN Timberlake - one of the hottest young artists around - performs at the MEN Arena on May 9 and 10.

There are few artists who truly deserve the title of superstar but this youngster is undoubtedly one of them.

As one fifth of the now defunct multiplatinum NSYNC he is responsible for the monster hits Pop, Gone and Girlfriend on the group's last album Celebrity.

But with NSYNC sales of over 30 million worldwide under his belt the youngster is now branching out on his own for his highly anticipated solo tour.

It would have been easy for him to repeat the same winning formula as NSYNC for his debut number one album Justified but he wanted to create something totally different.

"I didn't want to look back five years from now and regret not trying something different," he said.

"It's not like I set out to create some new sound I just wrote what I wanted to hear and drew inspiration from the past."

His musical tastes are diverse mixing soulful R and B, hip hop, rock, blues and country and his hit songs, including Cry Me A River, reflect that.

Although this Memphis native is only 21 his musical knowledge is extremely well rounded and he is already being moulded as the new Michael Jackson.

He wowed the crowds at this year's Brits when he got to duet with one of the hottest female artists of the moment - Kylie Minogue.

His on-off relationship with pop princess Britney Spears has also hit the headlines many times this year making him one of the most talked about stars of 2003.

As co-writer of 13 tracks on his album Justin has proved his talent as a songwriter

He is appearing on stage in the city for just two nights, May 9 and 10, in what is set to be one of the must see concerts of the year.

Tickets, priced £25 and £23,50, are selling fast. To reserve one call the box office on 0870 190 8000.