Essex Police - "catastrophic" traffic chaos after Justin Timberlake performance at Chelmsford City Racecourse

Justin Timberlake kicked off the inaugural Chelmsford City Live festival at Chelmsford City Racecourse with a high-energy headlining performance on 4th July, 2025, drawing a massive crowd. The show was widely praised as an "incredible" and "ultimate" display of pop prowess, packed with back-to-back hits spanning his career. Timberlake delivered a polished, crowd-pleasing setlist that blended classics from Justified and FutureSex/LoveSounds with newer tracks from his 2024 album Everything I Thought It Was.

Fans raved about his charisma and humility— he spotted a pregnant fan's sign ("8 months pregnant but prioritising Timberlake"), signed it onstage with congratulations, and chatted with a 9-year-old girl waving an Independence Day flag, showing appreciation for the holiday vibe. Supporting acts like Jess Glynne added to the electric atmosphere, with many attendees calling it one of his best live shows yet, despite the venue feeling too small for a star of his caliber.

However, the night quickly soured into what Essex Police dubbed "catastrophic" traffic chaos, turning a triumphant concert into a logistical nightmare that left thousands furious and stranded. Inadequate planning led to gridlocked roads around the racecourse, with fans reporting up to 3 hours just to enter the site—many parked in muddy fields with zero guidance, only to face another 3+ hours exiting post-show, trapped in standstill traffic with no stewards in sight.

A car fire exacerbated the mess, shutting down key routes and sparking brawls among frustrated drivers hurling abuse and screams. Organisers Chelmsford City Live issued a "sincere apology" for the "total shambles," but it fell flat—attendees vented on social media about the "embarrassing" disorganisation, demanding refunds and vowing never to return. One fan lamented being "trapped in a field marked as a carpark," while others highlighted the "extremely dangerous" conditions, with police warning lives were at risk. The fallout was severe: the racecourse faced a licence review, had guest numbers slashed for future events, and was barred from large-scale gigs, ensuring such "event disaster" won't repeat.

Overall, Timberlake's performance shone bright, but the venue's failures overshadowed it, leaving a bitter taste for what could have been a flawless night. If you're eyeing future Chelmsford events, proceed with caution—the scars from July 4 run deep.