Justin Timberlake Creates Frenzy with Surprise Performance in Hoboken

By Tim Nudd

08/29/2013 at 08:30 AM EDT

Justin Timberlake in Hoboken, N.J.

The Jersey Journal/Landov

Justin Timberlake drew thousands of buzzing fans to downtown Hoboken, N.J., on Wednesday for the briefest of surprise concerts – though only 150 lucky souls actually got to see him perform.

The occasion was a commercial shoot for a new Target ad. The venue? Maxwell's, the revered Hoboken music club which closed on July 31 after 35 years.

"Join me & @Target tonight for just one song. Let's 'Take Back the Night.' First 150 get in. See you there!" Timberlake, 32, wrote on Twitter at 7:32 p.m.

Within minutes, thousands of fans and the news media descended on the club at Washington and 11th streets. Police used loudspeakers to try to keep the scene orderly, but the crowd spilled into the streets, the Jersey Journal reported.

Jessica Biel in Hoboken

The Jersey Journal / Landov

Timberlake was later photographed leaving a trailer parked nearby and heading into the club. His wife, Jessica Biel, was also on hand.

This isn't Timberlake's first surprise stunt with Target. Earlier this year, the retailer got 20 of his biggest fans together for an ad shoot and then shocked them by having Timberlake stroll on set to sing with them.

The Maxwell's gig came three days after Timberlake's big night at MTV's Video Music Awards, where he briefly reunited with 'NSYNC and won video of the year for "Mirrors."