Footage of Justin Bieber partially singing “Where Are Ü Now” over an acoustic guitar while backstage before performing at Wango Tango is now online.
The Canadian was the tandem headliner with Kanye West at KIIS FM’s Carson, California, May 9 concert, which saw artists such as Calvin Harris, Nick Jonas, Sia, and more, on the lineup. The Biebs’ show marked his first solo, big stage comeback since his last tour date in December 2013.
But back to Bieber’s acoustic run-though of “ Where Are Ü Now.”
Late Tuesday, the official Twitter account for the celebrity app Fahlo posted the link to a locked video, captioned, “Shhh! I just got the exclusive on Fahlo: A very special moment behind the scenes #Wango Tango (sic)”
The black-and-white video is accessed with a threshold amount of site credits. Once it was first opened, the clip quickly made its way onto YouTube.
Bieber is seen marking vocal cues and noting lyrics to “Where Are Ü Now,” in what looks like his dressing room, while accompanied on acoustic guitar by longtime musical director and fellow Canadian Dan Kanter.
The crooner doesn’t actually sing the song out in full voice, or sing it to the end. It’s a run-through before his Wango Tango set, which he closed with an synchronized version of the track.
At the end of Bieber’s backstage warm-up, he is heard saying “I think I got it now” to Dan. To which, the man-bun-wearing guitarist replied, “It’s so intense,” really intensely.
The single is a collaboration between the Biebs and Jack Ü’s Skrillex and Diplo . It appears on the duo’s debut album and is currently atop Shazam U.K.’s top 100 chart amid soaring on Billboard’s dance charts. It is at No. 30 on the Hot 100 single chart and No. 22 on the Mediabase pop radio airplay chart.
The bittersweet EDM jam has attracted widespread critical reviews and is receiving major radio love. Before Bieber’s Wango Tango performance, he was interviewed by L.A. radio station 102.7 KIIS FM. During the sit-down, the singer revealed the origin story of “Where Are Ü Now.”
“The song was actually just me and a piano, and then Skrillex came in and did his stuff,” Bieber recalled. “Him and Diplo came in and messed up the beat,” he joked, adding that the trio will “possibly” work on his upcoming album.
Bieber also said his new album, which is being produced by West and Rick Rubin, is now in the “final touch stage.”
The Biebs hit up a Hollywood recording studio with Skrillex on May 5 , May 11 and May 12 into morning of May 13.
Late night in the studio. Thank you and curse you @Skrillex for reminding me of my love for Oreos.
— Dan Kanter (@dankanter) May 13, 2015
Good night in the studio
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) May 13, 2015
The videos that follow are fan-filmed footage shot last night (May 12). Skrillex is heard on the first clip telling a group of fans , who waited outside the studio, that Bieber “loves” and always talks about Beliebers. The Biebs is heard agreeing.
IM CRYING pic.twitter.com/CAdxitMy9v
— Eveny P. (@Eveny20) May 13, 2015
In the next clip, Bieber jokes to the same fans that Skrillex’s twin brother had spoken to them and not the producer-DJ.
HES THE CUTEST THING EVER pic.twitter.com/jkDTNplaUH
— sas (@starrkowlessar) May 13, 2015
“I just wanted to come out to say hi. I’ll be back out before I go” https://t.co/BTEHuBskRp
— shell (@_sheeell) May 13, 2015
According to the fans, Bieber allegedly told them he won’t be leaving the studio until his new album is done. It looks like Skrillex is bringing the mothership home.
met @Skrillex tonight too pic.twitter.com/fm5i6dFLQw
— L (@lexxyyboo) May 13, 2015
no pictures with justin tonight but we got one with skrillex pic.twitter.com/3EAhhpzwKz
— tay bieber (@taylorannJDB) May 13, 2015
[Images via Getty Images for 102.7 102.7 KIIS FM Wango Tango]