The 31-year-old star - who hasn't released a record since 2006's Future Sex/Love Sounds - made a sudden chart reappearance earlier this month with Suit & Tie, a collaboration with Jay-Z, and is now set to perform at the DTV Superfan Stadium in New Orleans for 'DIRECTV Super Saturday Night' show on February 2, an invite-only event which will benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The concert will mark Justin's first public performance in five years.

The singer-and-actor will release his third solo album, The 20/20 Experience later this year, and recently admitted he hadn't expected to release any new material when he returned to the recording studio last summer.

In an open letter to his fans, Timberlake wrote: "So, here goes: This year is an exciting one for me. As you probably have heard through the 'grapevine,' I'm gearing up for a big 2013.

"Back in June of last year, I quietly started working on what is now, my next journey with that thing I love called MUSIC.

"The inspiration for this really came out of the blue and to be honest, I didn't expect anything out of it.

"I just went into the studio and started playing around with some sounds and songs.

"It was probably the best time I've had in my career... Just creating with no rules and/or end goal in mind and really enjoying the process."