With a title as all-encompassing as ‘Past, Present, Future,’ Usher had the tallest of tasks in front of him heading into his latest live adventure.
For over three decades, the superstar has released music that has served as the soundtrack to the lives of multiple generations.
As such, carving out a setlist from his colossal catalog and cultivating a spectacle that captured the enormity of his artistic offering was no easy feat.
Yet, it’s one that Usher and his stellar cast of creatives achieved in earnest.
That Grape Juice was on hand during the icon’s unprecedented 10-night run at London’s O2 Arena.
Join us below as we recap a rollercoaster that powerfully – and aptly – toasted the past, present, and future.
Thematically, the show takes a fairly literal approach to its celebration of the performer’s legacy. The power of technology saw various “Ushers” in dialogue with each other ahead of songs. While a time machine took revellers back and forth between eras.
Unsurprisingly, much like in Usher’s career at large, choreography played a central role in the show. And it was perhaps the most encapsulating of the tour’s title. For, at 46 years old, he moved with seasoned ease. He blended contemporary choreography (and even rollerskating) with the classic dance breaks that define some of his most beloved music videos. The flawless execution of the ‘You Remind Me’ handstand was a particular highlight, as was the electricity of ‘OMG.’
Usher’s status as the consummate showman precedes him. Yet, there’s no denying that the sheen of his ultra-viral Las Vegas run has gifted this experience a particular polish. The King of R&B was the ringmaster of what was a well-oiled “show.” Yes, the hits were plenty. But his charisma, charm, and command of all corners of the spectacle equally mobilized the ride.
Drawing on references from his idols, he skilfully paused to soak in the adulation from the crowd – ala Michael Jackson. Elsewhere, he mirrored Marvin Gaye’s sensual moves during ‘Nice & Slow.’ One can’t forget his cherry-dropping expedition in the crowd either. All went down a sweet treat.
So too did the brief but sweet nod to ‘Pop Ya Collar,’ a beloved international single from the ‘8701’ era that the internet at large only recently discovered was never a single in the US. Almost 25 years on, it clearly reverberates in the UK, as the O2 belted the bop in passionate unison.
Of all the eras the concert touched on, ‘Confessions’ was unquestionably its centerpiece. The back-to-back run of the title-track, ’Burn,’ ‘Superstar,’ ‘Bad Girl,’ and ‘Yeah’ sent London into a frenzy. There are artists, albums, and eras that are woven into the fabric of pop culture, and it is clear that both Usher and the game-changing ‘Confessions’ record are defining of this.
Still, we took equal pleasure from the spotlight shining on newer gems like ‘Coming Home,’ ‘BIG,’ and ‘Don’t Waste My Time.’ That said, we would have liked to see more expanded showings of recent singles ‘Good Good’ and ‘Ruin.’ Both are exquisite and deserve their flowers live.
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A seismic celebration of a career like no other, the show sees Usher harness the past in the present and inspire future performers with a skillset and hit-set that are ever enduring.
That Grape Juice Rating:
☆☆☆☆☆
5/5
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Looks so fun! I wanna see Usher 😩
rumah mampu milik sangat 400k
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macam nak nangis ja..rumah sempit gila
ni area nak ke nilai
But he grossed less than Chris and lost the Grammy to him 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂Chris Browns LESSOR
Ushers tour gross hasn’t been released yet but it’s still impossible for Chris’ tour to outgross his. Not that it matters because they’re both great in their own right. Usher did 2-3 dates per city and had major demand. I doubt his final gross is gonna be less than $250M.
Your brain should be examiner for CTE. Chris Brown entire tour grossed 80 million. Usher Tour in the United States alone grossed 88 million. Chris on his Second Grammy in 20 years yippee LMAO SMH
PAST PRESENT FUTURE, @Usher
$90,572,249 Revenue ($2,322,365 avg.)
517,377 Tickets Sold (13,266 avg.)
$175.06 Average Price
39/82 Reported Shows
11:11, @chrisbrown
$82,379,223 Revenue ($2,288,312 avg.)
446,109 Tickets Sold (12,391 avg.)
$184.66 Average Price
36/40 Reported Shows
And Usher Tour isn’t even over yet. So the numbers are only gonna go up lol
Chris Brown is a master talent. A supremely gifted Mount Rushmore of dance. He has no competition. He is singular..
Usher is a regular R&B singer. No special singing talent. No special dancing talent. But he’s made some umm I’d say mid contributions to R&B so he’s ok.
Usher doesn’t even remotely compare to Chris Brown. An Usher knows that. Believe me he does.
Good for Usher but his music is so mid. Never found his music good like Beyonce or Chris Browns. Wash rinse recycle music. Many are now going to see Usher because he’s one of the few left. Not that his music is that good. Like listen to confessions just very plain music.
Why da hell he is wearing a fur coat on the stage? He’s already sweat like a dog..
3 decades but only 4 good songs at max. Don’t know why he act s***, nothing in him gives s***… It’s giving S*** Red🤷♂️
4 good songs?? Nine billboard 100 Number ones. 18 hot 100 top 10 hits. Over 100 million Digital singles sold. I guess millions of people disagreed with your dumb take LMAO.
So? Taylor Swift sold more it doesn’t mean she has good songs…. He has a fan base just like Taylor… K-pop bands same thing…
He doesn’t have one song in the level of the GOAT’S like MJ PRINCE MADONNA Janet Jackson he’s the K-pop of the US.
Meanwhile he has the biggest R&B selling album of this century and the most R&B Number one songs. Nobody in their right mind is ever said Usher was K-pop you’re either old AF, deaf or mentally ill lol
You made an entire another paragraph proving my first comment that literally millions of people had a different and more positive opinion about his music than your arranged and weird take. Music is personal choice but the numbers is what is the facts.
The Taylor Swift of R&B, you just proved my point. 🤣
Gangnam style was a huge hit it doesn’t mean it’s good music. You having hard time understanding the difference between quality and microwave music. Usher got 3 good songs max 4. The rest of his catalog is microwaved US(-K-)pop 💩 his fan base are 40-50-60 yo Lizzos 🤣
Justin Snowingflake could nevah!!! I know he somewhere in the woods depressed he ain’t him. Sucks to suck. Oh well. Ursha, Baby!!!
I’m sitting here reminiscing about the steamy X rated bedroom session me and my man had while “Changing Places” was blasting in the background.
Good times.
Trading*
Good for Usher but his music is so mid. Never found his music good like Beyonce or Chris Browns. Wash rinse recycle music. Many are now going to see Usher because he’s one of the few left. Not that his music is that good. Like listen to confessions just very plain music.