Exclusive Review: Usher’s EPIC ’Past, Present, Future’ Tour Cements Superstar as Music’s Leading Showman

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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[Photo Credit: Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images for Usher & Live Nation]