Last night was girls night.
Just me, my darling daughter…and Usher.
Well, truth be told – and a few thousand other screaming, hip hopping “Chi-s”.
Usher doesn’t say Chicago.
It’s not hip.
He says “Chi”.
I like it.
What I love most about Usher: the dancing.
I knew the show would be incredible. Turn on any single music genre award show, and Usher is hands down always the best performance.
I absolutely love the theatrics included in a live concert or show. And his Usher OMG tour is on fire.
As you are seated a pair of DJs are spinning on stage. That was cool. Instant dance party as soon as you enter the arena. Loved it.
Next Akon took the stage, who was almost as fabulous a show as Usher.
His oversize video wall and entire stage was a massive, South African costumed Zulu – Zumba dance fest of freedom, artistic expression, and pure happiness. I was dissapointed when he played his last song, and it came to an abrupt end.
But…the Usher stage reveal quickly began.
The sixty foot white drape was aglow…and once the music began shadowed silhouette figures began to appear – each one appearing to be Usher.
I loved the throwback Gene Kelly style of back lit dancing.
The crowd went wild with each proposed shadow – which one WAS he?
Then suddenly, in the ultimate dramatic twist, Usher appeared opposite the stage – rising out of the floor at the far end of the arena.
That was cool.
Never have I seen that before.
The light shows were pure fantasy – I have never seen any show like it.
The half dozen moving video screens was another brilliant design element – they would raise, lower, shift, and create a constant source of moving artistry.
As were the eight rubber band man dancers – who jumped out of the floor from trampolines, as if super heroes.
And the costumes…crazy cool. There had to be a dozen wardrobe changes in the two hour performance.
But the star of the show? Usher’s moves.
His dancing, crisp and precise as usual, mirrors each and every single smash hit video.
I always say he’s the next Michael Jackson, and last night he paid tribute to “his music icon”, whom he praised for inspiring him when he was just a young five year old boy, growing up in rural Tennessee.
To a medley of all the top MJ dance songs, from Jackson Five to modern Michael, it was an amazing montage of all the iconic moves in sparkling black high tops…a la Michael’s sparkled white glove.
Yeah was a favorite – the screens and the stage were so jaw dropping.
And as you can see, his hip hop wardrobe layers…are coming off one by one.
Each costume change – still coming off – one by one.
We danced.
We screamed.
We had a total blast.
The final song is OMG – duh – of course.
Fireworks – everywhere onstage. Big ones – like the fourth of July.
Confetti canons covered the entire arena – you could hardly see the stage.
I am afraid my Blackberry Bold couldn’t keep up with demand, and died a few songs in.
And when he finally finished rocking the house, we got into our car, and belted out his car jams the entire way home.
This morning we were both COMPLETELY hoarse.
All told – from decor to lighting to stage design to costumes to dancing – oh – the dancing – it is a great, GREAT show.
Just unbelievable.
Catch him in your city – if you can.
Yeah.
