Live
USHER: o2 INDIGO 22/05/08
When Usher is in town there is always a tinge of excitement in the air and tonight was certainly no exception.
Arriving slightly, but expectantly late like a willing bride to the chapel of R&B. Awaiting was the high octane audience, who like the nervy groom were in a excited expectant mood. Usher Raymond strode on to the stage like the bad ass cat who got the cream, clad in leather with wrap around shades and a matching smile! He had arrived, and nobody was gonna argue with that!! He quietly said his hellos and acknowledged the loyal determined fans that had procured tickets any which way they could for this sell out (10 times over, at least!) event.
Straight down to business launching into songs from the new ‘Here I stand’ album including ballady new tune ‘Moving Mountains’ and rhythm driven 'This Aint Sex'... By the time he turns his attention to some familiar material, the audience is almost at the height of delirium and eating out the palm of his hand. He gathers momentum in the shape of classics ’You Remind Me‘, ’Confessions’ and ‘Burn‘. All accompanied with tight dance moves of inch perfect precision that has the Usher/quality stamp all over them.
The set itself was sparse, but that tends to be the norm for the Indigo. You don’t get too much room to play with, but he manages to have the back half of a car (mustang, for the geeks) facing up-stage. Two dancers, band members and three chairs. Not to mention some basic lighting - e.g.. ‘Let it Burn’, red and orange flicker. I think you get the picture;)… but it didn’t detract from the white hot moves and the tone perfect vocals from the R&B royalty gracing the stage. This was indeed a stripped down version of an Usher show and as interment (almost) as you could wish. In turn you could be as microscopic as you like with the performance and still find no fault with the delivery.
Just the mention of taking his shirt off drove the crowd to fever pitch as they bayed for the singer to follow through with the provocative idea... ‘You Got it Bad’ was performed next, and seemed very apt for the audience as they sang along with their hero and doted on each note. This was followed by the fine title track from the new album ‘Here I Stand’ which HAS to be released! It ticks every Usher box for simplicity and melody whilst oozing pure R&B form first note delicious last. Further exchange with the audience came with bitter sweet feelings and vulnerability. Firstly in mention of the loss of his father and then becoming a father himself- whilst easily putting pay to a not so clever comment from the crowd.
Special mention goes to the track ‘Love in the Club’ as such a stand alone tune and a welcome return to the charts for the maestro. His performance on this tune, along with the classic anthem ‘You Make Me Wanna’ left you wondering what have we been listening to while this 'daddy cool' has been away. And how glad we are that he's back with what could easily be the best R&B album of the year. Best concert? We’ll see… But thank goodness I was there!
Words LEE TYLER
