House of Music

Usher

Oakland Arena

Oakland, CA

September 28th, 2024

Photos and Review by Alexander Andrade

On Saturday night, the Oakland Arena was packed to the brim as fans gathered for the first night of Usher’s highly anticipated “Past, Present, Future” Tour. The energy was palpable even before the show began, with a DJ setting the mood, spinning Bay Area classics that had the crowd buzzing with excitement. By the time the clock struck 9 p.m. and the lights dimmed, the anticipation was at its peak.

A deep, robotic voice boomed through the speakers, inviting the audience on an “intimate ride” through the dimensions of Usher’s career. Moments later, a massive LED cube illuminated the stage, projecting images of the R&B icon, marking the beginning of a show that would span over three decades of Usher’s music. Then, in true superstar fashion, Usher emerged from beneath the stage, dazzling in a diamond-encrusted coat, hat, and glasses, as he opened with “Coming Home.” With a spotlight following his every move, Usher immediately commanded the audience’s attention, controlling the light as though it were an extension of himself.

By the second song, “Hey Daddy,” Usher had discarded his hat, seamlessly shifting into fast-paced choreography alongside his backup dancers. His charisma was undeniable as he asked the crowd, “How y’all feeling tonight?” before shedding his trench coat to reveal a sparkling, all-black suit, perfectly setting the tone for his performance of “BIG.”

The 45-year-old then took a reflective moment, standing still on stage to watch a video montage of his early days—a nod to his humble beginnings and his undeniable rise to stardom. The show’s narrative wove through his personal journey, with Usher skating around the stage for hits like “Love in This Club” and “New Flame,” mixing rollerblading skills with sultry choreography. As “New Flame” wound down, he effortlessly shifted gears, diving into the high-energy “Party” as his dancers transformed into dazzling, all-black outfits adorned with sparkles.

One of the most captivating aspects of the night was the unpredictability of Usher’s setlist. He artfully mixed old and new, refusing to adhere to a strict chronological order. One moment, the audience was bouncing to a club anthem; the next, they were swaying to the slow-paced, sensual “Lovers and Friends.” As the ballad unfolded, Usher disappeared, leaving behind a captivating visual—a two-level stage displaying silhouettes of a couple in a dreamlike, intimate choreography, evoking the feel of a live music video.

After a brief interlude, Usher reappeared, now in a white tank top and jeans, taking his time to reach the front of the stage as fog billowed out, setting the mood for his confessional hits. During “Confessions,” Usher held the audience in rapt attention as he sang about heartache and betrayal, while fog and dramatic lighting added a cinematic quality to the performance.

Throughout the night, Usher played with the live music video concept, with songs like “U Got It Bad” and “Climax” featuring dancers on different levels of the stage, moving in sync with the emotional depth of the songs. He also interacted directly with fans, walking through the crowd and giving lucky audience members the chance to sing along to “There Goes My Baby.”

In true showman style, Usher then transformed the arena into “Club Usher,” performing “My Boo” while playfully feeding fans cherries and making drinks on stage. He kept the surprises coming, performing “I Don’t Mind” with two poles on stage, tossing money around as a nod to the song’s lyrics about a stripper.

As the night progressed, Usher delivered a flurry of hits, revisiting fan favorites from Confessions like “Throwback,” “Seduction,” and “Bad Girl,” as well as selections from his newer work, including songs from his Coming Home project and 2019’s A, a collaboration with Zaytoven. But it was his final performance that truly brought the house down. Usher closed out the show with a euphoric rendition of his iconic 2004 hit “Yeah!”—a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable evening.

Usher’s “Past, Present, Future” tour at Oakland Arena was more than just a concert; it was a celebration of an artist who has mastered the art of reinvention while staying true to his roots. Fans were left exhilarated, knowing they had just witnessed a show that blended nostalgia, innovation, and pure showmanship—an intimate ride indeed.