In a jam-packed halftime spectacle, Usher darted via 13 of his hits in a set that cribbed liberally from his current Las Vegas residency, which itself was a retrospective of his 30-year profession.
At Tremendous Bowl LVIII, held in Las Vegas’s Allegiant Stadium, a regal theme was evident from the beginning as Usher first appeared atop a small stage, seated on a throne, wearing all white with a white fur cloak wrapped round his shoulders.
Descending a brief platform as he sang the opening verse of “Caught Up,” an upbeat single from his landmark “Confessions” album, Usher received proper to the sort of kinetic and dance-heavy efficiency he’s identified for. He hit the turf to bop amid a phalanx of showgirls and showmen who have been outfitted in plumage and sequins earlier than reaching a stage at midfield.
He glided via “U Don’t Have to Call,” a buoyant breakup jam from 2001, hit the infectious excessive notes that open the R&B serenade “Superstar,” and grooved to a couple bars of “Love in This Club” as a marching band blared out the core of the synth-driven track.
Usher then threw the highlight to Alicia Keys, who performed the opening of her hit “If I Ain’t Got You” earlier than he joined her at a crimson piano for a slower, much less bodily demanding portion of the efficiency. As they duetted their 2004 collaboration, “My Boo,” their chemistry was evident when the pair vamped, cooed and, lastly, embraced.
The producer Jermaine Dupri has been Usher’s most prolific musical associate and mentor for the reason that duo first labored collectively on 1997’s “My Way,” Usher’s second studio album. The Atlanta-based Dupri ramped up the vitality introducing the bouncing, mid-tempo “Confessions Part II,” the one on the coronary heart of their diamond-selling album of an identical title.
Stationary at a mic stand, Usher wove via “Nice & Slow” — with a nod to the viral social media quiz which asks “It’s 7 o’clock. Where is Usher?” — “Burn” and “U Got It Bad.” Performing in entrance of a backing band, Usher disrobed, discarding his sequined sleeveless shirt first for a easy tank prime, after which going shirtless for the jittering, ticking choreography from the song’s video and which he has employed throughout his residency.
The artist H.E.R. took the stage to strum the refrain of “Bad Girl” as Usher receded from the highlight for a dressing up change. Dancers on curler skates took over and Usher re-emerged for “OMG,” performing his curler dance with will.i.am, who was featured on the one. The 2 beforehand shared the Tremendous Bowl halftime stage in 2011, when Usher joined the Black Eyed Peas to carry out the identical track, which he memorably punctuated by leaping over will.i.am and touchdown in a full cut up.
The halftime efficiency, which spanned 13 minutes, appeared a feat of transitions that deftly wove collectively such a loaded set checklist. Its finale was maybe the least stunning of all. The crunk rapper Lil Jon shouted a couple of measures of his 2013 megahit “Turn Down for What” earlier than the music segued into “Yeah!” (2004), Usher’s longest-charting No. 1 hit, which spent 12 weeks within the prime spot, and the duo was joined by Ludacris for an lively, Atlanta-referencing fruits.
