After kicking off the highly-anticipated tour all the way back in August, Usher finally took to the stage on Saturday accompanied by dry ice and laser beams, for the first night of his 10 sold-out shows at London’s O2 Arena.
And the R&B star, 46, made sure to start off his string of gigs in the capital with a bang, pulling out all the stops for another show-stopping performance.
Usher will be playing at the stadium for 10 nights, before heading to Paris, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam and Berlin, before arriving back in London to close out his staggering Past Present and Future tour on May 7.
The singer – whose full name is Usher Terry Raymond IV – looked ecstatic to be performing hits like Yeah, Burn, U Remind Me and OMG, in front of the huge crowd of around 200,000 people.
He stepped out in a whopping seven different head-turning outfits, including a glittering head-to-toe suit, a huge fur coat and Union Jack emblazoned leather look.
And he showed he’s still got his incredible falsetto and enviable dancing skills as he showed off his effortlessly slick moves with his backing dancers.
After kicking off the highly-anticipated tour all the way back in August, Usher finally took to the stage on Saturday accompanied by dry ice and laser beams, for the first night of his 10 sold-out shows at London’s O2 Arena
And the R&B star, 46, made sure to start off his string of gigs in the capital with a bang, pulling out all the stops for another show-stopping performance
At one point Usher even donned a pair of roller skates to slide around the stage, demonstrating an impeccable moonwalk and handstand.
During the show, he also chatted to guests and took selfies with them on the stage, to which the audience went wild.
Among the crowd were even a few famous faces, including Hollywood star Daniel Kaluuya, model Leomie Anderson and TV presenter Maya Jama.
The Love Island host, 30, appeared in high spirits as she was spotted twerking away during the performance in a video posted to her Instagram Stories.
Usher also utilised AI technology to take fans through his life story, with a clip of him in 1993 talking to the crowd, before flashing forward to an older version of himself.
He explained: ‘I didn’t start this because I wanted to be the world’s greatest writer or the artist who sold the most albums.“
‘The show is the one thing that matters more than anything, because you can have a hit record, but can you put on a show? Will you shock people? Will you give them something to remember? This will be remembered.’
Usher also treated some female fans to more up close and personal meeting, as he seductively hand-fed them cocktail cherries.
The singer – whose full name is Usher Terry Raymond IV – looked ecstatic to be performing hits like Yeah, Burn, U Remind Me and OMG, in front of the huge crowd of around 200,000 people
He stepped out in a whopping seven different head-turning outfits, including a glittering head-to-toe suit, a huge fur coat and Union Jack emblazoned leather look
And he showed he’s still got his incredible falsetto and enviable dancing skills as he showed off his effortlessly slick moves with his backing dancers
At one point Usher even donned a pair of roller skates to slide around the stage, demonstrating an impeccable moonwalk and handstand
While a part of the stage was transformed into a strip club for Bad Girl, complete with pole dancers and the chart-topper making it rain with his own branded ‘USH Notes’ bills.
On his arrival, before he launched into his 36 song set list, traversing his three decades in the industry, he addressed his doting fans: ‘Tonight is very very special because we celebrate 30 plus years of a career.
‘Some of you started when I first started. Some of you have joined along the years. I just want to say thank you. This Past, Present and Future story is unique.
‘I have been here long enough to recognise there’s so many things that I have been able to go through and come through and there’s still the songs.’
‘Hopefully that testament has meant something to you. Maybe we fell in love together, maybe we had a good time together, but something brought you here.
‘And I just want you to know, I appreciate the connection. If I didn’t have you to cheer me on, I wouldn’t continue to do this.
And even after the curtain went down at the O2 Arena, the night didn’t end there, with Usher throwing not just one, but two huge after parties.
According to The Sun, the hitmaker first invited guests to enjoy free flowing champagne onboard an Uber Boat, which they renamed ‘The Yeah Man’.
During the show, he also chatted to guests and took selfies with them on the stage, to which the audience went wild
Among the crowd were even a few famous faces, including Hollywood star Daniel Kaluuya, model Leomie Anderson and TV presenter Maya Jama (pictured)
While a part of the stage was transformed into a strip club for Bad Girl, complete with pole dancers and the chart-topper making it rain with his own branded ‘USH Notes’ bills
While he then threw a second bash at celebrity favourite haunt, The Box, and once again performed on stage for the lucky attendees, including fellow singer RAYE.
A source told the publication: ‘Usher hired out The Box for another party which went on well into the small hours.
‘It felt like a proper old-school R&B night. Then suddenly, Usher’s on stage, serenading the crowd – with Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder songs.
‘The whole room was singing along. It wasn’t just an afterparty – it felt like an extension of the show.’
He also wowed US fans with a successful tour of the States, but was forced to reschedule his Miami concerts after Florida declared a ‘state of emergency’ amid Hurricane Milton in October.
Though many praised his commitment to safety for his fans and tour crew, others criticised the decision and voiced frustration over the new dates.
Usher kicked off his Past Present Future tour in Washington D.C. in August, marking his sixth headlining concert tour.
On his arrival, before he launched into his 36 song set list, traversing his three decades in the industry, he addressed his doting fans: ‘Tonight is very very special because we celebrate 30 plus years of a career’
And even after the curtain went down at the O2 Arena, the night didn’t end there, with Usher throwing not just one, but two huge after parties.
The 78-date run has seen him travel across the US and Europe and will come to a close in May, after his final two back-to-back shows at The O2.
The Past Present Future tour has been in support of Usher’s ninth studio album Coming Home, his solo album since Hard II Love in 2016.
The LP was released in February 2024, just two days before he headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in Las Vegas.
It features 20 tracks and collaborations with the likes of 21 Savage, Summer Walker and Latto and peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200, going on to bag a nomination for Best R&B Album at last month’s Grammy Awards.
