While Usher may have taken a backseat to his shaggy protégé Justin Bieber this week in terms of fan frenzy and attendance, Mr. Raymond proved he’s still firmly in the driver’s seat when it comes to entertainment.
With more years spent on stage than Bieber has spent on Earth, Usher’s comfort level in performing shines through in his silky dance moves, effortless croon and, above all, an absolute command of his audience.
Wednesday’s show at the Marcus Amphitheater got off to a late start, but Usher finally emerged slowly in mirrored shades, white jeans and a T-shirt, a black leather jacket and boots. Flanked by a half-dozen dancers, he jumped right into “Caught Up,” off his 2004 smash hit album, “Confessions.”
Unlike the ultra-wholesome Bieber, Usher isn’t afraid to put his sexuality at the forefront of his records or his stage show.
He grabbed his crotch during one of his early hits, “Make Me Wanna,” which would become a familiar sight throughout the show, along with simulated sex with his dancers and his mic stand. He paused at one point to apologize to a man in the front row for a wayward pelvic thrust, assuring the guy that it was meant for his girlfriend.
But it wasn’t the fake sex that elicited an ovation from the mostly female audience. From playful smirks and prolonged gazes into the crowd to his fluid dance moves, Usher seemed to relish squeezing every bit of energy out of his fans.
The recently divorced co-owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball squad mentioned he was “single and ready to mingle” before diving into “Bad Girl,” another “Confessions” hit.
He paused to remind everyone that despite his years in the spotlight and massive success, he’s still only 31.
“You guys want to take a ride down memory lane?” he asked. “I’m not that old. We can walk down memory lane.”
That launched a medley of “Confessions 1& 2″ and “Nice and Slow,” the night’s first slow jam.
Perhaps the biggest proof of Usher’s star power was his ability to draw deafening applause by simply standing still and glancing out over the crowd, which he did time and again throughout the set.
Flashing his washboard abs during the suggestive “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” and joining his dancers for a grueling dance routine on “U Don’t Have to Call” drew deafening screams, as did a rapid medley of tender jams including “My Boo,” “I Need a Girl” and “Chivalry.”
The banging dance number “Yeah!” drew the biggest reaction of the night before Usher disappeared, only to return a short time later for a lengthy encore.
The hip-hop tales of female empowerment and abstinence of opening act Lyfe Jennings were an odd pairing with the songs by the libidinous headliner, but the positive anthems were well received.
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