It takes a lot for Usher to perform outside of the US these days.
For the last two years, the R&B star has built a successful residency in Las Vegas — perhaps rightfully understanding his fan base matured from the frenzied days of the late 1990s and prefer hearing the hits seated.
Then again, the allure of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with its glamour and friendly crowd, was enough for the singer, full name Usher Raymond, to bring some of that Vegas razzle-dazzle to Etihad Park on Thursday.
Usher’s return to the UAE is also a case of unfinished business.
His last major performance, bizarrely, was part of the closing ceremony for the 2012 World Parachuting Championships Dubai.
Needless to say, it wasn’t exactly his crowd. Also, it was a different Usher who took the stage back then.
While the show was slick as expected, he carried the kind of added intensity of a champion defending his turf.
While still a bonafide star in those days, a new generation of acts, such as Chris Brown and Jason Derulo, were on the rise and nipping at his heels.
Fortunately, none of that tension was on display in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
He cut a friendly and suave figure as he took us on an hour-long journey of his greatest hits.
Backed by a cracking band, including a horn section and a panoply of dancers, Usher channelled the vibes of his Las Vegas residency at Etihad Park.
All songs, from the stomping Caught Up to smooth ballads like Burn, were lovingly performed with Usher’s velvety croon.
Usher spent part of the set celebrating the 25th anniversary of his second album My Way.
Tracks such as You Make Me Wanna... and the lush stylings of Nice and Slow exemplified the persona that made him a hit at the clubs and earned him a guest acting role in Bold and the Beautiful in 1998.
Confessions, an R&B ballad, was also a standout, with Usher leaning into the stark subject matter with an emotionally committed performance.
Despite the lyrical dramatics, Usher was in congenial mode throughout the evening.
Call it “The Vegas Effect”, as the show featured some of the old-school banter synonymous with residency shows.
“This one's for you, and you, and you …” he would say to the screams of the crowd.
At other times, he would trail songs by conversationally mentioning well-known lyrics such as “how many lovers and friends are out there?” before launching into the ballad Lovers and Friends.
This matured vibe suits Usher.
Nearly 30 years into his career encompassing music, film and television — not to mention being responsible for spotting future superstar Justin Bieber on YouTube — Usher has nothing left to prove and has seemingly embraced his seasoned status.
With his next performance in Saudi Arabia's AlUla on Friday, one hopes he takes his latest show further on the road, as some things shouldn't only stay in Vegas.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concerts continue with Swedish House Mafia performing on Friday, followed by Kendrick Lamar and Def Leppard on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Access to after-race concerts is exclusive to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket holders. Tickets are available online at www.yasmarinacircuit.com and through the Yas Marina Circuit Call Centre on 800 927 or 02 659 9800
Forty-five artists who have played at the Abu Dhabi F1 After-Race Concerts — in pictures
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Prince kept it fun and funky during his Abu Dhabi Grand Prix performance in 2010. Reuters -
Beyonce performs at Ferrari World on the opening day of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix on October 29, 2009. Philip Cheung / The National -
Jamiroquai performs at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on October 30, 2009. Philip Cheung / The National -
Kings of Leon performed in the UAE for the first time at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Formula Grand Prix. Reuters -
Aerosmith performs on the final race day on November 1, 2009. Philip Cheung / The National -
Kanye West performs at Yas Island on November 12, 2010. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National -
Linkin Park at the Formula One after-race concert on November 13, 2010. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National -
Britney Spears's 2011 show was high on choreography but low on energy. Lee Hoagland / The National -
US rock band Incubus performs in 2011 in what was an odd double bill also featuring The Cult. Silvia Razgova / The National -
Paul McCartney played a hit-filled set in 2011. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Aussie pop star Kylie Minogue kept it fun and breezy in her 2012 Abu Dhabi F1 concert. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Nickelback played all their anthems in a 2012 concert. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Eminem made his concert debut in the Middle East with a race day performance at the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi was one of the first Arab artists to perform as part of the Abu Dhabi F1 after-race concerts -
Hip-hop superstar Jay-Z wowed crowds with his 2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix show. Delores Johnson / The National -
British rockers Muse brought their progressive rock sounds to Etihad Park in 2013. Delores Johnson / The National -
Dave Gahan, from Depeche Mode, owned the stage during the group's 2013 race-day concert. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Egyptian pop star Tamer Hosny at the 2014 Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix after-race concert. Getty Images -
Dutch DJ Armin Van Buuren was the first EDM act to perform as part of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concert series in 2014. Delores Johnson / The National -
Pharrell William lost his voice during his 2014 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix concert. Delores Johnson / The National -
The Who rocked loud and proud during their 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race day concert. Ravindranath K / The National -
Emirati singer Aryam made her stage return during the 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Enrique Iglesias was all charm during his 2015 performance at Etihad Park. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Brit-pop group Blur gave a rare live performance of 'Country House' for their 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concert. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Florence + the Machine at the 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Cuban-American singer and rapper Pitbull was underwhelming in 2016. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National -
UK dance duo The Chemical Brothers were relentless at their 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concert. Pawan Singh / The National -
Lionel Richie didn't disappoint at his 2016 after-race concert. Waleed Shah for The National -
Rihanna rocked out at Etihad Park in 2016. Christopher Pike / The National -
UK DJ Calvin Harris was a shadowy presence at his Etihad Park concert in 2017. Reem Mohammed / The National -
US rapper J Cole performed at the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after hip-hop star Kendrick Lamar pulled out. Pawan Singh / The National -
The 2017 concert by Mumford & Sons was largely a fans-only affair. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race day concert in 2017 by Pink had its fair share of acrobatics. Photo: Flash Entertainment -
US rapper Post Malone brought new meaning to the term 'solo performance' with his 2018 Abu Dhabi F1 show. Victor Besa / The National -
The Weeknd gave a typically brooding show in 2018. Victor Besa / The National -
Sam Smith changed a few misconceptions at their 2018 Abu Dhabi F1 concert. Victor Besa / The National -
The Guns 'N' Roses concert at the 2018 Abu Dhabi F1 was cut short due to singer Axl Rose feeling unwell. Lee Hoagland / The National -
Marshmello was a hit with the younger crowd during his 2019 Abu Dhabi F1 concert. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Rapper Future performing at the 2019 after-race concert at Etihad Park. Pawan Singh / The National -
Lana Del Rey was suitably dramatic during her 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concert. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Killers were the big act in 2019. Photo: Flash Entertainment -
Khalid performed a sweet low-key set to kick of the 2021 Abu Dhabi F1 after-race concerts Pawan Singh / The National -
British rapper Stormzy was happy to be back on stage at the 2021 Abu Dhabi F1. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Lewis Capaldi performs in 2021. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
DJ Martin Garrix performing the Abu Dhabi F1 race-day concert in 2021. Pawan Singh / The National
