Usher in Abu Dhabi review: RnB star turns back the clock during Club Social performance
Usher has joined a growing list of musicians – including the Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez – in bringing their career hits to Abu Dhabi. Performing as part of the three-day Club Social music festival, the RnB hitmaker took to the stage at Etihad Park on Saturday night. The show kicked off at 9.45pm with a video montage hyping up the crowd before Usher stormed out full of energy, getting everyone singing and dancing along as he opened with My Way from his 1997 second studio album of the same name. The big screen then flashed '1998' as he performed Love in This Club, followed by '2017' for Party, a Chris Brown track featuring Usher and rapper Gucci Mane. These songs set the tone for the evening – a celebration of the best of Usher's career, with highlights spanning more than 30 years of music. This was also reflected in the diverse crowd at Etihad Park, which seemingly spanned different generations of fans. And with a catalogue as varied as his, Usher naturally slowed things down at times, performing some of his signature RnB ballads such as U Got It Bad, Burn and Confessions, Pt II. At one point, he even hopped off the stage to get closer to fans in the front row. Usher later took a moment to address the crowd as the camera panned across the audience, playfully singing about fans who made it onto the big screen. He expressed gratitude to those who have supported him throughout his musical journey and introduced longtime collaborator DJ Mars, saying he's been with him since day one. While Usher took a brief break, DJ Mars kept the energy high with a medley of dance floor favourites – including Get Low by Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, We Found Love by Rihanna, Time of Our Lives by Pitbull and Ne-Yo and Danza Kuduro by Don Omar featuring Lucenzo – keeping the crowd pumped for the star's return. Riding that wave of energy, Usher saved some of his biggest hits for last. He brought out the tightly choreographed dance moves for 2010's OMG and DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love, getting everyone on their feet. 'I love you, love to you Abu Dhabi. Thank you so much for sharing the night. Thank you so much for the journey. Thirty years and I couldn't have done it without you,' he told those in attendance. He then transitioned into the 2004 megahit Yeah! before closing the night with 2011's Without You, his collaboration with French DJ David Guetta – ending the evening on a high note. Even decades into his career, at 46, Usher's vocals remain crisp and controlled, effortlessly hitting the high notes that defined his early RnB hits. His charisma hasn't waned either – every wink, glide and grin was met with cheers. His ability to move seamlessly from emotional ballads to high-energy dance tracks kept the crowd engaged throughout the hour-and-a-half-long set. As the night came to an end, Usher bowed on one knee with his head down as fans cheered him on, thanking him for the trip down memory lane. And as the final notes faded, the energy in the air suggested many weren't quite ready for it to be over – likely a testament to his enduring appeal.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
22-05-2025
- Gulf Today
Cardi B will receive prestigious music industry award
Cardi B is no stranger to ASCAP accolades with another prestigious honor soon to join her trophy case. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers said Wednesday that Cardi B will receive the Voice of the Culture Award. She'll be honored at ASCAP's invite-only event celebrating the top hip-hop, R&B and gospel songwriters on June 8 in Los Angeles. "Being recognized for the impact my songs have had on the culture means everything to me," Cardi B said in a statement. "I've always wanted my platform and my music to stay true to who I am and inspire others to do the same, so this honor is especially meaningful." The Voice of the Culture Award is presented to ASCAP members who have had a major influence on music and culture, recognizing their success as creators and changemakers. Usher was the recipient of the honor last year. Cardi B made history in 2020 as the first woman to receive consecutive Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year Awards. She's won 23 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music awards. The hip-hop superstar is a Grammy winner whose "Invasion of Privacy" won best rap album in 2019. She's known for hits such as "Bodak Yellow," "I Like It" and "WAP." "Cardi B has left an indelible mark on the culture of hip-hop by redefining and challenging the norms for women," said Paul Williams, chairman of the board and president at ASCAP. "Having broken through countless barriers with her unapologetic authenticity and talent, she continues to use her voice to advocate for and inspire others, a true testament to her undeniable impact."
FACT
23-04-2025
- FACT
FACT Review: Usher makes Abu Dhabi go Yeah!
From sultry slow jams to stadium-shaking bangers, Usher brought the heat to Yas Island. Abu Dhabi has been significantly enhancing its reputation as a premier destination for hosting world-class concerts. With Coldplay kicking off 2025, followed by Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez and many others keeping the momentum going, the announcement of Usher headlining Club Social at Etihad Park felt like the cherry on top. Now, if you're a millennial, there's a 100 per cent chance that you've listened to Yeah! on repeat. It wasn't just a banger of a song but the anthem of the early 2000s. It was the equivalent of the iPhone ringtone before the iPhone even existed, as Yeah! blasted on every incoming cell phone call. Sorry Apple, Usher did it first. As someone who's been a fan since Yeah! took over every teenager's playlist — attending an Usher concert felt like a full-circle moment, a blast from the past, and a chance to live out some long-shelved high school fantasies of a 13-year-old, finally at 33. Usher headlined day two of Club Social and turned the whole night into a high-powered dance party. As part of his Past Present and Future tour, he hit the stage after a countdown that had the crowd buzzing. Dancers graced the stage first, and then in walked Usher — sultry and smooth — wearing a shimmering black long coat over a sleek all-black silhouette. You could tell, he was here to light it up. With dramatic lighting and a whole lot of crowd noise, he opened with Hey Daddy, setting the tone for what would be a night packed with sensual swagger and expert choreography. Soon, Usher stripped off the coat, broke into slick moves, and jumped into Caught Up without missing a beat. Each track came with a visual punch. For You Make Me Wanna, Usher rocked a fedora with a feather. He then switched his black tank top with a brushed black-and-white denim jacket and baseball cap for U Remind Me, sending the crowd into another nostalgia spiral. Other hits that lit up the night included U Don't Have to Call, Love In This Club, and We Know How to Party — and boy, we did. His vocals were still on point, and his energy was through the roof. At 46, he's still got it. With effortless spins, shoulder pops and pelvic drops, he danced like gravity didn't apply to him. Then came Nice & Slow which is where things got a little steamy. Usher returned in the black silhouette, this time with a parachute jacket. Moving on, he lay on the stage while performing Burn with actual flames shooting from the stage. Talk about setting the stage on fire! He brought things down a notch with Superstar, even jumping down to meet fans to get up close and personal – keeping it PG and cherry-free (if you know, you know). After a quick break, Usher reappeared in a striking all-white ensemble, contrasting his previous look. Donning a rib-patterned white jacket, pants and hat for OMG, Usher's robotic dance moves paired with strobing lights gave this performance a futuristic twist. It perfectly embodied the Past Present and Future theme of the tour. He then dropped DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love and Bad Girl, complete with smoke blasts that added an extra layer of oomph. By then, everyone knew the finale was near. But then Usher said, 'Alright, let's get to it,' — and just like that, the intro to Yeah! dropped. The entire crowd immediately came alive as if someone had hit the reset button. The energy shot back up and arms were raised high in the air. People were jumping, dancing, and yelling lyrics like they were back at that high school party in 2004. It was the moment everyone was waiting for — a generational anthem that united the entire audience. But Usher wasn't done yet. He closed the night with the mega ballad Without You, accompanied by a confetti explosion that felt like the emotional bow on an already perfect evening. From body-defying choreography and outfit changes to fire shows and fan interactions, Usher's concert was a full-on production. You'd think with all those moves, the man would be gasping for air — but he didn't miss a single beat. Instead, he ushered the crowd into a space where nostalgia hit hard and every song unlocked a memory. It was a journey through past, present, and future, led by an icon who still knows how to own the stage. GO: Visit for more information.
FACT
23-04-2025
- FACT
Limp Bizkit set to rock Abu Dhabi this summer
The band is finally bringing its neck-breaking anthems to the capital. Abu Dhabi is stepping up its game this year. With a lineup of concerts that already includes Guns n' Roses, Enrique Iglesias, Toto, and Jennifer Lopez, the capital is all set to rock like never before. And now, adding even more fire to this list is Limp Bizkit. Taking place on Tuesday, 12 August, Limp Bizkit will take over Etihad Arena on Yas Island for what's sure to be a head-banging concert. Expect a show packed with nostalgic anthems that are guaranteed to strain your neck muscles. For those unversed, Limp Bizkit was formed in the mid-90s and exploded onto the music scene with its signature blend of rap and rock. Hailing from Florida, America, the band is fronted by Fred Durst and quickly gained massive popularity with tracks like Break Stuff, Rollin', My Way, and the popular cover of Faith by George Michael. Their album Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water sold over a million copies in its first week alone, cementing their place in the Music Hall of Fame. Throughout their career, they've snagged multiple awards and toured the world, wowing fans for years, and now they're making their way to the UAE. Limp Bizkit was originally slated to perform in Dubai back in 2008, but the show never materialized — leaving fans disappointed and craving a chance to see them live. Fast forward to 2025, and the wait is finally over. The band is making a return, and this time, Etihad Arena will be the spot for all the action. So if you're a fan, stretch your neck, crack your back and keep your chiropractor appointments booked. Presale tickets for Limp Bizkit go live on Thursday, 24 April at 12pm, whereas general sales kick off on Friday, 25 April at 12pm. But you'll want to be quick because this one's going to be a sell-out. GO: Visit for more information.
