- <<< I'm having malfunctions.. so bare with me>>>>
In December, I dragged JMN to New Orleans to see Usher and August Alsina. This was an impromptu concert. I love Usher especially his Confessions album but recently I haven't really been as enthralled with him as I once was. There is no particular reason but you know sometimes your taste ends up in other places.
I remember when I found out that Usher was going on tour . It kind of took me by surprise. I was shocked that he decided to go out with August Alsina. This up in coming thug R& B singer. I know a lot of bloggers and TV personalities said that they thought Chris Brown or Trey Songz would have been a safer artist to take on tour. But for whatever reason August Alsina was the guy he wanted ....
Over the last year, I have really started to like August Alsina. JMN got his Cd Testimony and although the album was a little too hardcore for me I really liked his Ep Downtown: Life Under the Gun . I got it a couple months after this single I love this came out. I have a niece that thinks he is the cutest thing , so when you have a teenager paying attention to someone you should keep your eyes peeled. Plus I'm from Louisiana you really cant get any better than a New Orleans accent. ( please say the baby)
This was my first concert at the Smoothie King Center. I remember when it was being built I was a little upset. because the Superdome was literally right next to it . I was thinking why would you build a huge venue right next to the hugest venue in Louisiana. I still don't have an answer to that but I will say it was nice to use the Superdomes parking garage so I assume the city of New Orleans knew what they were doing. The Smoothie King facility was very nice. Large but still kind of intimate.
August is from New Orleans . So I thought after a couple of his hits he was going to bring out special guest or like really show out. To my disappointment there were no special guests! Also his accent is really thick. Some songs I didn't realize what they were until the chorus. He was only on the stage for about 30 minutes. And I think in those 30 minutes there was just enough time for him to take his shirt off and dance with the 2 chicks he had on stage. It kinda seemed as if he was very stage shy. I felt like he didn't interact with the crowd as much as I would have liked him to . But I will say that he started on time and everything was like clock work.
After August Alsina. There was a mid performer named Dj Cassidy. The crowd went crazy for him . I had no idea who he was. His mixes were decent and were entertaining until Ushers stage was ready.
I have never seen Usher in concert. I probably should have went in 2005/2006 when his music was heavily in my rotation but hey you live and you learn. Hands down this was the BEST R&B concert I have been to. Firstly Ushers catalog is hella big. As he sang every song I remember exactly what was going on in my life as he was singing. He was very interactive with the crowd. And on majority of the songs he didn't even have to sing. You could hear the crowd singing word for word along with the music . It was really a beautiful thing. I always hear about how music unites all types of people but to actually witness an arena with about ehh 50,000 people all singing the words to his mans life was amazing. I don't think I will ever forget that.
This concert started on time and Ushers performance alone was about 2 hours. This concert was more than I expected and the price I paid was more than worth it. Usher kept singing and even when we thought it was over there were 2 more songs.
I believe this concert was for all generations. It was truly amazing. Also did I mention that Usher doesn't even have a current album out. Who tours with singles? I mean I bet more artists wishe they could do that.
Here is the set list.
1. My Way
2. OMG
3. Love in this Club
4. U make me wanna
5. Lil Freak
6. Nice and Slow
7. U remind me
8. Twisted
9. Caught up
10. She came to give it to me
11. Dot Com
12. Climax
13. Confessions
14. Break down:: This is where the audience did most of the singing::Think of you (I didn't know this one).Throwback (MY JAM). Lemme See. Heyy Daddy. My Boo. I need a girl. Lovers and Friends (OMG). I don't mind{ new single}. Body Language. New Flame.
15. Burn
16. There goes my baby
17. U got it bad
18. Superstar
19. Bad girl
20. Good kisser
21. U don't have to call
22. Djs got us fallin in love
23 yeah! (A town stomp)
24. Encore
25. Without you
Can you just imagine this man sweating, singing and dancing his life away for 2 straight hours. Luckily you don't have to imagine long because I have a couple of videos. This stage was pretty simple. But he did have this amazing mechanical X and depending on the song they could manipulate it to become the focal point. You know I really appreciate an artist that appreciates all their fans. Whether they are on the front row or they are on the very last seat of the nose bleeds. And since I am frugal Francis the nose bleeds and I are very well acquainted. The reason I continue to purchase those tickets is because some artists have screens on their stage that will allow them to show the entire venue what is happening on stage. Usher had HUGE screens and his lighting did not affect the appearance of the screens. Thanks Usher!
I really cant even think of anything he could have done that would have made me love it any more than I did. Wait SPECIAL GUESTS! If you are looking for a amazing singer and dancer you really cant get any better than Usher Raymond. So I most definitely would recommend everyone to attend one of his future concerts . Or if your funds don't allow you to do so maybe check out some videos on Youtube.
Enjoy!
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