Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Not since Michael Jackson completely revolutionized the Super Bowl have so many viewers specifically tuned in to see Usher’s halftime show, who like the “King Of Pop,” is a quadruple threat as singer, songwriter, dancer and actor.

It’s no wonder why it took three capacity United Center shows to satisfy at least most of the demand, which in the case of the middle edition, found this universally hailed “King of R&B” tracing everything from 1994’s self-titled debut through today’s “Coming Home” collection.

Popping up in a puff of smoke and nimbly working his way around a steady stream of lasers on a circular runway, Usher opened ever so appropriately with the current title track and soon proclaimed “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” before really going “BIG.”

Since the band and background singers were set to the side, Usher and the dancers trading eye-catching choreography were often the center of attention, such as when he sensually crooned “My Way,” “You Make Me Wanna…” and “U Remind Me.”

Considering the two-hour evening marked the headliner’s 30th anniversary of entertaining, at least a slice of every era appeared, totaling complete or partial versions of nearly 40 tunes.

They included a literal roller skating session to “Love In This Club,” the seductive grind of “Nice & Slow,” the falsetto serenade of “Climax,” plus fellow steamy ballads “Burn” and both volumes of “Confessions,” amidst several wardrobe changes.

The bangers weren’t very far behind thanks to “OMG” and “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love,” a brass section accompanied “Superstar,” then Usher went into the audience to pass out cherries throughout “There Goes My Baby” on the way to a secondary and super wild strip club stage.

After walking back to “My Boo,” there wasn’t as single person who didn’t all out scream “Yeah” at the top of their lungs or let loose to the throbbing electronics of “Without You,” which alongside the earlier examples of sheer euphoria, means Halloween is in for nothing but a treat.

For additional information on Usher, visit UsherWorld.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the United Center include Usher (Oct. 31); Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (Nov. 1); Stevie Wonder (Nov. 2); Marco Antonio Solís (Nov. 3); Sebastian Maniscalco (Nov. 8-9); Billie Eilish (Nov. 13-14); Maverick City Music (Nov. 16); Rod Wave (Nov. 18) and Cyndi Lauper (Dec. 5). For additional details, visit UnitedCenter.com.

Related Articles

“Queen Of Pop” Janet Jackson, Nelly, a jammed United Center “Together Again” on Juneteenth In Super Bowl-sized streak, Mary J. Blige sells out United Center, says “Good Morning Gorgeous” Soul superstar Maxwell hosts “The Serenade” for United Center alongside Jazmine Sullivan Tim McGraw and a “Standing Room Only” United Center “Live Like You Were Dying” Shows came roaring back in 2022 and Chicago Concert Reviews covered every step of way Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, De La Soul, guests get United Center into “N.Y. State Of Mind” as hip-hop turns 50 50 Cent revisits “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’” for “The Final Lap” around United Center with Busta, Jeremih Hard Rock rings in third birthday with The Jacksons’ homecoming, Eve 6’s alt-rock freebie