Usher kicked off his highly anticipated Past Present Future tour with two sold-out concerts in Washington, D.C. at the Capital One Arena, marking a triumphant return to the stage after a brief hiatus.
The eight-time Grammy winner, 45, had previously postponed a trio of concerts in Atlanta due to a neck injury sustained during preparations for the shows.
In a social media statement, Usher expressed his disappointment, stating that despite physical therapy and medical treatment, his neck injury had not yet fully healed, and doctors had advised him against performing.
Fortunately, Usher has rescheduled the Atlanta shows for December 9, 10, and 12 at the State Farm Arena.
Usher, 45, began his tour titled Past Present Future this week with a pair of sold-out concerts in Washington, D.C. at the Capital One Arena. Pictured Tuesday
Usher’s two-hour sets in the nation’s capital featured an impressive range of hits, including Lovers and Friends, Confessions, Yeah!, and U Don’t Have To Call, according to reports.
The R&B sensation also performed tracks from his latest album, Coming Home, which dropped in February.
On Wednesday, Usher was joined on stage by Washington, D.C.-based music stars Wale, Raheem DeVaughn, and Sugar Bear of EU, with whom he collaborated on tracks like No Hands and The Matrimony.
A review praised Usher’s effective use of an elaborate cube comprised of several huge LED screens, which showcased different eras of his career.
The cube also functioned as a gigantic set-piece, transforming into a penthouse, room, and dance performance area, evoking a range of settings, from a house to a strip club.
Despite his recent injury, Usher delivered a high-energy performance, displaying top physical condition as he navigated the demanding show.
Usher is set to perform at the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore on Friday and Saturday, with more dates scheduled across North America through the end of the year, including stops in Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, New York City, Detroit, Denver, and Los Angeles.
The eight-time Grammy winner was well-received in a tandem of shows in the nation’s capital
Following the North American leg, Usher will embark on the European leg of his tour, commencing in London at The O2 Arena on March 29, with eight nights scheduled at the venue, before moving on to cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin, and concluding in London next May.
This year has been a busy one for Usher, who wrapped up his My Way: The Las Vegas Residency and headlined the halftime show of Super Bowl LVIII alongside artists like Alicia Keys, will.i.am, Lil Jon, Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris, and H.E.R. in Las Vegas.
Usher also has a concert film titled USHER: RENDEZVOUS IN PARIS, scheduled to hit around 2,000 theaters globally next month, from September 12-15.