Usher’s highly anticipated “Past, Present, Future” tour was paused for two nights this week.

On the first night of the show, October 22, Usher delivered a captivating evening that highlighted a decades-long career of R&B and pop hits that fans seemed to appreciate.

Here are seven takeaways from the show that left many fans in awe of the entertainer’s talent:

1. Tracklist in the entire catalog

Usher’s setlist was something his fans appreciated. It included early hits such as 1997’s “Nice & Slow” and 2001’s “U Got it Bad” through to “Good Good” and “I Am The Party”, both released in 2024.

Throughout the show, fans experienced his classic R&B crooner voice, his energetic pop sound and almost everything in between as the singer maneuvered through decades of his catalog.

Even a few lesser-known tracks found moment after moment and brought deep fans to their feet.

Many of the songs sparked feelings of nostalgia and helped the show highlight Usher’s development as an artist.

2. Past, present and future versions of Usher

The concert, as the name suggests, fit the theme well and featured different versions of the star at different times in his life. During brief breaks, photos of Usher appeared on the screen, including a photo from his childhood, a photo from his teenage years, and several images from his career.

Beyond music, Usher appeared on screen in short videos discussing his presence as a father today, the impact this could have in the future, and the experiences he faced growing up without his own father, mentioned.

The show – presumably powered by artificial intelligence – even included a pre-recorded segment of a video chat between childhood, a young adult, the present, and an older, future Usher. In the four versions, the singer spoke briefly about growth and life.

The theme also included photos from the civil rights era and a short message from Vice President Kamala Harris, also connecting society’s past, present and future.

3. Use the entire arena as a stage

The concert’s layout was unique and allowed Usher to make full use of the arena floor. It included a main stage with a rotating floor and constantly changing setup, as well as a bar-style side stage.

With the main stage on one side, the side stage on the other and wide aisles, the singer moved around the floor and interacted with fans along the way.

The lighting design also complemented his movement and multiple camera angles focused on the star to captivate the entire audience.

4. The show is…NSFW (not safe for work)

Usher is known for his sex appeal. In 2024, Essence Magazine named him “Sexiest Man of the Moment” and in 2023 he made People Magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive” list.

The concert reflected these accolades – and more. The show is, for lack of a better phrase, for adults.

Whether through his dance moves — like the moment he stuck his hand down the front of his jeans — or other areas of production — like the two dancers simulating various sexual positions during the show — Usher’s concert was brimming with sexual undertones.

He also fed cherries to some women in the crowd while singing “Can U Handle It,” which drew cheers from the larger audience.

5. He “brought the A to Charlotte”

Representing Atlanta, the city he calls home, has long been a part of Usher’s mission

He has referenced the city of Atlanta more than once in his music. In 2014’s “I Don’t Mind,” Usher opens the song with the words “This is for the A.”

The singer said his show is a tribute to Atlanta culture.

An example of this can be found in Usher’s secondary. On the stage, complete with two poles, there are pole dancers, twerkers and Usher on stage throwing money. It’s a nod to Atlanta’s well-known strip club scene, where famous venues like Magic City and Blue Flame attract partygoers, high rollers and celebrities alike.

Towards the end of the show, Usher said that he had “taken the world to the A” and “the A to Charlotte.”

6. The gratitude of the fans was a central theme

During the show, Usher made his fans a central part of the evening.

From entering the audience and standing on chairs while fans reached out and took selfies with him, to singing directly to the people in the front row and hugging some fans he brought on stage, Usher laid the Interaction with fans is a priority.

“I appreciate every single fan. I appreciate every single one of you,” he said.

He also said “thank you” several times and blew kisses to the crowd.

7. He reaffirmed his faith

Midway through the show, Usher acknowledged his faith and thanked God for allowing him to be a “vessel” for fans to connect through his music.

It was a refreshing interlude that reminded concertgoers of the importance of staying grounded.

Ultimately, Usher’s “Past, Present, Future” concert in Charlotte was more than a concert. It was a celebration of Usher’s career, a tribute to Atlanta and an evening of nostalgia that also looked to the future.