On Friday, Eight time Grammy winning singer, Usher, appeared on Good Morning America to announce that he will be headlining a Las Vegas residency. Which is set to take place on the stage of The Colosseum at Caesars Palace beginning next summer, Friday, July 16th, 2021. The show is described as ‘an intimate, immersive, one-of-a-kind, ultimate experience.’
“I’m really excited about it, this is something I’ve been talking about for years”
Talking about the much anticipated event, he said, “I’m really excited about it, this is something I’ve been talking about for years with my family, with my fans.” The former Voice coach will be performing on 12 dates at the iconic 4,300-seat theater, beginning July 16, 2021, through Jan. 1, 2022. Usher will be joining the likes of other big names who have enjoyed residencies at Iconic Caesars Palace. Including the Rolling Stones, Sir Elton John, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey.
The “I Cry” singer, who revealed the exciting news while eating breakfast in his kitchen, reassured fans that his show will see him belting out “earlier songs as well as new music,” from his 20 year career. Hinting that the audience will be given an “up close and personal immersive experience.”
“It’s gonna be crazy man, it’s really gonna be amazing”
“2020 has been extremely complicated. We’ve suppressed this anxiety and energy to do anything social,” Usher admitted. “So I’m really excited to be able to know that I’m in the process of putting together a show for Las Vegas. It’s really something that I’m looking forward to,” he smiled. “It’s gonna be crazy man, it’s really gonna be amazing.”
The singer took to social media to share the exciting news with his beloved fans. Tickets for the event are set to go on sale from September 10, later this year. With pre-sale available from Monday.
“The vibe of Las Vegas is everything on steroids”
This show, promoted by Live Nation and Caesars Entertainment, is the first time that the singer will be performing in an intimate setting. As he is usually used to playing arenas.
“This is a real treat because it’s the first time I’ve ever done anything quite like this. You have benchmarks, right? You want to have your record played on the radio and then go on to win a Grammy. Vegas was always a benchmark for me that I couldn’t wait to be able to do,” Usher happily gushed. The singer dished more on how Vegas has always been a dream for him. “Since I was 21 years old, I’ve really anticipated getting to go to Vegas and play the shows the way that they did in the early days.”
“The vibe of Las Vegas is everything on steroids. The best clubs, the best shows, the best food, all of it. To finally be able to get this opportunity, to share myself. And also to share my history with my audience, I can’t wait for it,” said Usher, bubbling with excitement.
The R&B singer also spoke about his plans for the show and what he has in store for his beloved fans. “I can pull from all of the things that I’ve done, a little bit of acting, a little bit of personality, a little bit of music, dance. I can be more intimate than I’ve ever been with my audience, allowing people to come in and feel a different level of connection to the songs,” he added. “Las Vegas is all about really shining it up.”
“I really want to bring you through the experience of what the music means”
The “Confessions” hitmaker also hopes to shed light on the technical intricacies that go into his performances. Including, exploring meaning through movement, wardrobe, lighting and storytelling.
“If you want to just hear the songs, you can play them. But to take people deeper into the songs and give them a viewpoint they didn’t have. Or maybe they might have overlooked and missed, that’s what my focus is. I really want to bring you through the experience of what the music means,” the singer confessed. “I’ve done a lot of research around immersive experiences all around the world. I traveled to Paris, London, Germany, and New York City, the South and also Los Angeles to really understand the nuances of immersive experiences,”he explained.
New Music, Donations and more
During the GMA interview, the R&B singer also touched upon his upcoming new music.
“I’m actually in the process of completing the album, and I’m getting ready to drop some new music and new visuals,” he said. “It’s just been a process and just wanted to make sure you guys were ready for it.”
Usher, Live Nation Las Vegas, and Caesars Entertainment also confirmed they’d be donating $1 of every ticket purchased to Usher’s New Look, Inc. (UNL). With the funding going toward programs for underserved youth.
“[UNL] has been a real passion for almost 22 years now. As well as being able to continue to mentor and prepare young men and women from underserved communities. That right there is my hard work that goes into really helping people to have a greater life, greater opportunities, understand that they can be entrepreneurs,” Usher continued. “Every time that I’ve done anything, I always try my hardest to intertwine for-profit and for-purpose at the same time. And this is an opportunity for me to do,” voiced Usher.
Usher on becoming a dad for the third time
The singer has been having exciting developments at the professional front as well as the personal front. Usher’s exciting announcement comes just a few days after it was revealed that he is expecting his third child and first with longtime girlfriend Jenn Goicoechea. Usher and Goicoechea’s little one will be joining the musician’s sons Naveid Ely, 11, and Usher V, 12, whom he shares with ex-wife Tameka Foster.
When asked about how his sons feel about having a little brother or sister, Usher replied with a smile saying that his family is “elated and excited” at the baby news. “Babies always bring such joy to a family. [I’m] really, really excited for my young one,” he added. “Usher’s very excited to be a dad again. They’re both thrilled to be expecting,” an insider close to Usher and Goicoechea revealed.
The parents-to-be were recently photographed on Saturday at Kreation Organic Juicery in West Hollywood. Jenn put her growing baby bump on display in a blue hoodie, paired with matching blue sweatpants and floral sandals. The couple was also spotted on another occasion looking happy as they walked arm-in-arm in the photo, with their matching Louis Vuitton face masks.
Usher has also been rumoured to be in a long standing feud with Blinding Lights singer, The Weeknd. But the latter recently cleared up any misunderstandings and refuted claims of a possible beef brewing between the two.
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