Although he’s presently working by the paces of rehearsals for his first go at it, Usher is aware of the trials of making ready a Tremendous Bowl halftime present. With simply 13 minutes to carry out a career-spanning set and eight minutes to arrange the stage, the singer instructed Vogue journal in a brand new digital cowl story that there he is aware of there isn’t a room for error.
“It needs to be good,” mentioned the “Yeah!” singer identified for his mind-bendingly clean dance strikes and elaborate staging. “I’ve been doing this for 30 years. I would like individuals who have been part of that journey to really feel prefer it’s a celebration for everyone, for all of us, from the start up till this level.”
As a result of the pre-game specifics of the halftime present are notoriously tightly-held, there have been no particulars to share about what songs fan can anticipate to listen to, despite the fact that Usher did give the journal a sneak peek about his Apple Music Tremendous Bowl LVIII set. Among the many gadgets positively on the guidelines: curler skating, killer choreography, one main costume change and, not like final 12 months’s performer, Rihanna, some particular company.
“This evening was particularly curated in my thoughts to have R&B take the principle stage,” he mentioned, teasing that he’s pulled collectively a group who characterize the architects of the style to assist him compile the set checklist. “Not simply R&B music, however R&B efficiency, R&B connection, R&B spirit.” The singer who tearfully closed out his 100-show Las Vegas residency in December, mentioned he’s additionally been excited about such different legendary Vegas icons as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley whereas placing collectively the present.
“I’m actually talking to each girl. I need to make it really feel like that,” the legendarily lusty singer mentioned of aiming for a sensual intimacy within the 65,000-capacity stadium, whereas additionally preserving in thoughts different legendary Tremendous Bowl halftime reveals as he celebrates his personal historical past.
“I’m excited about the truth that I’ve been in a position to stroll by the entrance door because of their sacrifice and skill,” he mentioned of the legacy of such earlier Black icons as Michael Jackson and Prince, in addition to what R&B means in a rustic the place a few of its most well-known practitioners needed to enter the stage by the kitchen door within the Fifties and 60s resulting from segregation.
“It’s made me really feel joyous. It made me really feel like I need to go on the market, and I would like the world to smile once they take a look at me. I would like them to really feel one thing, and really feel my ardour, my love, really feel like I used to be the fitting individual to sit down on this place, and I used to be the fitting individual to carry this type of vitality and love and connection to all the world,” Usher mentioned.
“Individuals will tune in for a soccer sport, however I hope once they take a look at that halftime efficiency, I’m hoping they stroll away with one thing that’s therapeutic them,” he added. “One thing that makes them really feel hopeful, and never simply take a look at the previous, however have hope for the longer term, and have hope for a unique sort of future than we’re proper now within the current.”
The 45-year outdated singer is gearing as much as launch his ninth studio album, Coming Dwelling, on Feb. 9, simply two days earlier than he takes the stage at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the large sport. It’s a gig that his followers will let you know is a very long time coming, however which didn’t materialize till Jay-Z referred to as as much as ask Ush to do the honors this 12 months.
“Day by day I’m form of sitting right here and I take a second to simply take a look at the place we’re going to be, which is correct there,” Usher instructed the journal whereas pointing to the shiny black glass spaceship of a stadium within the Nevada desert.
And, not for nothing, the author reveals that they’ve already heard an “afrobeat-inflected earworm” from Coming Dwelling, assuring followers that it’s “20 tracks of absolute bangers.”
