The summer’s most talked about stage show, The Truth Tour, cameto Oakland this past Friday and Saturday. With Usher headlining andopening acts Christina Milian and Kayne West, The Truth Tour hadthe star power to sell out both nights at the 19,200 seatColliseum.

The crowd was mainly Usher fans, arriving brandishing signs tohold high and lungs to scream their affections.

Actress turned signer, Christina Milian preformed a short setthat earned the best response when she preformed her only hitsingle “Dip it Low.” Christina Milian is best known forher lead role in 2003’s “Love Don’t Co$t aThing” and has two movies slated for release this holidayseason.

Multitalented producer/rapper, Kayne West, hip-hop’snewest and arguably brightest star preformed hit after hit from hisdebut album “College Dropout.” The Chicago nativerapped an awkward rendition of his first hit, “Threw theWire.” He somewhat screamed the lyrics that were originallyrecorded when his jaw was wired shut after he suffered a caraccident.

The audience gave West an awesome reception, but the true lovewas dished out for the man they all saved their allowances to comesee, Usher Raymond.

Usher took the stage at 8:30 p.m. amid a deafening applause. Heproceeded to perform most of his new album,”Confessions” and previous hits such as “You Makeme Wanna”, “My Way” and “You Don’tHave to Call.”

The performance included special effects, costumes, and danceroutines to bring his biggest videos to life. He also includedreenactments of “The Worriers” themed “MyWay”, the unforgettable dance routine on roller skates for”You Don’t Have to Call”, the chest baring”Confessions Part II” and of course the dynamic lightshow from his biggest hit “Yeah.”

Usher’s dancers and band were exceptionally talented andthe man himself sounded as smooth as the CD on the ride over.

Even with rigorous dance routines and running for five costumechanges, Usher hit his notes and sang most of his lyrics withoutaid from pre-recorded materials. From time to time, he caught hisbreath while the audience sang the chorus word for word.

As with any big summer tour, the special effects were loud andfrequent. Large flames shot from the stage during his break-upanthem, “Burn,” and fireworks exploded throughout and for thegrand finale with red, white and blue confetti filling thearena.

Usher, who won two awards for “Yeah” at thisyear’s Video Music Awards, is a tremendous performer. Hecommunicates with his audience, even taking a moment to acknowledgeevery one who made posters for him and pulling a young lady onstage for a sweaty rendition of “Number one fan.”

Saving the best for last, the Lil’ John produced hit”Yeah” made the arena shake from the first synthesizedchord. Every single body within the stadium danced and sang alongwith the number one hit.

Usher, who has been performing since he was a young boy, seemsto be at his best live. The combination of his energy, dance moves,charisma and pure vocal talent make for an impressive stage showand set him far apart from most pop stars.

Usher has nineteen cities left on the Truth Tour, which ends onOct. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York.