Usher's had a difficult summer but now he is back where he belongs - on stage.

Over the weekend, the R&B singer kicked off the iTunes Festival in London, a month's worth of free shows at the Roundhouse which will also be streamed live online.

"I mean it is modern technology is really what it is but you know, the intent in comparison to other shows is for it to be very up close and personal, for there to be those breaks in the conversation to feel 100 per cent connected in a way that it would not normally in an arena or a stadium," he said.

Over the summer, Usher had to cope with the death of his stepson and a custody battle over his two sons, which he won.

He took time out to deal with these things making his fans desperate for him to perform again.

Usher joked: "Man, it's like 'shut up and entertain, we don't care about your personal stuff.'"

He added, however, that his fans gave him support on Twitter during the tough times, proving their loyalty.