Usher said the show must go on … pulling up to perform a show in Vegas despite the Lovers & Friends festival’s last-minute cancelation — and raising fans’ spirits.

Video obtained by TMZ shows the popstar taking the stage at Jewel Nightclub Aria Hotel and Casino Friday night … and, belting out some tunes with the audience after news of the festival’s cancelation came in.

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Check out the clip … Usher arrives in an all-white get-up, drink glass in hand — and, he immediately gets the crowd involved, making them sing the opening notes to a track and hyping up the whole joint.

Lil Jon also pulls up … and, together they perform their hit song “Lovers and Friends” for the crowd — a meaningful choice given the bad news the audience received hours before Usher pulled up.

Our eyewitnesses say Usher arrived at 1:30 AM Saturday to play for the club … about three hours after festival organizers posted news of the concert’s cancelation due to severe weather.

The pre-show where he performed was already apparently planned, but, it appears some thought he may cancel after the festival itself got the axe. Instead, Usher showed up and showed out … and, we’re told the party went on until 4 AM.

BTW … there’s video floating around on social media showing what some online are claiming is a disappointed Usher sinking to his knees during his soundcheck — this allegedly occurring just after organizers sent out the cancelation message.

Admittedly, the vid’s pretty blurry, and it’s hard to tell much of what’s going on … but, the figure is wearing all white like Usher did to the club — so, it’s possible it’s him. Hard to say.

Either way … we’d guess Usher, Lil Jon and the fans needed the pick-me-up after the bad news — and, it seems like they all got that through his performance.