It doesn't matter what you think about him personally, John Mayer is one heck of a singer, guitarist, and songwriter. And might I add, performer. With the release of his fourth album Battle Studies, Mayer set out on a world tour. Stops stretch all across North America from Canada all the way to Texas. He made a stop in St. Paul, and I had the opportunity to see him live, for the second time in my life. And I was not disappointed. John Mayer may mess around in his down time, but when there is a guitar, microphone and thousands of fans, Mayer gets down to his usual self; the person and artist I have known since I was 12. I remember first hearing No Such Thing in 2001, while jamming in the car with my older sister and her boyfriend. I knew very little about music at the time, but I loved this song. And soon after it, came Your Body Is A Wonderland, which was highly frowned upon by the teachers at my small school (to think, that was a risque song. Wow, the times have changed). Heavier Things soon followed, and I found my 14 year old self at my first concert. My memory of it seems to fade more and more each year, but I still try to hold onto it. Armed with a fresh memory and a camera, I was prepared for his next concert 6 years later.
The concert began with the energetic group Michael Franti and Spearhead. Now if the name doesn't sound familiar, I am sure you have heard their song Say Hey (I Love You), which was their first top twenty hit, as they mentioned during their concert. They have been a group for quite a long time, and I am sad that I did not know them until tonight. Their energy and stage presence was impeccable; only second to Coldplay (but, then, who could outdo Coldplay in anything?). The remarkable thing about this band was that they had the cold people of St. Paul on their feet and dancing, even those that had never heard of their music. Their energy, again, was contagious. A great opening act. The XCEL center was energetic and ready for Mr. Mayer.
And at what great timing. Spearhead finished their popular song, "Say Hey (I Love You)," which had everyone on their feet singing along. Thoroughly excited, Mayer lovers waited in anticipation for the main act. A large, white net enclosed the stage, the background music ended and the lights faded. The cliché camera countdown started, but as the room echoed with shouts of the countdown, I could not help but scream too. Cue the orchestra; recognizable right away: Heartbreak Warfare. Digital video was being played on the screen that surrounded the stage. Various silhouette pictures of Mayer, finally ending with his shadow walking towards the stage. The curtain opened to Mayer's overwhelming, unlimited guitar abilities resonating from his amplifier. This was the John Mayer I knew.
He played a wide variety of songs, mostly from Battle Studies, but he played quite a few songs from Continuum and a few from Heavier Things. Mayer even played hits from his debut album, playing Why Georgia and No Such Thing. Also included was a quick version of St. Patrick's Day, which he played in response to a fan poster requesting it. He acknowledged every poster and played around with the crowd saying that he was doing so to enhance the concert for those who made the posters. Well, it did, and it also enhanced the concert for everyone listening as Mayer cheerfully looked at a sign and said, "I'm not even going to say it, but, that's a hobo sign." Oh, John, you are quite the entertainer.
Currently listening to: My Stupid Mouth - John Mayer (of course!)
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