CONCERT REVIEW: John Mayer is good, and he knows it
His show at the arena Saturday night was almost sold out.
By Heather Lovejoy
John Mayer is a fine musician, better than you might expect. It would be hard to dispute that he’s a talented, solid performer. The hitch when he played at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on Saturday night, was that the show became an ode to himself. That was OK with some fans, but overall, the crowd didn’t profess their undying love for him.
The crowd: Reserved, mainstream Americans. They sang along, but didn’t go wild or unbutton their shirts. No panties were thrown on stage, and there wasn’t much in the way of “We LOVE you, John!” For such a large crowd, with only some scattered seats in the highest deck, the encore cheer was weak. Either they knew he was coming back, so didn’t want to bother, or they wanted to go home and get some sleep.
The set-up: Not too flashy, with no catwalk and only one large screen behind the band. At the start and for part of the encore, there was sheer netting encompassing the stage, from the ceiling to the floor. Images flashed briefly on the netting, which was drawn back like curtains for most of the show.
The atmosphere: Tame.
Highlights: The first three songs were impressive, especially “Perfectly Lonely.” A while later, a good vibe set in again with the first few notes of “Say,” one of Mayer’s hit singles. The energy stepped up a notch, people swayed and Mayer seemed to be enjoying himself. Staying true to the television commercials, it was a Hallmark moment.
Low point: There was an awkward transition after “Waiting on the World to Change” and “Edge of Desire.” They went into a few verses of “Walking on the Moon” by The Police, but it just didn’t work. The band wasn’t tight like they were during the rest of the concert.
Weird moment: After “Half of My Heart,” Mayer went into “Dreams,” a Fleetwood Mac tune sung by Stevie Nicks. It was impossible to overlook that “Half of My Heart” features Taylor Swift on his latest album, “Battle Studies.” Considering Swift’s painful Grammy performance alongside her idol, Nicks, and the harsh criticism that followed, it was hard to know what to make of it. Was he trying to point out that he can sing a Nicks’ song just fine, unlike Swift?
Mayer: He doesn’t rely solely on his looks, and doesn’t play the sex card in the gross way many pop stars do. At least, not on stage. In a black T-shirt, black pants and sneakers, there was nothing ostentatious about him. He’s a good singer and guitarist with plenty of stage presence to carry a two-hour show. But a little humility wouldn’t hurt. He mused a lot about love and dating, offered relationship advice and said he was also there as a “life coach.” Considering his dating history, be wary of his advice. He also said he was going back to concentrating on playing guitar, and cutting out interviews and his controversial sound bytes because he realized he wasn’t being himself.
The band: Two guitarists, a bassist, keyboardist and a phenomenal drummer. There were also two dancers who added some back-up vocals. They were classy, not trashy.
Encore: “Who Says” and “Heartbreak Warfare” were great. It could have ended nicely at that point. But then he went into a long spiel about relationships in which he proclaimed his “knowledge” (again). That led into “Friends, Lovers or Nothing.” Then he went into a few lines of “Love the One You’re With” by Crosby, Stills and Nash, which morphed into several minutes of “Ooh, yea, yea yea.”
Opening act: Michael Franti and Spearhead did their job well. They got the crowd riled up and singing with their arms in the air. Franti went into the crowd and roamed all over the arena, invited audience members on stage and gave hugs at the end of his set. During one song, he let two little girls sing into the microphone. The interaction and his mix of reggae and hip-hop was well-received.
Source: Jacksonville.com
John Mayer Review
That was one ridiculous show.
It was incredible – the sets were awesome, the people were awesome, and the stuff was just awesome.
First we got some merch – I got a shirt from Michael Franti & Spearhead that had Say Hey (I Love You) written on it, and the LP/CD of Battle Studies. Bridget got one of the Heartbreak Warfare shirts with the tour dates on the back.
It was raining pretty much the whole time we were outside, so we were SOAKED to the bone. We put the stuff in the car ’cause we had a lot of time to kill – I thought it started at 7, and, thanks to not having paper tickets, didn’t realize that it didn’t start until 8pm. So we were there a while. We got some food and drink and waited until Michael Franti got up and did his thing.
Which was AMAZING. That whole group is amazingly talented. I loved it, and I REALLY need that CD now. It’s so dance-y and fun and just straight up good. It’s reggae with a bit of rock in… so good. If you like Say Hey, then you’d like it all.
He didn’t wear shoes, which was kind of cool. And had super-long dreads. But the best part was that he went around the crowd and danced with people, and in the end he brought up a couple of people to play guitar with him on stage. One was a guy who was sitting the row in front of us, and the girl just so happened to be Bridget. He just dragged them up there, and handed them [non-working] guitars to strum while they played some riffs and whatever. It was hilarious. :]
And then there was a break and I missed seeing him and getting a picture — that was really sad. But it’s all good. I kind of have his signature – it’s on the shirt. It’s not like he signed each individual one, but it’s still cool.
Then John Mayer went up. And he played an amazing set, including my first favorite song of his – No Such Thing. There was much dancing the whole time. It was just so good. And he brought up a sign that he analyzed… that was one of those you had to be there kind of moments. Having to do with a Joshua Tree. It was HILARIOUS.
But yeah, he had an AMAZING set, and then we were about to leave, but Bridget persuaded me to go back to the stagedoor area at the very back of the venue. Turns out he’s one who comes out and signs stuff after the show. That was cool. I didn’t get him to sign anything of mine, but I got a picture of him signing someone else’s stuff… That was cool. Bridget on the other hand weaseled her way up there [that little Ron with his weaseling... hahah... pun. 
] and got him to sign both of our tickets. It was incredible.
I now have the best part of my collection — I have a ticket signed by John Mayer. WHAT?
Sixth row floor 1 seats, some awesome merch and a signed ticket? Yeah. I’d say it was perfection.
So yeah. It was kind of AMAZING. :]
I’ll include pictures whenever Bridget puts hers up online and I get mine off my phone 
. Silly Facebook is being weird so I couldn’t upload them yet. xp
SO yeah. That’s my weekend so far.
I missed the Winterguard show, which I’m pretty upset about, but you know. There’ll be a chance. I was sleeping until like, 2pm. It was a long night.
I also missed John Green’s live show for Helping Haiti Heal the night of the show, but I made the one today, so it’s all good. We ended up, so far [it's still open until midnight tonight] raising over $119,000. That’s enough for three planes [named Harry, Hermione, and Ron] to travel to Haiti filled to the brim with aid and supplies. That’s RIDICULOUS.
So yeah, it’s been a pretty good weekend, I’d say. :]
Source: Stevie’s Wordplay
Setlist:
Crossroads
Vultures
Perfectly Lonely
Assassin
Waiting On The World To Change (w/ Michael Franti)
Walking on the Moon -> Edge of Desire
Say
Half of My Heart
Dreams -> Do You Know Me
Why Georgia
Bigger Than My Body
Gravity
-encore-
Who Says
Heartbreak Warfare
Friends, Lovers or Nothing
Comments (7) 
The rumored romance between country sweetheart Taylor Swift and Hollywood playboy John Mayer has hit the skids after the 20-year-old overbearing stage mom hit the roof over Mayer’s womanizing past.
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