Review: Dear John (Mayer) — welcome back, guitars and all — PHOTOS
When did seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and musician (most notably guitar) John Mayer, creator of the 2001 album “Room for Squares” and 2002 hits “No Such Thing” and “Your Body Is a Wonderland,” all of a sudden age to 39?
Probing question aside, Mayer brought his “The Search for Everything Tour” to T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night in an evening that is best described as pure jubilation for the artist and the near-capacity crowd.
Mayer hit the stage at 8:50 p.m. after an opening set by indie-pop band Lany, who Mayer later described as “dynamic kids with infectious songs.” Mayer brilliantly broke up the evening into chapters, giving a lil’ something to his fans who love him with a full band, solo and acoustically and as The John Mayer Trio.
Here’s the rundown:
Chapter 1: Full band
1. “Moving On and Getting Over” — Mayer is dressed in black from head to toe.
2. “Queen of California” — during this song, not only does he have a new guitar, but he also changes guitar mid-song. After the song, he addresses T-Mobile Arena for the first time with, “Las Vegas, good evening!”
3. “Love on the Weekend” — after performing his most recent single, he says, “Thank you.”
4. “Who Says” — one of the lines of this song is, “Who says I can’t get stoned?” There is, all of a sudden, a noticeable and nearby scent of marijuana. Seriously.
5. “Helpless” — Mayer talks about writing the riff for this song while nursing a hangover in a Brioni suit. Oh, John.
Chapter 2: Acoustic
6. “Stop This Train” — he whistles … and really well.
7. “Neon” — it’s begun with a low-key, acoustic guitar solo. The evening had an abundance of incredible guitar solos.
8. “Your Body Is a Wonderland” — before beginning his second hit, he says that this show is the last of the first leg (show No. 14) and he has 1 1/2 shows left in him, similar to when you’re down to the last breadstick with a lot of cheesy dip in your Nabisco Handi-Snack (breadsticks ’n cheesy dip).
Then he asks, “How can I satisfy you, Las Vegas?” Cue a roar of applause. “ ‘Passionfruit’ by Drake because that would be great for acoustic guitar,” he quips. Continuing the dry humor tinged with silly sarcasm, he continues, “I’ll play the song of my pop culture identity about love, innocence and happiness.” Yes, it’s “Your Body Is a Wonderland.”
9. Mayer asks, “Are you having a good time so far?” Then he launches into Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ “Free Falling” before, acting as a short intermission, a video of Mayer and bandmates plays.
Chapter 3: John Mayer Trio (JM3) (with drummer Steve Jordan and bassist Pino Palladino)
In possibly the best part of the evening in an exceptional night, JM3 slayed with the following four songs:
10. “Jam in E”
11. Jimi Hendrix’s “Wait Until Tomorrow”
12. “Vultures,” during which Mayer showcases his falsetto.
13. Robert Johnson’s “Crossroad,” which is astounding.
Chapter 4: Full band (reprise)
During the final stretch, it is apparent that the sound in T-Mobile Arena is exemplary for “The Search for Everything Tour.”
14. “Rosie”
15. “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”
16. “If I Ever Get Around to Living”
17. “Why Georgia”
It’s time for thanks after “Why Georgia.” “Thank you very much for coming out tonight. You have truly re-inspired me,” Mayer tells the audience, then lauds his band, singers and Lany.
18. “Gravity”
As the encore commences at 10:46 p.m., an Italian couple nearby hug in excitement for the encore as if they have won the lottery. It’s super cute.
19. “I’m Going to Find Another You”
20. “Still Feel Like Your Man” — seriously, what’s with the panda dancing video?
Chapter 5: Epilogue
21. “You’re Gonna Live Forever in Me” — many fans of Mayer would say the same thing as he sits in white at a white piano with an all-white LED background. It’s classy, elegant, understated and gorgeous. “The Search for Everything Tour” resumes July 18 in Albuquerque, with an end date for now on Sept. 3. Meantime, Mayer has dates with The Dead & Company Tour.
