Gig Review
Soft-voiced American singer-songwriter
John Mayer paid an exclusive, if slightly delayed, visit to Hard Rock Cafe on January 11 as part of
Sony Ericsson Presents Q The Music Club Live.
Photos: John Mayer Q The Music Club
In the UK for a low-key, four-date tour before heading Stateside to embark on an exhausting schedule which will see him occupied until mid-April,
Mayer seemed keen to display some of the qualities that have boosted him to the top of the US charts.
Originally scheduled to perform here late last year, his show was then postponed to January due to other commitments, but the singer more than made up for the re-scheduling with an intimate and acoustic set.
Mayer, whose
Battle Studies went to #1 in the US upon its release in November 2009, shifting more than 350,000 copies in its first two weeks, took to the stage alone, only sporadically joined by an additional guitarist/backing singer.
In a set that saw him perform some of his biggest hits as well as some of his finest new album tracks, and one where almost every minute of music was accompanied by as much between-song banter,
Mayer revealed himself as one of the most fascinating and unique singer-songwriters of his generation.
The concert saw him frequently interacting with audience members, making witty remarks about 'being high on LCD', forgetting lyrics, commenting on Christian rock bands, and referring to his own cover version of
Tom Petty's Free Fallin' as a "cheap thrill" (adding that he should really do "a
Darkness cover or something").
He responded to a fan's request by playing
Gravity (applause), changed the lyrics to recent hit single
Who Says to reference London (more applause), and ended the memorable set with debut single
No Such Thing (you get the point...).
A remarkably talented singer and an eye-catching live performer, the only thing more astounding is that
Mayer has yet to break the UK charts.
Photos: John Mayer Q The Music Club
User Comments
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Does anyone know when this show will go out on Radio or Podcast?
P.s. Robbie McIntosh's support was a hell of a lot more than sporadic.
His guitar skills were mesmerising!!
Great night all round.
Thanks for setting it up Q.
Posted by Dave at | January 14, 2010 10:23
Mayer's version of Free Falling is superb, "cheap thrill" is spot on, you can see how much he enjoys singing it too. "Battle Studies" is a good solid album. It's understandable why he does well in the US charts. Over here JM is almost too clean cut to have cross over appeal which perhaps prevents him from being popular with the more indie crowd he clearly originates from. Its the pop buying female market in the US that has got him to number 1 over there.
I'm with you Dave, can't wait too hear this on a Q Podcast!
Posted by Steve at | January 16, 2010 11:09
John Mayer is an acoustic rock artist who can rock a guitar like no other! In 2003 he won his first Grammy Award for "Your Body Is a Wonderland" and since then has continued his success by winning additional Grammys. There is no doubt that he has more success to come as he releases his fifth album Battle Studies.InSeats.com offers permier tickets for his current tour so you can catch all his hit new singles. For John Mayer tickets visit www.inseats.com/john-mayer
Posted by Anonymous at | June 30, 2010 15:55
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