Courtesy
Singer-songwriter John Mayer performs Friday, March 11, 2021, at MGM Grand Garden Arena during his Sob Rock tour stop. (Brenton Ho, Powers Imagery for MGM Grand)
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 | 2 a.m.
John Mayer’s tour stop Friday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena was heavy on songs from his newest album, “Sob Rock” — more than a third of the tunes he performed were from the 2021 release.
Think that bothered his fans who filled the arena? Think again.
From the opening song “Last Train Home,” to the encore “New Light” — both of which are cuts from the album — fans were on their collective feet throughout the evening, appreciative of both the new songs and the old songs that Mayer sang.
Setlist
“Last Train Home”
“Shot in the Dark”
“Belief”
“Love on the Weekend”
“Wild Blue”
“Changin’”
“Helpless”
“In Your Atmosphere”
“Free Fallin’ ” (Tom Petty cover)
“Neon”
“I Guess I Just Feel Like”
“Who Says”
“Edge of Desire”
“Rosie”
“Carry Me Away”
“The Beautiful Ones” (Prince cover) sung by David Ryan Harris
“Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”
“Til the Right One Comes”
“Gravity”
Encore: “New Light”
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter-guitarist even commented to the audience midway through his set, “You’ve been very wonderful in allowing us to play the new songs in hopes that they might become the future old songs. But I know what you want.”
Mayer then launched into an acoustic version of “In Your Atmosphere,” the “I don’t think I’m going to go to LA anymore” song from his 2008 album, “Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles.”
In addition, he mixed in past hits including “Love on the Weekend,” “Gravity,” “Neon” and “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” — all to the delight of the screaming audience.
The tour stop was Mayer’s first as a solo act in Las Vegas since a 2017 appearance at T-Mobile Arena. (He also appeared with comedian Dave Chappelle for their “Controlled Danger” show in 2018 at MGM Grand Garden Arena).
Friday also marked the resumption of the “Sob Rock” tour after stops in Pittsburgh, Belmont, N.Y., and Boston were postponed because of Mayer and members of his band contracting COVID-19.
“We got wiped out by COVID,” Mayer explained Friday night. “We got lambasted and had to retreat.”
But the show went on in Las Vegas, with Mayer throughout the night reflecting on the “Sob Rock” theme — songs written during the pandemic that pay homage to the music he grew up on in the 1980s. The ’80s throwback concept wasn’t present just in the music. It also thrived on stage with band members and in the apparel — on and offstage.
“We have some audience members who decided to dress for the occasion, chronologically dress for the occasion,” Mayer noted. “Here’s the thing: When you first do it, you feel a little uncomfortable. And then all of a sudden you’re like, it makes you have more fun. We have a little bit – I speak for myself and I think I speak for others — forgotten to have fun.”
Then, remarking on his own wardrobe, he said: “I’m wearing a purple suit! You throw on a purple suit, you’re going to have a better day. I promise you that.”
Mayer was accompanied by a group of seven talented musicians — including staples from 1980s acts — and two singers, including longtime bandmates David Ryan Harris (guitar) and Pino Palladino (bass); percussionist Lenny Castro, formerly of Toto; Greg Phillinganes, a longtime collaborator with Michael Jackson, on keyboards; and Steve Ferrone, longtime drummer with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Harris was outstanding with his vocals onPrince’s “The Beautiful Ones.” He also provided strong backup on the keytar to Mayer on “Helpless.”
But the night belonged to Mayer, whose guitar prowess is unquestioned. Throughout the evening, a single spotlight shone on the artist as he broke into extended solos that highlighted his depth and finesse on the instrument.
Always engaging, Mayer thanked the crowd toward the end of the show, saying, “We hope you’ve enjoyed yourself tonight. And we hope we’ve played at least some, if not all, of the songs on your playlist.”
