Mayer lives up to his musical hype
There was no disappointment on Friday as John Mayer, with opening act One Republic, played to a full house at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.
The concert was full of surprises, beginning as soon as you walked into the arts center. Security guards were waiting with free upgraded tickets, supplied by the band, for concert-goers who had purchased lawn seats and instead wanted to move into the covered seating area. Many fans happily accepted these seats, while the lawn also quickly filled up in anticipation for the acts to come. The crowd was diverse, with concert- goers of all ages, genders, and races, proving that the John Mayer fan base is one that is so broad it crosses all lines.
The show got under way quickly as One Republic took the stage, performing a lively set, including their recent hits “Apologize” and “Stop and Stare.” They set an upbeat tone which carried throughout the show, encouraging fans to sing along.
However, it became obvious upon the introduction of the tour headlining John Mayer that this was the band people really came out to see. Immediately, the crowd was on their feet and cheering as Mayer opened the show with his hit “Waiting on the World to Change.”
He played a set filled with his popular singles such as “Say” and some lesser-known tracks from his albums, such as “Something’s Missing,” which demonstrated the talent of his seven-person backup band. Mayer treated the crowd to a cover of “Mercy,” a blues ballad recently made famous by singer Duffy. Songs like this illustrated his musical abilities, allowing him to combine his distinguishable vocals and his brilliant skill on the guitar.
Fans were also treated to hearing a new song called “Taking on Water,” which Mayer wrote in the bathroom of a hotel while on tour.
“You can just say whatever you want, and then just play a song after it. I think marshmallows are delicious,” Mayer said, as he launched into his first single “No Such Thing,” and then transitioned into “Why Georgia,” two of the biggest crowd pleasers of the night. Both songs demonstrated not only Mayer’s raw talent, but when listening to the audience singing along, one can tell that his lyrics relate to everyone.
This ability to relate is what allows Mayer to attract such a diverse crowd, and will, without a doubt, keep fans listening to his music for years to come. “John Mayer is the kind of artist who will always be relevant,” said Analiese Reigstad, a junior at City Honors. “Twenty years from now his songs will still make sense to people.”
Gabrielle Maier will be a junior at City Honors.
