John Mayer and Michael Franti & Spearhead at Staples Center

Twenty-four hours ago I was walking around the Staples Center, smiling at the memories that lurk around the place and eagerly awaiting John Mayer's show that night. The man far exceeded my wide-eyed expectations.

I will freely admit that I am quite biased when it comes to John Mayer. I'm a fan because I think he's immensely talented and also because we seem to speak the same language, have the same reference points, have muddled through similar wastelands in our heads (OK, so I don't have the paparazzi camped outside my door to find out which A-lister I'm sleeping with, but I can relate to that feeling of being 32 and knowing that this is nothing like you thought 32 would be and seeing that you have a list of things you'd like to accomplish in your life but knowing the time, energy and skill it would take to get it all done are fleeting).

I think Ben Wener, pop music critic for the OC Register (and a former editor of mine), hit the nail on the head for me, "Staples Center was packed to the rafters Thursday night with thousands of screaming fans—guys who want to be him, women who’d gladly let him peruse porn for two hours before sleeping with him, and people of both genders who simply think he’s among the finest purveyors of sophisticated pop music today." Yeah, I think I fall into two of those camps.

Michael Franti & Spearhead opened the show. I'd heard the name but didn't know much about the group until I heard an interview with Franti on NPR a few months ago. After more than 10 years in the business, he's had his first Top 20 single ("Say Hey (I Love You)") so was warmly embraced by the crowd—Staples Center was about two-thirds full for the opening set, which so rarely happens.

Franti & Spearhead brought so much happy, infectious energy to the arena. People were dancing, jumping, singing, waving their arms, couples were making out, there was just a really joyful vibe in the place. Franti walked around the floor, performing from the audience (even in my section!), and I think that helped to condense the massive Staples Center. Granted, I was in the first section above the floor, but the place felt intimate and unified.



I was really impressed with Michael Franti & Spearhead and think they'd make a great opener for U2.

Then it was time for John Mayer. He had a great stage enclosed in a translucent drape. A silhouetted video of the performer doing his pre-show preparations (coat on, walking up the narrow corridor, etc.) was projected on the drape as the opening notes to "Heartbreak Warfare" started up. The curtains opened and John Mayer was at the mic, backed by a newish band that features three long-time collaborators (Robbie McIntosh and David Ryan Harris on guitars and Steve Jordan on drums) and four newcomers (or at least new to me—Sean Hurley on bass, Charlie Wilson on keyboards, and Julie Delgado and Melanie Taylor on backing vocals).



One thing I've always admired about John Mayer live is that even though his name alone is on the marquee and every ticket, he treats his band as a band and he is just another member. Everyone gets their moment to shine, and when you have really talented, accomplished, veteran musicians sharing the stage with you, it makes sense to share the spotlight, and I think it only adds to John Mayer's credibility that those artists would be willing to travel the world alongside him.

Overall, I was happy with the set list. I really try not to complain about set lists at shows because I'm usually just so excited to be at a show, but I did have one small issue with last night's set—there was not a single song from "Heavier Things" played at the show. I know that with five major-label studio albums under his belt, and the latest needing to be highlighted the most, that it's impossible for him to play every song that everyone would like to hear, but I was surprised that hits like "Bigger Than My Body," "Clarity" or even "Daughters" didn't make the cut.

So while I didn't get to hear anything from what is probably my favorite John Mayer album last night, I did get to hear my favorite John Mayer song, "Why Georgia." Last night was my sixth tine seeing him live, and I think he's played "Why Georgia" at all but one of those shows. That's the song that really caught my attention in 2002 when John Mayer was first catching fire, that's the song that got me to buy "Room for Squares," that's the song that perfectly sums me up when I feel like I'm treading water. I sang myself nearly hoarse on that one.



The covers were great. "Ain't No Sunshine" was just totally stellar and will hopefully get some kind of release. "Half of My Heart" was bumped up so many notches when melded with Fleetwood Mac's gorgeous "Dreams" and Journey's epic "Don't Stop Believing."

He bared his heart a little during some of the on-stage banter, he made fun of himself in songs, he busted some pretty hot moves in advance of Steve Jordan's stunning drum solo, and he showed off all his best guitar tricks. John Mayer was really on last night and I think that might have been the best concert I've ever seen by him.

Since his tour to support "Continuum," John Mayer has sold limited-edition posters for each stop. I have the Hollywood Bowl poster hanging in my room and an Irvine Meadows one somewhere. I bought last night's limited-edition for a somewhat-surprising $40. It's cool to have something that's limited to just 300 prints, but I was still a little hesitant about the amount I spent until I read about this particular print and exactly how special it really is. Shirts last night were selling for nearly that much and I have John Mayer shirts, but this poster is something really special that I'll keep for a long time.



The poster came in a specially made tube that features the John Mayer "Battle Studies" logo and said "Tour 2010–2011." Sounds like he'll be coming back soon. I'd love another outdoor show, maybe at The Greek. Whatever it is, I'll be there.

African Well Fund Launches Eighth Annual Build a Well for Bono's Birthday Fundraiser

For the past four years, I have been lucky enough to volunteer with the African Well Fund, a completely grassroots, volunteer-run nonprofit founded by U2 fans that raises money to fund clean water and sanitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Every year, AWF hosts a fundraiser in honor of Bono's birthday. This year, the U2 lead singer, Nobel Prize nominee, artist, humanitarian, hero to us all is turning 50 so AWF is aiming to raise $50,000 between now and May 10, Bono's birthday. This money will be used to fund a project in Zimbabwe.

To reach this goal, we need to spread the word to as many people as possible, so any support I can get from those of you who happen upon this page from time to time is tremendously appreciated.

Thank you!!

African Well Fund Launches Eighth Annual Build a Well for Bono's Birthday Fundraiser

Nonprofit organization hopes to raise $50,000 between March 22 and May 10 to fund water and sanitation projects in Zimbabwe in honor of the U2 lead singer's 50th birthday.

SCHENECTADY , N.Y. – The African Well Fund has launched its eighth annual Build a Well for Bono's Birthday fundraiser. To honor the U2 lead singer's 50th birthday, the nonprofit is aiming to raise $50,000 during the 50-day period of March 22 to May 10. All funds raised will benefit a community water and sanitation project in the Buhera District of Zimbabwe that will be implemented by Africare, African Well Fund's partner.

"It makes me proud to be a part of the U2 fan community and, in my opinion, there is no other community like it and that's why this year, in honor of Bono's 50th birthday, we've decided to set our highest goal yet to raise $50,000 in 50 days," said Rob Trigalet, board chairman for the African Well Fund. "We know that it will not only take people donating but, just as important, we'll be asking everyone who supports us to help spread the word through Facebook, Twitter and the various blogs and fan sites that our supporters may be involved with. We think this is a great year to try and really get the word out to as many people as possible."

To reach the $50,000 goal, the African Well Fund is accepting donations through its website, selling a limited-edition print by artist Azalea Millet, selling limited-edition merchandise through Zazzle, and auctioning U2 live photos and U2 360 Tour concert tickets on eBay.

Millet has donated limited-edition hand-signed and numbered prints that will be sold for $50 through the African Well Fund's website beginning Monday, March 29.

"I have an enormous amount of respect and admiration for AWF and its mission to provide villages in Africa with clean water by building wells," said Millet, whose artwork has also been used as the inspiration for this year's Build a Well for Bono's Birthday logo and merchandise. "I want to show my support by doing all I can to help them raise money to meet their goal of $50,000 for Bono's 50th birthday."

The U2 live photo auction, the third auction of U2 concert photos taken by fans and professional photographers that the African Well Fund has hosted, will be held from Sunday, April 18 through Sunday, April 25. The 2007 photo auction raised over $7,000 for that year's Build a Well for Bono's Birthday fundraiser; the 2006 photo auction raised over $11,000 for that year's fundraiser.

General admission tickets for U2 360 Tour dates in Salt Lake City , Anaheim and Philadelphia will be auctioned between Monday, May 3 and Saturday, May 8. In 2009, auctions of U2 concert tickets raised nearly $500 for that year's Build a Well for Bono's Birthday fundraiser.

All donors will be invited to add their birthday wishes to a card that will be sent to Bono via Principle Management.

"Bono has referred to this fundraiser as his 'favorite birthday gift,'" Trigalet said. "I really believe that this year might be the best one yet."

Donations from the seven previous Build a Well for Bono's Birthday fundraisers have totaled over $170,000 and have been used to fund water and sanitation projects implemented by African Well Fund partner Africare to benefit more than 28,000 people in Angola, Ethiopia, Liberia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The African Well Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of funding clean water and sanitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa . Since its founding in 2002, the African Well Fund has raised more than $700,000 to fund more than 200 projects in 13 African nations, benefiting more than 260,000 people.

One More Try

I could easily waste away entire days on YouTube checking out all the videos from the '80s and '90s that I adored, the songs that played at junior high dances, whose lyrics made it into yearbook messages, the songs I bought as cassette singles.

In homage to the wonderful treasure trove that is YouTube, from time to time I'll seek out and post one of those classics of the video era.

Thanks to the constant rotation of "oldies" on KGGI, I get to relive the glorious music from back in the day. Today on the drive home from lunch, Timmy T's mega-hit "One More Try" was playing (it hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 and was played about 20 times a day on Top 40 radio). The song came out in 1990 and probably hasn't been played much since about 1992, but I still know all the words. I can remember being one in a busload of seventh and eighth graders singing "One More Try" full out on the way to and from a choir competition (it was played a lot).

For your listening and viewing pleasure (because we sure did know how to dress back then, got to love the mustard-color sports jacket and harem pants), Timmy T's "One More Try":

Erin Go Bragh

To honor St. Patrick's Day, I don't drink green beer or eat Lucky Charms or anything else cheesy like that. I do like to pull out music by some of my favorite Irish artists and think about my long-ago, far-away home.

Below, a few favorites:

The Pogues "Dirty Old Town" (my go-to request at pubs)


The Cranberries "Dreams" (I love the banshee-like notes she hits at the end)


The Corrs "Breathless" (this song is directly responsible for my second trip to Ireland)


U2 "Pride" (of all of U2's videos, I chose this one because it was filmed in Dublin)


Bono and The Corrs "Summer Wine" (two great Irish voices comes together in this sexy cover of a Nancy Sinatra/Lee Hazelwood classic)


Enjoy what's left of your St. Patrick's Day!