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.