John Mayer and His Travelling Band at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

During his show on Saturday night in Irvine, John Mayer took several opportunities to thank the audience for showing up, for braving the traffic (which actually wasn't bad), for being patient over the last three years as he regained his voice, for "defending me to your friends over drinks," and for general love and support.

Deserved or not, John Mayer does attract negative attention. He's a punch line. He's a tabloid headline. He talks too much. He dates too much. He's too much.

If it wasn't for the music, maybe I would feel the same way, but for the past 12 years, I have had the music and that's why I'm a fan. "Why Georgia?" got me to buy "Room for Squares," and ever since, I've eagerly counted down to the release of each new album, including "Paradise Valley," coming Aug. 20. All those songs are what got to me to read the interviews, follow his blogs and go to the shows (seven to date).

Saturday's show heavily featured songs from last year's "Born and Raised" and the soon-to-be-released "Paradise Valley," songs with an open, easy, strum-around-the-campfire feel. Older songs "Half of My Heart" and "Who Says" were reworked, sped up, clanging, thumping.

For the first time, I sat through a John Mayer concert, partially in deference to the other people in my section and partially because it just felt right to relax and listen.

I'm going to John Mayer's show at the Hollywood Bowl in October. Maybe I'll dance, maybe I'll sit, maybe the set list will rock harder, maybe it will be mellower. Regardless, I know I'll be happy to be in the room, listening to the words, listening to the music, singing along.

Saturday night's set list:

Queen of California
Paper Doll
I Don't Trust Myself
Fool to Love You
Something Like Olivia
Half of My Heart
Vultures
LA Song (In Your Atmosphere)
Free Fallin'
Wildfire
Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad
Love Is a Verb
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room
Waiting on the World to Change
If I Ever Get Around to Living
Who Says
They Call Me the Breeze
Born and Raised
Age of Worry
Gravity
Face to Call Home
Let My Love Open the Door