Las Vegas Weekly

March 28, 2010 · 12:36 PM

Photos: John Mayer is a singer-songwriter and musician, too

By Don Chareunsy

John Mayer performs at Mandalay Bay Events Center on March 27, 2010.

Photo: Brian Jones/Las Vegas News Bureau

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

John Mayer isn’t immune to tabloid headlines and controversy. How can he be when the seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter with mad guitar skills has dated Jennifer Love Hewitt, Minka Kelly, Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston. He also reportedly lip locked with Perez Hilton, and scandal plagued him after his recent Playboy interview in which he used the N-word (and has since apologized more than once) and kissed and told about Simpson.

There were no apologies last night, as Mayer performed a 1 1/2 hour set in his Battle Studies Tour stop, in support of his fourth studio album Battle Studies, at Mandalay Bay Events Center. Taking the stage at 9:30 p.m. behind a white scrim, Mayer launched into his latest single “Heartbreak Warfare.” Mayer gave his fans hits (six in the Top 20, but none in the Top 10 yet), including his breakthrough “No Such Thing” from 2002’s Room for Squares, “Say,” “Waiting on the World to Change,” “Why Georgia” and “Neon,” as well as new work from Battle Studies, including “Crossroads,” “Perfectly Lonely” and “Assassin.”

Two great things about Mayer’s performances are that they are a showcase for his phenomenal and well-known guitar skills (or as one audience member exclaimed, “Wicked, man, wicked!”) and his quirky persona. Extended musicianship by Mayer and his band were the norm last night, and Mayer also beat boxed and performed his own interpretations of the classics “Free Fallin’ ” by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” by Journey.

Before his encore of “Who Says” (the “Who Says You Can’t Get Stoned” song) and “Gravity,” Mayer said to the audience, “I’m 10 years into my career now, and there are so many new, young, popular artists out there now.” In this jam-packed music weekend in Las Vegas, “Thanks for coming out to see the John Mayer show.”

There was no “Bigger Than My Body,” “Your Body Is a Wonderland” or “Daughters,” but it’s refreshing that Mayer isn’t compelled to make his concerts a greatest-hits night. Thanks to Brian Jones of Las Vegas News Bureau and Brian Haraway for these up-close photographs of Mayer and his top-notch band and backup singers.

MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD

If the name Michael Franti & Spearhead sounds familiar, that’s because the San Francisco musicians, who’ve been together for more than 12 years, had chart success for the first time last year with their undeniably catchy and upbeat reggae pop hit “Say Hey (I Love You),” which culminated their hourlong opening set last night of some 10 songs.

The band’s performance was all about audience engagement. Franti appeared and sang in the stands and walked the concert floor. Three audience members were brought onstage, fitted with instruments and rocked out to Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” For the finale of “Say Hey (I Love You),” the kids in the audience were encouraged to come onstage to sing and dance (and were joined by a few adults). Plus, Franti did a very respectable, and respectful, “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson, moonwalk included.

Franti, who is of African, American Indian, Irish, French and German descent, according to Wikipedia, and rock star guitarist Jay “Boogie” Bowman signed autographs and posed for photos on the floor after their set ended. Michael Franti & Spearhead is ready for, and deserving of, their very own headline tour.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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