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London,
Jane Cornwell's rating
Reader rating
Description: A performance by the Macclesfield-born blues guitarist and songwriter, with his touring band.
Phone: 0207589 8212
Website: www.royalalberthall.com
Trains: Tube: High Street Kensington 
, Tube / Bus: 9, 10, 52, 360 
Extra info: Pub, Food
John Mayer: shining guitar work
'I ain't got no stage patter,' confessed John Mayer, spot-lit before a sold out (in just two hours) Royal Albert Hall. 'But I sure know how to play this guitar,' he wailed in a comedy falsetto, fingering his shiny white Stratocaster.
A multi-Grammy winning, platinum-selling singer/ songwriter and occasional stand-up comic, Mayer, 29, considers himself a guitarist before anything else. Last night’s powerful show proved why.
Flanked by lead and bass guitarists from his crack eight-piece band, the Atlanta-raised artist showed off his blazing fretwork on an infinite series of electric guitars.
There were songs, of course. Most came courtesy of Mayer’s third and latest album, Continuum, a versatile pop/soul/blues record with smart, singalong lyrics. His rootsy vocals were most effective on slow burning numbers such as Gravity, I Don’t Trust Myself and the forthcoming single, Waiting on the World to Change.
But it was his guitar work that really shone. A giant split screen backdrop zoomed in on quick fire chord changes as Mayer splayed his legs and channelled his idols: Eric Clapton, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan. A rocking cover of Ray Charles’s I Don’t Need No Doctor drew gasps from blues fans and shrieks from the teenaged front rows. As an encore, the melancholic Stop This Train was delivered solo on acoustic guitar — a final masterstroke.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
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I have been a huge John Mayer fan for some years now and have twice made the long journey from Glasgow to see him perform.
It would be naive to go to a John concert and expect to be treated to a huge amount of his older stuff at this stage as he is clearly changing as an artist and has moved on from his acoustic rock days. Now don't get me wrong I think that some of Johns finest work is from the Continum album (Belief, Vultures, Slow Dancing...), however it would have been nice to be have heard more from the previous two albums, particulary as has been said before, since he is relatively unknown over here.
Concert was amazing, great band, guitar solos and of course the venue, but I felt I spent a lot of the night just waiting for the older hits to come - possibly a mistake on my part. It is also disappointing to hear on other sites that Tuesdays show seems to have been longer and with a slightly more enthusiatic John.
Overall though a great show and topped off with a brilliant performance from Newton Faulkner.
- Kirsty, Glasgow, Scotland
I love John Mayer because he's an amazing singer / song writer, who sure knows how to play a guitar. But it's an accoustic guitar he sounds best with. That's what has drawn a lot of people to his music.
And while he thanked his fans that they "let" him evolve his music and style, his new electric guitar, 10 minute solo jamming just isn't the John Mayer we know and love. Or at least I know and love ...
Whenever he got a new guitar from a roadie for the next song, I was hoping for an accoustic one, but it just didn't happen.
There is no doubt that he's an amazing musician, but I didn't come for an Led Zeppelin cum Ray Charles revival.
In that respect his support act, Newton Faulkner proved to be what saved the gig for me. He's simply amazing!
I still love John Mayer music, but next time I'll check whether he's playing solo or with a band.
- Phil, London
I'm a big John Mayer fan and had been looking forward to this show for ages. But... totally let down! Granted he is an amazing guitarist, but his self gratifying guitar soloing was quite embarrasing to watch. You can tell that he was sick of singing these songs time and time again, as he never stuck to any melody and just seemed to shout the lyrics out. There was no show about this gig at all... The band had an average age of 55 and most of them couldn't even muscle up enough energy for the final bow, and just gave a slight nod of the head.
One shout out must go to the person who employed the sound engineer who only seemed bothered to turn up his guitar and drums, the sound of the vocals was more like scratching your nails down a black board.
I was utterly dissapointed with this show. I really hope he was just having an off day.
It was a really international crowd and you could feel it. American crowds want to have music that they can share with each other, where British crowds want music to be their own, and something to be proud of...
I loved the warm up guy, think he was called Sam Faulkener... Highlight of the night sadly enough.
- Steve Keegan, Brixton, London
I had not heard of him before Monday but managed to get a returned ticket for Tuesday's gig.
I was probably one of the oldest at the gig (having seen Clapton in the Yardbirds at the original Cavern in Liverpool.)
This guy is phenomenal, he has it all and is up there with the greatest Rock and Blues Guitarists (and singers).
I have seen most of the "Guitar Gods" through the 60's and 70's Mayer is up there and is top class.
In time he will have wider acclaim.
- Lawrence Cheshire, UK
A fantastic gig from someone who is virtually unheard of in England, yet has more talent than most British guitarists! The three guitarists produced riff after riff between them, with Clapton-like riffs.
I agree with Al Stuart - he is not famous because he seems to be fairly grounded, the only time I have ever seen him mentioned in newspapers is when they mention Jessica Simpson, his supposed flame.
I first saw him on the Live from Abbey Road series - I was instantly interested in his music, and bought all three albums. Even though the albums were good the gig itself was so different to the albums, for the better might I add.
If he comes back for more gig dates - go, you won't regret it!
- Paul Mason, Pitsea
I first heard John Mayer on Live Earth this summer and was totally blown away by his performance of 'Gravity'. I immediately bought Continuum, Room for Squares, Heavier Things and Any Given Thursday. Continuum has been playing constantly in my car since Live Earth and is my favourite - his voice has matured and the guitar playing is beautiful. I went to the concert on Monday and fully endorse all the above positive comments. (can't understand the negative one..) So totally blown away was I at the whole performance that I hunted down some tickets for the Tuesday performance also. The Tuesday set included some different songs (and was longer) and if its possible to improve on Monday's set, which was totally amazing and left me stunned then Tuesdays evening was even more awesome! I too enjoy his facial expressions and the total connection he has with his guitar. I didn't want the evening to end but sadly it did - I only wish I'd discovered him earlier.
- Janice Khoo, Swindon, UK
In my time i've seen some of the greatest bands and at their peak, however i've never been so blown away. OK the venue is incredible but I wasn't expecting the sound to be that good, even sat in the centre of the top circle it was immaculate. When he stepped on stage and unleashed the first few notes of his guitar playing, the anticipation was unbearable. So then when he kicked into 'Belief' and I was hit by this wall of sound, my smile said it all. My hat went out straight away to JJ Johnson for putting the entirety of his body into his drumming and the resulting sound was a testament to this. The band as a whole were immaculate without being soulless or distracting from My Mayer. Whilst i'm very aware that he likes to play his guitar, the songs allowed for these extended jams whilst retaining some interesting and elevating arrangements.
The three friends I was joined by were just as speechless in the walk after the show, followed by spontanious group hugs at the joy of what we'd just experienced. For all you cynics out there, open your heart to the reality of his character, integrity & dedication to writing meaningful music in this oh so plastic world.
- James Hartley, Nottingham
I have been a huge Mayer fan since he first came on the scene several years ago and travelled down to London with my other mayer fans to see the gig on Monday 17th September.
I must admit I was not electrified by the performance and I have seen him perform far better. The sound quality left a lot to be desired and most of John's amazing guitar work was drowned out by a wall off sound due to poor overall sound quality.
John was quiet as he usually talks quite a lot between songs and i felt he was not on stage very long with less than 90 minutes including the single encore.
I am still a huge fan though as everyone can have an off day and i am sure John would be equally as interested in the constructive reviews as well....i hope.
- John Porter, Glasgow, Scotland
He isn't popular over here because he doesnt have a gimic. Like looking weird or having a famous girl friend or a drug habit.
Also being a good guitar player is a no-no with the critics in the UK, who think that being able to play well equals being self- indulgent!
- Al Stuart, Ealing London
Lucky enough to see him two nights in a row, I am blown away by his talent. The second night he was more relaxed and really enjoying him self. What an amazing guitarist, possibly the best ive even seen. I love the facial expressions. Great Ray Charles cover, 'why Georgia' on each night was amazing. Check him out if you have never heard of him.
- Alexa Hohenberg, London
I've been listening to Mayer's album Continuum (and back catalogue) for nearly a year now and never have I been so excited in anticipation of a gig. It's so unusual for a show to contain so many familiar tunes. Often gigs are a glitzy showcase for new material but with JM's few UK appearances here coupled with the fact that over herer so few people know who he is, all of the tracks played were over 12 months old and now firmly part of my mp3 collection.
The event was nothing short of stupendous. Not only is he a modern day guitar legend but he also has the perfect soulful vocal for his blues/rock rhythms. Flanked by a team of tight musicians really support him well but it's John who steals the show with amazing fretwork in his mesmarising axe solos. Tracks like Good Love Is On The Way really set the audience rocking whilst Slow Dancing In A Burning Room offered the perfect antidote bringing the tempo right down without ever losing the audience's captivated attention for one second.
He was so good I was sorely tempted to go again for the extra show he put on the following night due to his demand. Once the word spreads as to how accomplished this guy is, I'm sure next time he visits these shores tickets will sell out faster than a Ricky Gervais gig! I feel privileged that I got to go this time round and not only that, this was my first visit to The Royal Albert Hall and I can't think of a better stage for John to perform to me on.
My bubble has only been inflated not burst!
- David Jenner, Tonbridge, Kent, UK
Awful gig. Truly awful. The guy is so derivative. There's nothing original about this bloke at all. Would rather watch paint dry. Boring.
- Steve Howell, London
Excellent gig, this guy has come on ten-fold since seeing him a few years back at the Hammersmith Apollo. For those serious guitar musos out there check him out... this guy can really play!
- Mick Crook, Rayleigh, Essex, UK
The concert was brilliant - he really is just an amazing guitarist, a beautiful lyricist, and a pleasure to watch. I second the first comment - how he is not more popular here is astounding.
- Louise, London, UK
This concert was amazing, how he is not more popular in the UK is beyond me. I can't wait to see him again.
- Clare Wall, Isle of Wight, UK
