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John Mayer close to British breakthrough
By
David Smyth
19 Jan 2010
Guitarist John Mayer is making belated progress in his bid to be known in this country beyond American expats and Heat readers more interested in which starlet he is currently squiring.
As he played a sizeable theatre show last night having just announced a May gig at Wembley Arena, the fact that the 32-year-old still shows no sign of having a hit over here is starting to seem less relevant.
"Thank you for robbing me of my freaky anonymity in the UK," he beamed to a crowd who seemed to know all the words. "We can mark off another country where I cannot visit adult bookstores."
What is it about Mayer's soulful contemporary rock that is taking so long to translate?
On recent fourth album Battle Studies he's not singing about baseball or fannypacks but about the joys of singledom (Perfectly Lonely) and marijuana (Who Says).
Singing with a slight Bryan Adams rasp that rose to a crisp falsetto during a surprise cover of the Jackson Five's I Want You Back, his own full back catalogue proved that delayed fame makes for a better setlist.
There was a shimmer worthy of U2's Edge on his guitar lines on Heartbreak Warfare, while he also handled loose funk on Vultures and acoustic pop on early track Why Georgia.
The solos rained down as the night wore on, especially during an epic Gravity.
Mayer displayed an affinity with his instrument that made it clear why he counts Eric Clapton among his jamming buddies.
But despite an armful of tattoos that hinted at a rock 'n' roll heart, he never really let himself go.
With boy band looks and real technical ability, on paper and over the pond Mayer has got it all.
It seems Britain is coming closer to deciding that we want it too.
27 May, Wembley Arena, (0870 060 0870). www.whatsonwembley.com.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (4)
I've been following John Mayer since I heard Room for Squares back in 2001 and have been going to his London gigs ever since.
January 18th at the Hammersmith Apollo in London was a blistering ride through John's four studio album catalogue as well as highlight covers from some of his favourites including the Jackson Five and Tom Petty. Highlights for me were the immense Gravity and, from his sophomore release Heavier Things, Bigger Than My Body
Monstrous jamming sessions with the world-class musicians he surrounds himself on stage with take his music to another level. But he remains one of the most amazing guitarists I've ever seen play live and a guitar virtuoso for our generation. He truly can shred like no other.
My only dislike of John and what he's become is his constant need for celebrity and engagement in celebrity culture, the Hollywood lifestyle and the blurring of lines between his music and what should be kept private. Some of his ranting during the gig lasted longer than necessary and covered areas I'd rather not associate with John Mayer the musician and leave unread in the pages of Us Weekly.
Will John make it big in the UK? I hope not for purely selfish reasons. I'd prefer to see him play at smaller venues and would prefer his music to not be overplayed on British radio.
- Kal, London, England, 21/01/2010 16:12
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he'll never make in the UK because he's a musician. Not an novelty act. Which we seem to like like over here. Well done in picking up on the tattoos all he needs now is a silly hat and he'll be a huge success.
- Al Stuart, ealing, 20/01/2010 21:48
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"But despite an armful of tattoos that hinted at a rock 'n' roll heart, he never really let himself go."
Apart from throwing TV's at the crowd, i'm not sure what else he could've added to that performance!
- Andy, Northampton, UK, 19/01/2010 18:23
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"But despite an armful of tattoos that hinted at a rock 'n' roll heart, he never really let himself go." Are you serious? What do you call his signing of autographs for those at the front, taking their pens and CDS and using them to play his guitar? Or his almost preacher-like exuberance during the finale? Or his witty banter with fans holding up signs? Or the fact that his face was beaming for 99.9% of the gig? This is one of the best concerts I have ever witnessed. Its so rare to come across such an accomplished musician and songwriter. John deserves every success.
- Ash, London, England, 19/01/2010 13:02
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