John Mayer wrapped the primary leg of his solo acoustic tour Friday night time on the Kia Discussion board in Inglewood, Calif., and it certainly received’t be the final followers will hear from him.
Throughout a number of between-song moments on Friday night time, Mayer talked about how a lot the solo trek — which kicked off final month in Newark, N.J., and can choose again up with new dates in September — has reinvigorated his inventive drive. In reality, earlier than the tour, he questioned whether or not his profession as a solo artist could be behind him.
“I need to say one thing from the center earlier than I play this music,” Mayer informed the 17,000-person-plus crowd earlier than performing the yet-unreleased new music “Drifting,” which he’s been enjoying all through the monthlong tour. “I wrote this music possibly not being positive what my subsequent transfer was going to be as an artist. And as you become older and also you’re an artist, not that it doesn’t creep in ever, however it begins to creep in additional — this concept of like, ‘Nicely, possibly that was it. That was good. I’ll be cool if that’s it. Perhaps I’ll write songs for different folks.’ However that’s the voice. … And so I wrote a few songs which are very form of indicative of this concept that I’ll simply go anyplace else to see what’s up. I’ll see what’s gonna occur.
“So I’d say like six months in the past, I wasn’t positive what my subsequent transfer was,” he continued. “I wasn’t going to retire. I wasn’t going to disavow all these items. I simply didn’t know. It was numerous scratching my head like, ‘What’s the following factor?’ The purpose I’m attempting to make is: This tour modified all the things.”
He imagined the solo tour could be a self-indulgent one-off, throughout which he would play the songs he actually needed to play and never those that had been his most commercially profitable. Now, because of that fluid setlist, not solely can he think about what his subsequent album will likely be, he can image “the following three albums.”
“I assumed this was a neat little factor,” Mayer mentioned of the tour. “I used to be like, ‘Let’s go on tour and play acoustic, that’ll be enjoyable!’ After which all the things clicked. And due to you, you jogged my memory what these songs are to me, what they’re to you and centered me proper up. I don’t love giving recommendation, however I need you to take this residence: It doesn’t matter what you’re engaged on, should you’re working away and nothing’s coming of it, simply keep in mind that there are such a lot of different variables in life which are shifting, and daily you attempt the identical factor — one thing’s completely different about that day, and you’ll hit it. You’ll hit the factor that exhibits you the best way. That is that tour for me. I got here out right here and went: That is it. I simply need to say thanks very a lot. And it is a music about drifting.”
Mayer’s monologue led into “Drifting,” a not-yet-recorded music about leaning into the unknown and letting an aimless journey lead you in simply the appropriate course. “Making an attempt to put in writing a narrative however I’m caught on a web page/ God, it’s been so lengthy I can’t keep in mind my age/ I’m misplaced until the minute that I step on the stage/ ‘Trigger I’m drifting,” he sings on the rapid-fire bridge, referencing how he’s most comfy performing.
Perusing Mayer’s Billboard chart historical past, he solely performed two of his seven high 20 Billboard Scorching 100 hits on Friday night time — 2009’s “Who Says” and 2002’s “Your Physique Is a Wonderland” — as a substitute filling the setlist with non-singles, superfan favorites and a few selection covers (Beyoncé, Grateful Lifeless, Tom Petty). Principally, it was a free-flowing night time that permit Mayer change course on a dime (simultaneous shouted requests led to an impromptu efficiency of “3×5,” from his debut album Room for Squares) and it was clear he was having simply as a lot enjoyable as the gang was. Being alone additionally confirmed off simply how spectacular his musical expertise is, between a duet by himself on piano and electrical guitar and really filling up the world with sound because of his slapping acoustic-guitar expertise.
It’s no marvel he’s prolonged the tour, including 20 extra dates beginning Sept. 27 in Hollywood, Fla., in addition to a European leg in 2024. That is simply the tour each John and his followers wanted proper now.
Discover the complete setlist for Friday night time on the Kia Discussion board in Inglewood, Calif., under in addition to a fan recording of “Drifting” from the primary night time in Newark, N.J.:
Sluggish Dancing in a Burning Room
Heartbreak Warfare
Love on the Weekend (with “Cut up Display Disappointment” and Def Leppard’s “Hysteria blended in)
XO (Beyoncé cowl)
Neon
On the Approach Dwelling
Who Says
Final Practice Dwelling
One thing Like Olivia
Drifting
In You Environment (with “Wherever I Go” outro)
New Gentle
You’re Gonna Dwell Without end in Me
I Will Be Discovered (Misplaced at Sea)
Altering
Cease This Practice (with Simon & Garfunkel’s “Homeward Certain” outro)
The Age of Fear
Coated in Rain
Your Physique Is a Wonderland
3×5
Walt Grace’s Submarine Take a look at, January 1967
Buddy of the Satan (Grateful Lifeless cowl)
If I Ever Get Round to Dwelling (with Bon Jovi’s “Wished Lifeless or Alive” intro)
Fringe of Need
ENCORE
Born and Raised
Free Fallin’ (Tom Petty cowl)
