John Mayer – Xcel Energy Center – St. Paul MN – April 1st 2023

Live Nation and The Xcel Energy Center present John Mayer Solo Tour

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

Opening tonight was Joy Oladokun. A singer song writer from Arizona with three albums already under her belt. Her latest release will be coming out on April 28th titled Proof of Life. She had a short set of 4 songs that lasted around 35 minutes. She even did a cover of Rocket Man from Elton. She was very humble on stage and said she rehearsed a lot for the tour wondering how a single guitar and her could fill the room. She also got very personal before Sunday telling a story of coming out. She was a delight to open the show.

Now when you get a solo tour you never know what the show is gonna be like. John did an amazing show with just him, some guitars, a piano and a lot of excited fans up front. Now this show is for the die hard John Mayer fans. Playing with a band and doing acoustic is totally different. Sob Rock is his latest album that is a tribute to the eighties love sob songs. It was made during the lockdown. I knew when touring stopped we  were gonna get a ton of new music. I really love this album. He did give us four songs from the album also. Another thing John has been doing is touring with Dead & Company. I have not seen him yet in this role, but hoping to check it out this summer when they hit Wrigley Field in Chicago this summer. Anyway back to the show. He switched around from a chair and standing while playing an acoustic guitar. Now I think a show like this more for the die hards. Which seems to be almost everyone there. The setlist was huge and he plays a ton of songs. The stage also had a massive screen behind him so everyone could see even in the back. He also played some fantastic promo videos he did during his career. So if your not one hundred percent into him it can be a long show. He was great keeping the audience involved and making them a part of the show. The is one of the show where he make it look so easy, piano and guitar. If you love to watch a musician at his craft I suggest going to this show. If you just like John thats a great reason to go also. Plus check him out this summer with Dead & Co.

Setlist – Slow Dancing in a Burning Room – Shot in the Dark – Split Screen Sad – Blues Run the Game – Queen of California – Why Georgia – Daughters – Who Says – Last Train Home – In Your Atmosphere – In the Neighborhood – New Light – Your Gonna Live Forever In Me – Changing – Stop This Train – Waitin’ On the Day – Your Body is a Wonderland – In the Blood – Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967 – A Face to Call Home – If I Ever Get Around to Living – Edge of Desire – All I Want Is to Be With You – Free Fallin’