On the first date of his Battle Studies World Tour at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., John Mayer debuted a new concert configuration that relied more heavily on theatrical presentation than ever before.
After a vintage black-and-white-TV countdown was projected on a thin white curtain engulfing the stage, red and black-tinted video footage was shown of Mayer preparing to perform. With the first atmospheric, U2-esque chords of “Heartbreak Warfare,” the curtains opened to start the show.
Mayer did his best Eric Clapton impersonation with a performance of Cream’s take on the Robert Johnson classic, “Crossroads,” which was accompanied by psychedelic visuals on the giant screen behind him.
The set list was heavy on Battle Studies songs, but the audience was most animated during Mayer staples like “Bigger Than My Body” and “Why Georgia.” A jammed out, loose version of “Waiting On The World to Change” featured extended solos by most band members.
Mayer’s band has undergone a bit of a makeover: John Mayer Trio drummer Steve Jordan has replaced J. J. Johnson, the horn section is gone, and two background vocalists (Julie Delgado and Melanie Taylor) have been added.
Regardless of the changes, the band sounded tight: Drums were crisp and snappy, bass was appropriately thumpy, and guitar solos soared.
The most visually impressive moment was “Assassin,” which featured war schematics and sniper imagery onscreen, while the wild, morphing, chandelier-like lighting rig swirled colorful showers of light on the band.
Mayer closed the show with a lengthy rendition of his latest albums’ closer, “Friends, Lovers or Nothing.” The extended gospel outro to the song served as a suitable ending to the two-hour set.
Michael Franti and Spearhead opened for Mayer, bringing their brand of funky reggae rock to the show. Their one hour set included their hit single “Say Hey (I Love You),” as well as a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”
Here’s the set list for John Mayer’s show at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., on Feb. 4, 2010:
- Heartbreak Warfare
- Crossroads
- Vultures
- Perfectly Lonely
- Assassin
- Waiting On the World To Change
- All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye
- Half Of My Heart
- Bigger Than My Body
- Edge of Desire
- Why Georgia
- Gravity
Encore:
- Who Says
- Friends, Lovers or Nothing
Adrian Ruhi 
Lets not forget fleetwood mac’s “Dreams ” at the end of half of my heart !!!
This set list is AWESOME!!! Can’t wait for the 2/21; 2/25; 2/26 shows!
what time did the opening act come on and how long between him ending and john coming on?
I have to go late to the concer tomorrow in JAx and need to know how long I have. Thanks for posting the set list. Loved Continium in concert but not as thrilled with this album. I wish he was playing more of his older stuff. This album seems thrown together. Still good, just short and not as deep as his other work.
Saw him last nite in Tampa. Just great
Opening act started right at 8:00, played for an hour and it took about 40 minutes before Mayer started
Going to Mohegan Sun to see him tomorrow- 4th year seeing a JM concert. I liked his past albums more than this one, but it seems like it will still be a good show! Thanks for the review!
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