globetrotting4mayer

[globetrotting4mayer]

To be or not to be a Deadhead

I'm back – well I haven't really left. I've just been doing other things… some JM related some not. In the next couple of poste I'll share some of my JM related adventures.

When it was announced that John Mayer was playing w. the Dead and doing a tour I was very excited. It's an honor to play with a legendary band like The Grateful Dead and also John is a big fan of the Dead and what can be more exciting than getting to play w. your heroes.

Ok I'm not going to lie - the fact that this Dead & Company adventure set the new John Mayer album on a hold is a bit annoying. Basically when you know there is new music out there and you have heard snippets of it from live performances over two years ago you are of course interested in hearing the final versions. What is it they say absence make the love that much stronger. Believe me John my love is STRONG!

I was raised on a great mix of genres and artists. The Beatles, The Who, Gasolin, Abba, The Rolling Stones, Kenny Rogers, The Supremes, David Bowie, Kim Larsen, Diana Ross, Cliff Richard, Madonna and Elvis all sounded from the speakers at the household. I knew of The Dead as a fan of music but my knowledge of them was pretty sparse as to nonexistent.

So personally I had never really listened to the Dead – I had heard a couple of the songs, that John had covered over the years. The Dead isn't really a big and established band in Europe – not like they are in the US. They haven’t played Europe in over 25 years so that fact that most people's response was "who are you seeing?" when I told them of my trip to CA for Christmas 2015 didn't really surprise me.

Let's face it in Europe John Mayer is more well know than the Dead and a household name, which will come to a surprise to some of you. I'm pretty sure if Dead & Company toured Europe there would be a greater number of JM fans there than GD fans as getting tickets to his shows here is already insane.

Since I was not able to go to the shows in NYC it was an easy decision going to the shows in CA. Even if it meant leaving friends and family at home for Christmas and NYE. I decided to do it without cramming on the music before. My thought was how often do you get the opportunity to go see a legendary band live without knowing most of the music first. When do you get to experience the music first hand with a first listen – NEVER really. A bold move some might say – an adventure I my book and perhaps a mistake.

The next couple of posts will be about my first experience w. the Dead through Dead & Company and also the next steps on my Globetrotting4Mayer adventure.

[globetrotting4mayer]

John Mayer – Ziggo DOME – 20th of June 2014

A “try to find the tape” show

There is a reason why Amsterdam was a perfect setting for the last show on the Born and Raised / Paradise Valley Tour – You do not get an audience who sings along anywhere else like the one in Amsterdam. If an artist is in need of an energy boost from the audience this place delivers.

As a Dane and as I’m very aware of the special bond and the amazing shows John always put’s on in Denmark it pains me a little to say that I honestly have never been to a John Mayer show, which was more energetic that the one at Ziggo Dome. On the other hand if you don’t like a sing-a-long FEST you should not go to a John Mayer show in Amsterdam. Because you get a Sold Out Ziggo Dome (17.000 people) singing along to everything. It’s not only the hits it is EVERY single song John starts playing and you have a choir singing their hearts out. I liked it - my voice very notably didn’t.

When John came on stage doing a little dance and started the concert off saying that normally a set list was made to give everyone a little something to fulfil their needs and to continue on stating that the set list tonight was made to make HIM happy – We all applauded and I just knew we were in for a night unlike any other.

The set list (http://instagram.com/sanbabymaybe) was something out of the ordinary. It is in my opinion the best set list of the 25 shows I’ve attended on this tour. I got every single song I wanted to hear (well except Clarity) most notably ‘Waiting on the Day,’ ‘Edge of Desire,’ ‘Walt Grace,’ ‘On the Way Home,’ ‘Dear Marie,’ ‘Find Another You’ and my favorite ‘Slow Dancing.’

As were discussed in the queue waiting for the show; the Danish music reviewers were not too impressed by the solos and improvs John did in both Tivoli and Odense, but if there is one thing the fans LOVE at the shows it is exactly that. Basically if you want to hear the studio version stay home and get the CD, vinyl out. The fans all mainly listen to the live versions as it is here the songs come to life.

If there is one song, which comes to life in a new way at every show it is ‘Slow Dancing’ and that song can never get too long – anything less than 7 min is too short and last night is was just the right length and just the right amount of improv <3

We got a beautiful and moving cover of John Prine’s ‘Angel of Montgomery.’ It was perfectly supported by Carlos and Tiffany. Very lovely. As well as ‘Dreaming w. a Broken Heart,’ which was originally not on the set list but added during the show. Bonus treat!

It was very clear to everyone that the ‘Traveling Band’ and John were having a great time on stage and that they were getting the most out of this last show. The laughs, smiles and fun jokes and references made during the show were great. I’ve seen them have fun before but that last night was just special in some way. If you take into account that after this tour John is headed to the studio and the dynamic team, which the ‘Traveling Band’ has notably become, will be altered forever - it makes sense why they gave it their all. We don’t know what will happen with the new album – if the new sound will demand a different band when the next tour starts. So it was very special to see them play together at Ziggo Dome one last time. I’m personally going to miss seeing them play live.  

When John and the band left the stage to prepare for the encore. I was overcome by emotion and out of my control tears started running down my cheeks. I felt so stupid standing there front row center crying uncontrollably and so happy that I was among friends, who felt the same way and who could give you that much needed hug. Honestly I just couldn’t believe that it was over. That there were no more shows in the near future to look forward to. I hadn’t prepared for that moment at all.

Going to the shows also means seeing friends from different countries and getting to spend time with them queuing. Yes we can do other things together - a tour is just the perfect reason for everyone to meet up. It’s been app. 2 years or so of planning and actually doing the Globetrotting4Mayer Tour. Traveling to and from America, around the States, around Europe and to Japan for the first time. Something I will always be happy I did – because I absolutely LOVE Japan. And now it is over… even as I write this I get sad again but I’m happy that it has been such an amazing experience. I’m so happy that I went ALL IN and did as many shows as I could and even more happy that I got a ticket to the last show at Ziggo Dome.

As my friend said ‘EPIC is not sufficient enough to describe this last show on the Tour.’

Thank you to Sean, Zane, Andy, Carlos, Doug, Aaron, Tiffany, Chad, Chris, Scott and that special guy called John for another great adventure. I look forward to seeing you again sometime in the future – until then we will always have Amsterdam.  

XO Sandra

[globetrotting4mayer]

John Mayer – Kongens Have - Odense – 18th of June 2014 (2)

The night John signed my prints…

In whichever way I look back at Odense it will for me always be the night John Mayer came over to me and signed my limited edition photo prints taken by Gari Lamar Askew II.

There is a special story about the prints I got my friends to go and get one of them when they were in NYC on their honeymoon (yep I have great friends.) Later the JMStore had a small amount of prints available and I got my hands on another print I really wanted. I've always said that I would wait to get them framed until I got John to sign them so they have been sitting there waiting until I got the chance and in Odense, Denmark I finally had and it happened J I can't tell you how happy I am that they are now signed and that I got them signed at a show and not bought them signed from the pop-up store in NYC.

Back to the show. Odense was a different type of show than the night before at Tivoli. It wasn't only that it started earlier and that there was an opening act. (I personally found the booking of Danish artist Rasmus Nøhr very strange, but the locals liked it so whatever works I guess.) It was the vibe about the place. I really enjoyed Tivoli so much more than I did Odense. It was just so much more intense in my book at Tivoli – much more personal.

That being said John was seriously funny at the show in Odense – We got a taste of the funny bone w. a 1 min message from girls to  ex-boyfriends from John Mayer. It's hilarious he ends up saying that "Guys you are on your fucking own!" But comes back later and gives them a message they could send to their ex-girlfriends as well. :-D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEpJslTzuyE

  Set list was not that different from what's been played before, but there was a different vibe to the concert in general, which made the songs differ from earlier shows.  

The audience was quite young at the front – from what I could hear a great deal of them were at a John Mayer show for the first time. I just love John Mayer Gig Virgins - because after the show you can see how most of them are bitten by the bug and you instantly know that they will be back for more. I was glad to see that the younger fans also enjoyed the new songs. We had talked w. them earlier and they pointed out that they mostly liked the old albums and things that were more bluesy. As expected it ended up with them enjoying the new songs in the live version. I know going to the live show will make them love the original albums as I do as well.

Welcome to the JM family guys….

(picture taken by my friend Laura)

[globetrotting4mayer]

John Mayer – Kongens Have - Odense – 18th of June 2014 (1)

May the odds be ever in your favor….

I arrived to Odense later than planned as I missed my train from Copenhagen - typical. Odense is a 1½ hour train ride from Copenhagen and a trip I’ve done numerous times before when I worked for a company based there. I quickly found my friends already queuing (as well as had a chance meet w. my cousin, who wasn’t going tho’.) They had been there since around 8 am and there were only 5 people at the gates when I got there about 2 hours later. All in all it was a very nice day – sun shining, just the right amount of wind and people were very chilled and then the shit hit the fan.

To make a long story short – the organizers didn’t open the gates at the same time or on time for that matter. The ticket scanners didn’t work. The run we had to do to get to the front was incredible long and not the same from the two gates – In other words you were out of luck if you choose (were sent to) the wrong gate.

Maybe if the managers had spent more than 15-2o min. briefing their event staff, getting ready and actually checked if the ticket scanners worked prior to the gates opening we would not have been in a situation where the people who waited the longest didn’t all make it to the front row. I personally busted my knee on the run and only made the front because I was cheeky and claimed my right to the front stating that I had been there all day.

Attending a show should not be like participating in the Hunger Games and it should be SAFE – the organizers at Konges Have failed in so many ways I’m surprised that they have actually done these events before. It was very unprofessional to say the least. If I had teenage kids I wouldn’t let them go to an event of theirs alone. I would let them  go to Roskilde, NorthSide etc. but not this.

[globetrotting4mayer]

John Mayer – TIVOLI, Copenhagen, Denmark – 17th of June 2014

'I LOV IT' ….

As most of you probably know by now I'm Danish and when I'm not out traveling and seeing bands around the world I live in the lovely city Copenhagen.

When I was young I used to work at Tivoli and I have always been a big supporter of the concerts held at Tivoli called 'Fredags Rock.' Last year Sting played a special show on 'Plænen.' But other artists and big bands have played there as well through the years and I've always had a dream of seeing John Mayer playing 'Plænen' at Tivoli. So for years I've written the people responsible for booking artists to please book John Mayer for a show there. Stating all kinds of arguments why it would be a great booking. In the beginning I didn't hear anything back when I wrote them, but after a few years I started getting a very polite response from the right people at Tivoli (= my messages were received.)

So you can imagine when it was announced that John would play Tivoli last year I was beside myself. I remember calling my friend, while she was a work (at TIvoli,) screaming on the phone (her answering service actually) that they had finally booked him. She thought I was very sweet but a little insane as well. I was more than excited when the show was SOLD OUT – because this meant that I had been right all along. That it was indeed a great booking for that specific venue. It was w. high expectations and in a nervous state as well I travelled to Tivoli early in the morning on the 17th of June 2014.

Until you have been to Tivoli for a show you don't know how magical it can be when everything just falls into place and how it can fail when it doesn't.  It is an amusement park in the center of Copenhagen. It opened in 1843 making it 171 years old. It is full of traditions and just a wonderful place to relax in the middle of a big city. That night when John stepped on to the stage at 'Plænen;' the weather was perfect, the sun was beautiful (and setting no less,) the lights glittered just as they should and John and the Traveling Band were on fire as was the audience. The screams I could hear from behind me were deafening. We were just so excited to welcome John 'home' to Copenhagen.

There were a few technical difficulties prior to the show, which resulted in the original set list being cut short (http://instagram.com/sanbabymaybe). Problem w. Tivoli is that due to it being in the middle of the city the curfew of midnight is ALWAYS held. I've never been so happy to see Rene work his magic and actually saving the day minutes before they started the show. The set list was great; 'Dear Marie,' 'Wildfire,' 'Get Around to Living,' 'Neon,' 'Slow Dancing' and 'Belief' were particularly special to me that night. Sadly we missed out of 'LA Song' and 'A face To Call Home.' Honestly I'm pretty sure no one felt like they did not get what they paid for. Have a look for yourself ;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8cwMPL1hJk

My friends from the UK, who had travelled over especially, and I were all on the front row and I made some new friends from Denmark and Sweden that night as well. The JM Family just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I was very happy to hear from my British friends, that they could see a difference in John and how his connection was w. the audience at Tivoli compared to the shows they had been to in the UK. I was beginning to feel like it was all in my imagination – but he really is so much more relaxed in Denmark and Amsterdam than he is other places I've seen him play.

John and the band were in a great mood – John signed 3 guitars and an ukulele (the latter got a little play on it as well to everyone's enjoyment). His solos were amazing and I could not have asked for a more perfect evening/night… thank you so much to Tivoli, to John and the Traveling Band for making my dream come true. Now we just need him to play Orange Stage at Roskilde – Do you hear me Roskilde!!??

PS: I LOV IT = TIVOLI spelled backwards.

[globetrotting4mayer]

John Mayer – GLOBEN, Stockholm, SWEDEN – 12th of June 2014

11 years of waiting was over….

Last time I went to see a band play Globen it was for U2 and that is somewhat of a different type of show than John's. It's been years since I took the trip to Stockholm to see a show, but when John finally announced that he would come back to Sweden after 11 years of not playing Sweden it was a no brainer. I simply had to see what he would have up his sleeve after such a long time.

My Swedish friends and I all met at the cancelled show at Forum, in Copenhagen in 2010. Needless to say it was a big disappointment when the show was cancelled after hours of queuing and if the queuing hadn't bonded our little group the cancellation sure did. We went to the Birthday show last year in Copenhagen as well and had a blast – celebrating. So it was natural for us all to go together and stay at my friend's apartment in Stockholm as a group for the show.

I was lucky when the tickets were put on sale and got a seat on the 2nd row. My friends were close behind me so even though we weren’t sitting together we could still see each other and meet up in the interval. Honestly Stockholm for me was more about friends and a reunion than anything else.

If John wasn't sure that he is popular and has a big fan base in Sweden the show on the 12th of June proved that he is and that he sure does.

It was a set list of all times favorites – my personal favorite that night was probably 'Free Falling,' which he played w. Doug. That and 'XO' are covers, where John's version surpasses the original and I say this with respect to the original artists. Other notable songs played that night were 'Speak For Me,' 'Slow Dancing,' 'Get Around to Living' as well as 'Dear Marie.' The latter holds a very special place in my heart ever since the Birthday Show in Copenhagen. So it was perfect that we got to hear it when we were almost all of us united in Stockholm.

I hope that John comes back to Sweden on the next tour as we want to do it all over again <3

  Pictures from the night as well as the set list can be seen on my Instagram http://instagram.com/sanbabymaybe/

[globetrotting4mayer]

John Mayer – The O2, London, UK – 9th of June 2014

'It's going to be a while before we see each other again - I'm taking some time off to do a new album!'

  …. Errr WHAT?? Say again….. This was probably the biggest news at the O2. The fact that the current European tour was going to be the final of the Born And Raised / Paradise Valley World Tour and that there was a new album on its way. John did announce in 2013 that there were going to be a new album in January 2014, which didn't happen so we all knew that he had new songs he wanted to get out there. (The release of the cover of XO doesn't really count, even though it's better than the original, does it?…)

It's been a while since Paradise Valley was released and it is a good time to get back into the studio – Get the ideas, which are plastered to his head as a Sudoku (his words at The 02 show not mine) on some tape and print a vinyl or two (I'm old school. I'm all for vinyl <3)  

The 02 is big – there is no question about the grandeur of the venue, but when John Mayer started his European Tour (2014) it didn't feel like it was that big. It felt like we were back at Wembley Arena, which holds a lot less that The 02. I think it has to do with the fact that we were a big group of friends there together hanging out. We were seated all over the place (thanks to the horrific ticket sales and a lack of fan club and presales), but we all met up prior and after the show in some way or the other.  

For me personally the O2 was more like a small reunion of friends meeting up as it was a large part of the original queue party of Brixton 2008 all gathered. Sam and Matt were missing, but I got to see Sam the day after at the Zane Carney show as well as the Clinic held at Martin Guitars before the gig. All in all it was a day of reunions and it was also the first show after I had gotten back to Europe from seeing them play Japan.

  One of the points John made on stage was that he was going to come back w. a new set list (new songs from the new album)… so speaking of set list it was GREAT – the room almost exploded when John played XO. I feel a connection with that song when John sings it and I listen to the words, which I admit never did before.

He did a great cover of Van Morrison's 'And It Stoned Me.' Other notable songs from the set list were 'I Don’t Trust myself,' 'Half of My Heat,' 'Edge of Desire,' 'Speak for Me,' 'Belief,' 'Dear Marie,' 'Slow Dancing' and 'In your Atmosphere' 'Why Georgia' was one of the last songs he did before the encore. For me it is just better in Atlanta –I love the song but ever since I went to Atlanta to see John play last year it's not really the same hearing it live anywhere else – even at a great venue like the O2.

  Considering I was row K I got some pretty amazing pictures that night. Probably one of the best pictures I've ever taken of John. Enjoy…

[globetrotting4mayer]

"In my heart stands a scarecrow"

The great thing about being on a Globetrotting4Mayer tour… is the fact that you because you are in different countries get to experience other artists as well as John Mayer.

Last night I was lucky to get to see John Fullbright preform live in London.

  John doesn't play my home country (well he hasn't as of now – who knows what the future will bring) and I've not be able to travel over when he's played other countries in Europe.

When I found out that he was playing last night I decided to start the Globetrotting4Mayer tour early and flew over last night to get to see him play Islington Assembly Hall. I knew it was going to be tight but I made it just in time and even managed to get a seat on the front row!

For those who are not familiar w. John Fullbright – he's from Oklahoma and has just released his 3rd album 'Songs.' He's an incredible talented lyricist and the fact that he's only 23 and can write like he does makes you wonder what kind of old soul is buried in there.

I was introduced to John by one of my best friends and honestly I feel like she did me a great favor. So I'm going to do the same for you – please let me introduce you to JOHN FULLBRIGHT and his new album 'Songs.' I also recommend listening to his second album 'From the Ground Up,' which is what caught my ears first :-)

http://www.johnfullbrightmusic.com/ 

[globetrotting4mayer]

"You'll be a bitch because you can".....

[globetrotting4mayer]

John Mayer - Nippon Budokan Day 2

First Impressions

There seemed to be quite a lot of foreigners here today compared to yesterday’s show. Quite a few Aussies and Americans all looking excited to be here but some also a bit confused about where to go. I know the feeling ;-) 

I got in to find that I was not 7th row i A5 but 5th row in A5, which is dead center. I was so excited and all smiles. 

I started chatting with my neighbors and it turned out one of them had a Danish friend living in Japan - kickboxing fighter called the ‘blue eyed samurai.’ Honestly I’ve never heard of him - but he looked fit and Errm … Anyway what are the odds. 

After the show

On my way to the show I had been listening to ‘Walt Grace’ thinking that it would be quite special if John would play that tonight - when a chair was put on stage mid through the set I had a feeling and YES we got a lovely version of ‘Walt Grace’…  That is after a long explanation of why he would appreciate it if we didn’t clap during his first song - and I can’t recall what song it was he covered - sorry.  It sounds dodgy, but it was actually really cool and people listened and let him play the songs with no clapping.

Believe me it was beautiful. No interruptions except from the Tokyo bit - where people got all excited and with reason. Who doesn’t like a song of a one man family, submarine ride to Tokyo 😉

He played a wild version of Gravity as well as Slow Dancing - the latter was different than last night. Still very cool and playful but different. Very energetic and tight. ‘Waiting on the Day’ - love that song it just says it all doesn’t it, YBIAW and ‘Vultures’ were also on the set-list. I know of quite a few people back home who will be envious now. I’ve never been a big YBIAW fan, but he sexed it up nicely tonight. It’s all in the moves as with Josh Homme - yummy! (Inside joke)

Honestly when I get to the third show - without a set list I tend to mix the days together. I get so into singing along to the songs and just enjoying the moment that I forget to write them down. 

But I was thinking about this during the gig tonight - with the exception of the few crowd pleasers being there both nights - although played differently each night - there were a wide variety of songs played at the two nights in Tokoyo as well as songs he rarely plays. So if you went both nights, as I did, well you got something special each night. He really did mix it up. 

We were back at solos tonight - Andy got a exceptionally nice one in… Zane, Aaron and Doug all had their time in the spotlight and it was obvious that they had fun doing so and they did a great job. The guys behind me were very impressed w. Aaron. When you hear ‘The Traveling Band’ (do we still call them that?) play it’s obvious that John has a high standard when choosing who he plays with. 

John actually mentioned the backdrop today to great joy for the people around me as well as did a little speech about playing on Martin guitars. Apparently there had been a meet and greet again tonight - I always find out too freaking late about these Meet and Greets!! It’s starting to drive me crazy.

Anyway we got another little guitar lesson…. And quite a lot of jokes and banter in both English and Japanese.  As you can probably detect I had an great night - I had an amazing seat, the people around me were lovely and John and the band killed it. I’m very happy I took Chad’s advice and just went for it when the tickets were put up for sale. What a great way to experience Japan 😊

[globetrotting4mayer]

John Mayer - Nippon Bodukan Tokyo Day 1

First impressions

As I walked up to the venue from the gardens - it was like it rose from the glittering sunset and the best way of describing the venue itself is impressive. I’ve never seen a venue quite like this before. 

I was met w. the normal non stop chatter and directions given by ushers in uniform and using megaphones. Clearly I had no clue what the directions were - but everyone else went as ordered and I somehow found my way through the right doors leading to the floor in the first go. 

As I got to the floor it was smaller than I thought it would be. It loos bigger on pictures and the layout also gives an impression of a bigger floor section in the venue. Lucky for me as I thought I was 25th row, which turned out to be 17th - how I could be this wrong beats me. 

The sections around the sides tho’ when they were filling up - let’s just say it was indeed SOLD OUT and there were a lot of people there. It’s looked so beautiful w. The new lights. I should have taken pictures… Will do that tonight.

After the show

I admit I was still very disappointed with John for the other night and that put a bit of a damper of my ability to enjoy the music in the beginning of the show - but to be fair the man was notably more on fire than in Osaka. He basically played his ass of - I don’t think I’ve seen him like this since Amsterdam Night 1 at Heineken Hall 2013, which is one of my favorite JM concerts to date. 

The band was more in the background. It was like it was John’s night. Aaron got his solo so did Zane, but the focus never really left John and the band worked together as an entity. It was beautiful and a joy to experience. It all just seemed to work and the audience were great at participating and clapping. Much more than in Osaka… Even the buzz was there. Sometimes they started a bit early - well who can blame them - they like me were excited to be there and experience it. 

About 5-6 songs into the set John finally won me over from being royally pissed off with him w. the epic start of Slow Dancing - I know - I know - you already started yeah yeah it’s your favorite song bla bla bla. SERIOUSLY listen guys he gave it his all and Aaron’s intro - no words. It was insane! It was playful and teasing and I couldn’t get enough. I so hope they make a Chiefs Choice out of that song because I want to hear it again and if not well I’ll always have Tokyo 😉

Other notable songs played; Neon (a request from the floor) during the acoustic set, Speak For Me (which was indeed lovely) and finishing off with a kick ass version of Gravity - where the older guys I front of me started doing air guitar. Nice to see people let loose like that. Waiting on the world and Who says were also a real crowd pleaser.

John spoke Japanese again and according to some very sweet guys next to me - he’s really good and funny. So much that he did banter during the show in Japanese while tuning the guitar. The guitar lesson we also got during the show were in English ;-) 

They were also super excited that the backdrop he’s using on the tour is inspired by traditional Japanese designs and that he’s wearing a kimono on the cover of the album. Honestly I like that backdrop so much better than the video wall he used in 2013 and the new lighting guy is doing a great job. It just works really great together. 

No set list guys - no need to be greedy. But I pretty sure that they will post one soon - an updated one as he went off it again last night.

Tonight will be my last show in Japan on the #Globetrotting4Mayer Tour - I’m in a center A section and I believe row 7. Finally a good seat! 

[globetrotting4mayer]

John Mayer - Osaka-Jo Hall

First impressions It’s about the same size venue as Oslo. Well some seats were not sold - so it’s probably a bit bigger if they were all open for sale. I have a feeling it has to do w. a restricted view. I’m just guessing here. It’s very quiet both going into the venue and inside the venue. As in anything else here in Japan people are very orderly and sorry to my friends in the UK - I know you think of yourself as masters of queuing - hell I think of myself as a bit of a queue expert. Japan beats you and me in queuing. They might not start early and queue all night like in Europe, but they have the whole thing down. There is an orderly queue for merch. You buy that outside the venue. There is one merch stand and that is where you get the merch. People line up very nicely - no pushing, no skipping - it’s absolutely perfect. Everyone is friendly. The countdown is on…. and people just clapped when they mentioned Johns name - that’s all I understood anyway 😉 I’m missing the buzz before a show… The excitement in the air is missing somehow. I’m guessing when John goes on soon that it will all change :-) After the show - I just rediscovered why I’m a John Mayer fan. It wasn’t like I didn’t feel like I was a fan or that I I had a doubt about John as an artist. It would be pretty idiotically to travel to Japan then!
Quite the contrary - I’ve just been going to so many amazing gigs lately and to be totally honest I’ve had some gigs w. other artists, which have been out of this world both during and after the show. So it was a pretty great feeling standing there and knowing that John can hit it out of the ballpark as well ;-) in a different way than the other shows, but he still can. It was sweet and quite fascinating to see and hear John speak Japanese during the show. From the look of the people around me they understood what he said, there was clapping and a general positive vibe when John had spoken Japanese. I understood something about not speaking so much Japanese or that’s what I thought he said :-D There was a huge respect for him in the crowd. Very few girl screamed ‘I LOOOOOVE YOU JOHN!’ compared to other shows I’ve been to (actually kind of nice). It was about the music and mainly about that and that’s why I’m here - for the music. John was in a playful mood and I got what I love - loads of guitar solos and jamming and a very cool cover of Eric Clapton. I’m pretty sure I haven’t heard that one before. 
 He basically played the songs I wanted to hear Slow Dancing (longest freaking jamming version ever ❤️,) Waiting on the Day, Edge of Desire and of course the very beautiful Dear Marie. 
(Full original set list is posted on my Instagram. He mixed it up a bit). It was especially interesting to hear how the songs have changed since I saw them played last at the O2, London. Like they have evolved to something a little different than before. There were plenty of solos from Zane (and it was his birthday today - HAPPY BIRTHDAY Zane!! the audience loved him and it). Also cool solos from Doug, Aaron and Andy. Andy impressed me he was like a cheering section behind the keys all on him own - getting people to clap and interact at all the right places. The man has a gift :-) Carlos, Tiffany and Sean were all smiles - it was great to see them having a good time on stage 😃 So here I am - waiting by the stage door. I’m doubting he will come out, but honestly Im here so why not wait with the locals. I might get lucky :-) —— update I wasn’t gave up after 2 1/2 hours ——— Next stop Tokyo Baby! Ps: I feel like walking over to the American guy standing not far from me calling John Mayer a douche to tell him to keep his mouth shut and actually challenge him on his opinion. On the other hand he looks pretty big and there is a group and I’m alone. I think I’ll leave it alone ;-)

[globetrotting4mayer]

"Who says I can't get stoned? Plan a trip to Japan alone...."

First sorry for the lack of updates since well since too long. Honestly I had to write a review of the last concert in Amsterdam and sadly it was probably one of the worst John Mayer experiences I've ever had. So it's been difficult to write it, which has resulted in me simply not writing it. Anyway I'll get to it and post it .... But what's going on now? Why am I back at writing on the Globetrotting4Mayer blog. Well I'm in Japan. I just landed and as I'm taking the train to Shibuya. I'm here for the 3 shows and I'm more than just a little excited :-) I had a feeling that John was going to do shows in Japan now that he was already in the 'neighborhood' so to say. I was already talking with my friends about going to Japan last year in Amsterdam and then again in London. Thing is I've always wanted to go to Japan and I've heard that John's shows are a very different experience in Japan. Thus when it was announced late last year that he was indeed doing two shows in April/May 2014 it was an easy decision really. I started out translating ticket sites and even contacted John's management at the time, as it was quite a task figuring out what the rules were - they referred me to Google Crome. It gave an overview but buying tickets for shows in Japan differ from buying tickets in Europe and the US. You need to write your name in Japanese (?),have an address in Japan (nope), there is a lottery for tickets and this allocates the seats your in (=in other words you chance it) or you can get your tickets through 3rd party sellers after the seats are allocated. These tickets are more expensive the better the seats are. I ended up using a ticket broker - Japan Concert tickets. They assisted me in any way they could and ended up being quite involved when I finally ended up w. a decent ticket for the 3rd show. Because yes a 3rd show was announced early 2014. They ordered the ticket for me straight away. Life was good!!! When finally after months of waiting I was allocated my seats for the first two shows; In Osaka I will be 17th row and in Tokyo I'm 25th :-/ needles to say I was a bit disappointed. I even thought about upgrading my ticket - thus getting a more expensive one from a 3rd party seller and trying to sell my own. It would have cost me about 3 times the ticket value. Yikes!!! Money I would rather spend in Tokyo or on other shows to be honest. When I received my ticket for the last show in Tokyo. I was glad I didn't upgrade as I was 7th row center. Great way to end of the tour in Japan!! It brings me to now - sitting at a Starbucks (not very Japanese of me) ohhhhhh I went exploring before I finished the blog.... The Starbucks is overlooking the hustle and bustle of the people in front of Shibuya train station in Tokyo - which can possible only be described as touristy. But hey for once I'm actually a tourist on one of the #Globetrotting4Mayer tours - I can't speak or understand the language. Read the letters as they are signs. And I actually need a map or ten to figure out where I am ;-) Thanks for reading and sharing in my adventure...

[globetrotting4mayer]

Amsterdam - Heineken Music Hall / Day 1- The night John decided to go off the set list ....

Queuing all day had resulted in a spot on the front row with my new friends :-) We had the spot we wanted and spirits were high all around. The people around us were super cool and very sweet – a real pleasure to share the front row w. this group. The shows at Heineken Music Hall has always been talked about as something very special and people say that John is on fire at the shows there. So it was with high expectations I stood with the group waiting for John and the Traveling Band to step onto the stage.

As soon as John was on the stage the floor exploded. They all seemed in a particularly good mood and also a bit loose and relaxed. It was looking like the night was going to be as cool as a show in Copenhagen. In other words a show just like I like them! As John and the Traveling band started playing something was off. It wasn't super obvious, but you could see that John was working on something as he was playing and sure enough after having played for a while it was clear that there were technical issues with the guitars. It wasn't working like he wanted it to. I've never seen this as a John Mayer show. Considering how many shows I've been to – it was bound to happen.

They decided to take a break w. The comment "we will make it up to you" and "When this happens you know you're going to get a great show afterwards" and let's just say they made it up to us. They came back and played their asses off.

Personally I was happy to hear 'Slow Dancing' (no surprise there LOL!). Honestly it wasn't as great as the version he did at Ziggo Dome the night before, but it wasn't bad either. I think I was still high from the night before…. We also got to hear 'Neon,' 'Gravity,' 'Dear Marie' as well as a 'Free Falling' with the full band and not somewhat 'acoustic' like the last couple of shows. 'Free Falling' was one of the songs requested from the audience. Yep you read correctly John was taking requests and almost everyone got what they wanted <3 He basically went off the set list – so the one I posted on my Instagram. It's not what he ended up playing …

My favorite part was when John dropped down in front of me and played Gravity on the floor. That was a first – being front row and actually being able to see him play on the floor and that close. I think I took about 80-100 pictures of him playing Gravity that night. And they are pretty much all great. Must admit when he dropped the guitar to the floor - I was partly worried for the guitar and partly excited of the thought that this was happening or about to.

It is not a lie – John Mayer at Heineken Music Hall is a special experience and I could not give the show any less than 6 Hoptimister. So 6 Hoptimister to the 12th John Mayer show on the Globetrotting4Mayer Tour. Speaking off the Hoptimist is still not visible on stage – so I asked Chad about it after the show… wonder if it will be there tomorrow? Aigh tomorrow … I can't believe I get to do this again tomorrow! Now some sleep before I fall over. Who cares about the bed bugs…zzzzzzz

[globetrotting4mayer]

Amsterdam - Just say NO to the Waffle!

From I arrived in Amsterdam I had tried to figure out what time people start queuing in Holland. I basically asked everyone from people at the airport, at bars, at the hotel to Starbucks Baristas. Everyone said to be there just a couple of hours before. I was pretty sure that wasn't quite right - which was affirmed when I asked some people at Starbucks - "so who are you seeing?" Me: "John Mayer" them in unison: "Ohh!! Get there early!!" They said it with a knowing look and I at that point decided that I needed to be there early.  

I had planned to leave around 8 am, which in Denmark would have been on the late side. Things didn't go as planned and I got the venue at 10 am and was 8th in line. Score!!

There was no system. The Security didn't come out and talk to people during the day. I actually ended up missing the Security in Denmark and the order that we have when queuing. They work w. the fans and make sure that the people who's been queuing all day actually get front row.  

It was a cool group waiting outside the venue and we quickly made a pact to try and get our group to the front row. Take care of each other so to say and watch our space so we could go to the toilet as well as get something to eat during the day.

Apart from getting some work calls during the day (?). The day went quite quick with loads of chatting, meeting new cool friends and trying to eat just right to stay fresh for the show and not have to pee. Though not so much that you have to go to close to the doors open. This sadly includes waffles :-( It's an art I tell you!

.....written in the queue outside the Heineken Music Hall - Day 1 of 2.

[globetrotting4mayer]

Amsterdam - Ziggo Dome - A night of greats...

As a venue it resembles Spektrum in Oslo quite a lot. Just longer. It's modern and comfortable. It's easy to get to and from – and literally a short tram/train ride from the City and it was Sold Out!! I love it when a show is Sold Out :-) You just know that it's going to be a great evening…

My seat - could have been better and a lot worse for that matter. I now know why the woman from ticketmaster laughed at me when I asked if it was a good seat. Because I was lucky to be on the floor and in section A for sure. People tried sneaking up to my section to sit with friends and were turned away. They also tried standing to the sides and it worked fine when Gabrielle Aplin was playing but when John came on they were all told to go to their seats.  

The people around me were very friendly and courteous. No one really talked to me as I didn't talk Dutch – I did try in English, but maybe they were just shy or didn't want to chat between the two shows :-) Once again it was a seated show. I'm not sure but is there is an unspoken rule that you stay seated at these things? People were very responsive and there was no doubt that there was a deep love and admiration for John, but even after the ABSOLUTE BEST SLOW DANCING to date (I know I've said that before, but OMG!!!! There are no words as  to how amazing this version was) very few people stood up to applaud – well that is other than me. I was the only one standing in my section. I just don't get it...?!?

Now I've opened it up - the set list - apart from a seriously INSAINE version of Slow Dancing (yes I will never stop talking about this) - every song I love from the 'Paradise Valley' album was played tonight. Every single one and they all did it superbly. Not to mention the covers John did of songs by Bob Dylan, the Grateful Death and J.J. Cale - the latter 'The Breeze' is on the 'Paradise Valley' album.

John made a long speech about not being able to write as good songs as the greats. I have to disagree. He does write as good as them – John is a great artist and songwriter. It's just a different time and place and the songs are different. Still it's pretty awesome to get to hear John play these– because they are really great songs.

It wouldn't have been right not to have played 'Who Says' - it being Amsterdam and all so he did. It will be interesting to hear what he's playing tomorrow at Heineken Music Hall. From what I've heard about shows there they tend to be pretty wild. Just up my alley. I have high expectations for tomorrows crowd – please don't disappoint me guys!

I've posted the setlist on my Instagram - so you can see it in it's entirety there.

Most of the band members got some extra room tonight as well. It's like there has been a change in the way John and the Traveling Band plays together on the tour. The different members get more and more room to play and show off their skills the longer we get into the tour. I so wish I could go see a few shows when they do the Winter Shows in November and December – it will be really interesting to see if there has been another shift.

5 Hoptimister from me to the 11th John Mayer show on the Globetrotting4Mayer Tour at the Ziggo Dome. The Hoptimist is still not visible on stage. I need to ask someone about this tomorrow… did it fall of the Tour bus?

Written on the train/tram from the venue to the hostel (a hostel w. bedbugs btw. yeah I'm traveling in style baby).

[globetrotting4mayer]

Pictures from the O2 posted earlier on Instagram @Sanbabymaybe