[All photos by Mike Wilson.]

There is something that comes over women as soon as John Mayer straps on a guitar. I have no idea what it is, as I am not a scientist or a psychiatrist, but I do know that it is nothing short of magical. When my mother realized she was not able to attend the concert she literally almost burst into tears. John Mayer's voice knows no bounds when it comes to captivating the female eardrums. Personally, I have been mesmerized by John Mayer and his musical stylings for the better part of my adult life (minus that whole Trio B.S. he pulled a few years back), so to say that I was excited to see the "Battle Studies Tour" at the St. Pete Times Forum this past Friday night, is an understatement of epic proportions. Let's talk about it, shall we?

Michael Franti and Spearhead opened the show, and I apologize in advance to all you hackey-sacking hippies, but I missed his set… a little due to rain-delay on the roads and a little due to personal choice. After hearing what a mess his collaboration with the Counting Crows was on their last tour (I know that this CL contributor liked it, but I didn't hear many/any other good things about that circus, sorry guys), I felt that the 10 minutes I could have spent watching him play that one song I kinda know*, would be better spent consuming overpriced beer. I cannot say whether or not I made the right decision but I am certain that there is a rabid Franti fan just waiting to tear me apart in the comments.**

The arena was a abuzz with estrogen and excitement. Some of these estrogen-having people brought signs, like posterboard, homemade, outside the TRL studios back in 1999 kind of signs. Some of them dragged their poor, sad and out-of-place, testosterone-filled significant others. Others just put on their best heels and sequined tops, got their sangria on pre-show and were ready to do some sca-ream-ing.

This article appears in Feb 3-9, 2010.