[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.

John Mayer and his band of mismatched musicians, including one dude who was probably 60 years old and rocking a Tommy Bahama button-up, hit the stage performing the opening track off Mayer's new album, Battle Studies, "Heartbreak Warfare." John -- yes I am using his first name as if we are friends, so just deal with it -- was looking adorable as usual, with a snazzy Jason Priestely circa 90210 hairdo and a sexy too-tight jacketty thing. At some point, he removed the jacket, to the delight of those screaming ladies in the crowd, revealing some sort of boat-neck tee with a tank underneath. It's cool to know we could share clothes but it looked a wee bit too similar to my own. (I still heart you John; maybe just stick with crew necks.)

I have seen Mr. Mayer, the Master of Guitaring Hottness, a few times and I think the most endearing part of his live show is his rapport with the audience. He is really a funny guy who knows how to personally connect with an arena full of faceless fans. I

don't say that just because I love him and want to bear his little chord-strumming babies. He really does have great comedic value; follow his tweets, you will GOL*** I promise. Sadly, he didn't seem to get into his funnyman comfort zone until about halfway through the set, when he started to actually, you know, talk to his adoring public. But when he did talk, it was worth every second we had to sit through "Bigger Than My Body." See, there was a lovely and desperate girl in the front row who brought one of those aforementioned signs, which read "Mayer, I am your Joshua Tree. Please sign me." (Check out my take on the Rolling Stone article for the reference). John launched into a very Mayer-esque diatribe about the article, his slight regret about that particular arborly-vajayjay comment and the hoards women who have responded to it by creating "Joshua Tree tourist boards for their own sites." Get it? He's so clever and handsome *sigh/swoon.*

The rest of the show was pretty much exactly as I had imagined it would be. John sang and strummed and sang some more and made me giggle a bit. The teenage girls behind us screeched as if being murdered by a giant John Mayer-shaped knife. The lights were super-cool and the fog was even cooler and then there was this mosquito net around the stage for video projections during the encore that probably made every techy-guy in the house okay with the entire evening and we all left happy, even though I lost my umbrella. (If you found a red gingham umbrella in the St. Pete Times Forum on Saturday night, could you kindly return it to me? Thanks so much.)

I enjoyed everything about the concert, but if I had to give Johnny-boy a little critique I'd say that my great disappointment was the lack of material off Continuum, an album that even John knows is his best work. AND, I specifically asked him to play "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" via Twitter. How could he do this to me and so blatantly disregard my request!? (Insert Amanda making a sad face here.) Wait, I'm sorry John, I can't stay mad at you, what with those weird faces you make when you sing and your quaff of hair I want to run my fingers through and mess up just a tad. Let's kiss and make up? Next time you're in town? OK, fabulous, see you then.

*I am certain that all jam bands play each song for 10 minutes.

**Bring. It. On.

***Stands for "Giggle Out Loud." I am starting a new trend. Help me out, k?

[gallery=91]

Follow Amanda on Twitter, @MandaAnn and keep up with all your pop-culturely needs with @AltDotPop.