My Local Top 3: 8/1/10-8/7/10

You're going to have to wait for your good shows this week because it seems like the week will start to heat up towards the end (although I heard that Arcade Fire played a pretty mean show last night). The first week in August will bring straight Rawknroll to your soul with some tasty licks by some of today's best players.

Thursday 8/5
Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge, MA
Local Natives
We Barbarians

Right along side Dawes and Sleigh Bells are the Local Natives when mentioning the biggest breakout acts of 2010. The Natives back sweet CSNY harmonies with hard rock twang for a live show that has been received with great acclaim. Unfortunately, this show has been sold out for quite some time now, but if you are going, enjoy. If not, they will be returning to Boston at the Paradise in the fall.

Friday 8/6
Bank of America Pavilion, Boston, MA
Gov't Mule
Jackie Greene

One of the first show I ever went to was a Gov't Mule show and my interest has never waned. Mule's axe player Warren Haynes is one of the best and most versatile guitarist out there today, not to mention one of the friendliest and most charitable people in the jamband scene. On top of that, Jackie Greene continues to draw Dylan comparisons with his songsmith ways and easygoing feel. This will be a summer classic for sure!

Friday 8/6
Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA
John Mayer
Train

Lots of people hate on both these bands. I could personally give a rat's ass about Train, especially that song that keeps playing on commercials (although tell me you don't have a soft spot for "Drops of Jupiter" and I'll eat my hat). John Mayer, however, is too solid a talent to completely give up on. Despite his crappy pop tunes and mildly racist comments, the boy can play the geet as good as anyone out there today. If you go to this show, just hope for more "Who Did You Think I Was" and less "Who Says?"

Go see some local music this week,

Perry

John Mayer & Spearhead Tour

John Mayer will be out on the road again this winter hitting big arenas all across the country. Opening for Mayer on the tour is Michael Franti & Spearhead. Mayer will be touring in support of his upcoming album Battle Studies, which will be in stores later this month. It isn't specified as to what kind of band Mayer will be touring with. It's undeniable that the man is a great talent, but it is hard to tell when he's going to show up to play to hardcore blues fans or if he is going to play for the teenage pop fans. When Mayer wants to play, however, he can hang tough with the best of today's players. As for Franti, he makes great music and brings great energy, but there's only so many times you feel like responding to his signature, "How you feelin'!!!" If you want to see a future legend and you don't mind shelling out a little bit of cash, Mayer is your guy.

John Mayer and Michael Franti & Spearhead 2010 Tour Dates:
02/08/10 Mon North Charleston Coliseum Charleston, SC
02/09/10 Tue BJCC Arena Birmingham, AL
02/10/10 Wed Sommet Center Nashville, TN
02/12/10 Fri The Palace of Auburn Hills Auburn Hills, MI
02/13/10 Sat Air Canada Centre Toronto, ON
02/16/10 Tue Scotiabank Place Kanata, ON
02/17/10 Wed Bell Centre Montreal, QC
02/19/10 Fri Mohegan Sun Casino Uncasville, CT
02/20/10 Sat Verizon Center Washington, DC
02/21/10 Sun Wachovia Spectrum Philadelphia, PA
02/24/10 Wed TD BankNorth Garden Boston, MA
02/25/10 Thu Madison Square Garden New York, NY
02/28/10 Sun Van Andel Arena Grand Rapids, MI
03/01/10 Mon Bradley Center Milwaukee, WI
03/02/10 Tue Xcel Energy Center Saint Paul, MN
03/04/10 Thu Qwest Center Omaha, NE
03/05/10 Fri The Ford Center Oklahoma City, OK
03/06/10 Sat Toyota Center Houston, TX
03/08/10 Mon Frank Erwin Center Austin, TX
03/09/10 Tue American Airlines Center Dallas, TX
03/10/10 Wed New Orleans Arena New Orleans, LA
03/12/10 Fri Nationwide Arena Columbus, OH
03/13/10 Sat Freedom Hall Louisville, KY
03/15/10 Mon Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, NC
03/16/10 Tue John Paul Jones Arena Charlottesville, VA
03/17/10 Wed Philips Arena Atlanta, GA
03/19/10 Fri FedEx Forum Memphis, TN
03/20/10 Sat The Scottrade Center St. Louis, MO
03/22/10 Mon Sprint Center Kansas City, MO
03/23/10 Tue Pepsi Center Denver, CO
03/25/10 Thu Staples Center Los Angeles, CA
03/26/10 Fri HP Pavilion San Jose, CA
03/30/10 Tue Rose Garden Arena Portland, OR
03/31/10 Wed Key Arena Seattle, WA
04/01/10 Thu General Motors Place Vancouver, BC
04/03/10 Sat Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary, AB
04/04/10 Sun Rexall Place Edmonton, AB
04/06/10 Tue Credit Union Centre Saskatoon, SK
04/07/10 Wed MTS Centre Winnipeg, MB
04/08/10 Thu Fargodome Fargo, ND
04/10/10 Sat United Center Chicago, IL

www.johnmayer.com