John Mayer Honors Christchurch Victims At Tour Opener In Auckland & Adds San Francisco Show

John Mayer began an extensive 2019 world tour at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday night. Mayer started the show with a tribute to those killed and injured during a terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 15. In additional John Mayer news, the Connecticut native added a performance at San Francisco’s newest venue to his world tour.

The guitarist took the stage in Auckland with a kapa haka group for “How Great Thou Art,” a song traditionally sung at Māori (the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand) funerals. Mayer sang his part in English, while New Zealand’s own Bella Kalolo belted out the second portion of the tune in the Māori language of te reo. Then, a group of Māori performers pulled off a Kapa Haka, a line dance of sorts. “Thank you for coming out under such heavy circumstances, it means a lot to me,” John told the crowd as per the New Zealand Herald.

John Mayer mixed two full band sets with a four-song solo acoustic performance. The evening featured seven tunes from 2018’sThe Search For Everything as well as subsequent singles “New Light” and “I Guess I Just Feel Like.” A solo rendition of Beyoncé’s “XO” was the only cover performed. “No Such Thing,” “Daughters,” “Gravity” and “The Heart Of Life” were the classics that made the setlist in Auckland. Watch the show-opening segment captured by Lee Fowler:

Mayer will play the soon-to-open Chase Center in San Francisco on September 16. Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 29 at 10 a.m. PT via Ticketmaster.