http://citizensvoice.com/...hits-and-covers-1.902242

John Mayer descended upon Montage Mountain Saturday, bringing with him a revved up band that played to a hyped and screaming crowd.

The popular Mayer belted out a slew of hits and covers, including "Perfectly Lonely," "Clarity," a cover of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine," and "Who Says."

The crowd stood throughout Mayer's performance and a mammoth video screen projected various images behind the singer. It was the kind of performance that one would expect from a personality that seems to thrive on self-assuredness like Mayer. But he uncharacteristically displayed his humble side, thanking the crowd while acknowledging how slumping ticket sales have hampered this year's concert scene.

Workers again strolled the pavilion offering $10 tickets to next month's Goo Goo Dolls performance. Earlier this week, Live Nation announced it would be offering special $10 discounts to more than 60 of its shows this summer, including at the Toyota Pavilion, because of slow ticket sales that lagged about 17 percent behind last year.

That, and the blocks of empty seats perhaps is what led Mayer to say: "People have had a hard time touring these days. It's hard getting people in the seats.

"We're going to give you as much music as you want to hear," he said. "We want to say thank you."

The rocker then proceeded to belt out several more hits, leaving the audience applauding for an encore.

Not to be outdone by the headliner, opening act Train rocked the crowd, pulling out a repertoire that included the popular "Soul Sister," "Meet Virginia," and "I Got You."

Erie native and lead singer Pat Monahan bought the crowd to its collective feet as he crooned "Marry Me," while making a long trek around the Toyota Pavilion changing his T-shirt before finally proclaiming "Now that we're married, let's have our first dance."

sbrown@timesshamrock.com