Coming up for fresh air

Guitar hero? Bluesman? Tabloid Romeo? (How could he break Jessica’s heart like that?) Singer-songwriter with a social conscience? John Mayer is a bit of all of the above, and although he’s taken his critical lumps, the singer-guitarist has become one of mainstream rock’s most popular performers, pulling in big audiences and earning respect from his peers, if Grammy nominations are any indication. His summer tour, with Ben Folds also on the bill, has just started, but it reaches an early high point with two nights under -- and no doubt in front of -- the Hollywood stars.

John Mayer, Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., L.A.. 7 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. $35.50 to $85.50. (323) 850-2000.