UAE music fans are in for a special night as John Mayer takes the stage at Saadiyat Nights, Abu Dhabi, on February 15. The seven-time Grammy Award winner will perform some of his biggest hits alongside fan-favourite deep cuts, bringing his signature blend of blues guitar, acoustic storytelling and live improvisation to the capital.

Over a career spanning more than two decades, Mayer has carved out a rare space in modern music. He’s a chart-topping pop star, a blues guitarist respected by legends like B.B. King and Eric Clapton, and a songwriter whose lyrics have soundtracked millions of lives. With over 20 million albums sold worldwide, his influence is undeniable.

Fans can expect a setlist that moves effortlessly between acoustic vulnerability and soaring guitar solos. From early hits such as Your Body Is a Wonderland and Daughters to live favourites like Gravity and Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, Mayer’s concerts are known for feeling personal, powerful and unpredictable.

From bedroom guitarist to global icon

Mayer’s journey began in Connecticut, where he picked up a guitar at 13, inspired by blues greats like Stevie Ray Vaughan, and, famously, Michael J. Fox’s guitar scene in Back to the Future. After briefly studying at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, he went all in on music, landing his big break at South by Southwest in 2000.

His debut album, Room for Squares (2001), went multi-platinum and earned him his first Grammy. Success followed quickly, with subsequent albums topping the charts and cementing his status as one of the most accomplished guitarists of his generation.

Mayer has collaborated with artists including Kanye West, Common and Frank Ocean, and continues to tour as part of Dead & Company, carrying forward the legacy of the Grateful Dead.

A rare UAE performance

Set against the stunning backdrop of Saadiyat Island, Mayer’s Abu Dhabi show offers UAE fans a rare chance to see one of modern music’s most respected live performers up close. Whether you’ve been listening since the early 2000s or discovered his music more recently, this is a concert that promises depth, musicianship and emotion.

Concert Details

Where: Saadiyat Nights, Abu Dhabi
When: February 15
Tickets: Starting at Dhs295, available via ticketmaster.ae