The Islanders shocking fall from contention this season was the music-booking side of their home venue’s gain. No hyper-local playoff Hockey could distract UBS Arena’s alternative purpose taking center-stage as the main event this past rainy Mother’s Day eve. And with transportation accommodations for concertgoers you wouldn’t believe.
Due to the obligatory weekend shutdown for all trains headed the way of the Elmont-located station, John Mayer fans on the Island and off could flock to the “Sob Rock” show via Queens Village, then quickly audible over to their final destination with coach buses provided to and from.
It was the place to be Saturday night, with endless bars and eatery options around the circumference of the venue’s modern concourse upon arrival. Footlong Hot Dogs and smaller-sized, but nevertheless delicious Sausage and Pepper heroes were enjoyed by all those smart enough to take advantage before the mad rush of Mayer fans converged onto the uncrowded (until it was) scene.
The pre-show buzz left the lingeringly post-COVID weary devoid of all anxieties. In fact, high energy arrived unexpectedly around the 8:00 mark during the culmination of the opening act’s performance.
Alexander 23 had just sung his heart out in ways that left him drawing some comparisons to Chris Martin of Coldplay, per the impression of the “bloody nose” section-seated early bird arrivals.
Just when it was presumed Alexander 23 was fading off into the backstage-lands, he and his backing outfit all but blew the roof off the place with their rendition of Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” It wasn’t just a cover; they made it their own. Kudos to a one-man band on the rise.
When the man of the ultimate hour arrived, he kicked off his set with “Last Train Home,” a leading hit from his 2021 album, Sob Rock, that represented a return to his breakout Room for Squares (2001) lovelorn twentysomething sounds and sensibilities.
Now 44, the on-again/off-again celebrity gossip-embroiled entity has spent the bulk of his delay-plagued tour – this specific show was eventually slated for early March – getting back to basics. For him, this means reminding the mainstream-engaged to commend your heroes when you have the platform to. A student of the guitar-slinging school of Jimi Hendrix, he weaves in acoustically focused beats to break-up “Your Body is a Wonderland” and “Gravity” radio fodder.
On Saturday, he even paid homage to Simon & Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound” during the outro of “Stop this Train.” Apropos, considering how the night started for the headliner and the fans who turned out to see him alike.