Clapton told Rolling Stone, “I do it because I want to hear these players. It’s a selfish thing, I can go to one place and hear all my favorite musicians.”  The festival will benefit Crossroads Centre, the addiction treatment facility on Antigua, a Caribbean island, founded by Clapton in the early 90s.

Tickets for the show go on sale on February 20th, and the all day guitar shred fest is expected to sell out quick.  Clapton will headline with his own band, and during previous festivals he has jammed with other acts onstage, which is sure to happen again.

The full list of confirmed acts:

Albert Lee
Allman Brothers Band
BB King
Bert Jansch
Buddy Guy
David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos
Doyle Bramhall II
Earl Klugh
Eric Clapton
Gary Clark Jr.
Hubert Sumlin
James Burton
Jeff Beck
Jimmie Vaughan
Joao Gilberto
Joe Bonamassa
John Mayer
Keb Mo
Pino Daniele
Robert Cray
Robert Randolph
Sheryl Crow
Sonny Landreth
Steve Winwood
Vince Gill
ZZ Top

Maggie Summers

currently listening to “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles

In the interview, Mayer said, “Someone asked me the other day, ‘What does it feel like now to have a hood pass?’And by the way, it’s sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a n—–r pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass?” Now that’s a class act.

He did feel bad about his comment, though, as he so sincerely Tweeted: “I am sorry that I used the [N-]word. I should have never said the word and I will never say it again.” He might say some idiotic things, but at least he plays nice afterward.

-Zack Kraimer

currently listening to “For the Love Of Ivy” by Gun Club

Arcade Fire has been very involved in supporting Haiti relief, as one of their members, Regine Chassagne, has family ties in the country.  Since the disaster, the band has asked fans to contribute money to Stand With Haiti on their official website.  And now the band has given the NFL permission to use their hit song “Wake Up” for charity ads that will run during the Super Bowl.  All of the licensing fees will benefit Partner’s In Heath’s Stand With Haiti relief efforts.

John Mayer is following Arcade Fire’s lead by contributing his 2006 hit “The Heart of Life” to the Red Cross for a series of television commercials and radio ads promoting relief efforts in Haiti.  He has also donated $500,000 to the Red Cross, and performed on Larry King’s “Haiti: How You Can Help” special, which raised $5.8 million for the Red Cross.

Maggie Summers

currently listening to “The Swell Season” by Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

With John Mayer concert tickets ranging from $35 to $75, not to mention the hefty and annoying “convenience charge,” the 33-year-old poster boy for the modern blues gave back to his fans and performed a free, impromptu concert for University of South Carolina students.

According to Rollingstone.com, Mayer and his tour crew had been rehearsing at a venue in town, and several of the students gathered around the venue to try to get a glimpse of Mayer.

Being the social networking fiend that he is, Mayer tweeted an invite saying, “USC students: come watch us run the show tonight. Free.” Over 400 people showed up for the show and not only were they treated to a full-fledged preview of Mayer’s 2-year Battle Studies world tour, but also witnessed the pyrotechnic and light displays as well as a live camera feed that projected the show across a huge screen.

A fansite for Mayer called Try JM posted the full setlist from the night’s performance.

“Heartbreak Warfare”

“Crossroads”

“Vultures”

“Perfectly Lonely”

“Assassin”

(Steve Jordan solo/jam—>)

“Waiting on the World to Change” ->

(keyboard solo -> jam )

“Half of My Heart” (with Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” interpolation)

“I Don’t Trust Myself”

“Say”

“Edge of Desire”

“Why Georgia”

“Gravity”

Encore:

“Who Says”

“Body is a Wonderland” (John and Robbie only)

“All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye”

Talk about right place, right time.

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: “Late Night Tip” by Three Six Mafia

John Mayer’s fourth studio album Battle Studies was released last week and with nearly 300,000 projected copy sales by this Sunday, November 22, Battle Studies is headed for the top spot on The Billboard 200 charts.

The heartbreak-infused album centers on all of Mayer’s very public failed relationships and exactly how he feels about his most recent love interest, Jennifer Anniston. He may not have a “Jennifer” titled track, but it is obvious that his unrequited love is a fresh, still open wound on Studies.

Mayer is a talented artist and a stand out when it comes to his clever lyrics and their ability to express emotion through a Facebook status of “Something’s Missing,” but Studies leaves something to be desired, which makes it surprising that it is topping Billboard charts.

The obvious broken-hearted nature in which Mayer wrote the tracks for Studies makes for a relatively uncreative album. The lyrics on 75% of the tracks are repetitive and don’t have the same impact as Mayer’s previous work on Heavier Things and Continuum. Though his airy, crooning vocals craft an easy listening, pleasant experience, Studies lacks Mayer’s typical depth.

It may be a name, or a symbol, that has sold Mayer’s newest album. But, with very few previews of Studies, it can be expected that Mayer fans are buying solely based on their love of his previous studio recordings.

Hopefully Studies won’t be a disappointment to all. It seems to keep Mayer happy and writing good music he needs a woman, some kiddies, and a stable relationship…otherwise we’re stuck with the repetitive wallowing in self pity found in Studies.

-Marie Baginski

Currently not listening to recently purchased Battle Studies

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com