DeKALB | More than 7,000 screaming fans jittered with excitement and fervor to the sultry voice of John Mayer and his band at the Convocation Center Tuesday night.

A quiet murmur swept over the nearly full arena as fans waited for the headlining performance.

“There’s a lot of excitement in the building,” Selover said. “John Mayer is an act that people have wanted here since we’ve built the building.”

At 8:45 p.m., the Convo went dark and the quiet murmur erupted into an emphatic roar.

Fans leapt to their feet as Mayer, wearing a white collared shirt, ripped jeans and sneakers, entered the a colorful, digitally lit set.

Instead of simply coming on stage and sweeping fans off of their feet with his music alone, Mayer added funny quips and introductions between songs.

“You spend a lot of time bracing yourself for a fall that’s just not coming,” Mayer said before the song “Clarity.” “You know what I mean? Oh well, that’s why I write songs ­- because nobody knows what I mean when I talk.”

During a part in the show, Mayer stopped to acknowledge the signs people made for him and even answered them under the condition they would be brought down so people behind them could see.

“I’m stuck between a rock and hard place,” Mayer said. “I also care about the people behind the signs.”

In answer to signs requesting marriage and nudity, Mayer simply replied; “Sorry I can’t marry you, it’s just not legal. And no I will not get naked tonight.”

Many fans enjoyed Mayer’s sense of humor and said it brought a sense of uniqueness to the show.

“It was more than just music,” said NIU alumna Kristy Chikarishi. “It was entertaining as well.”

When Mayer played “Why Georgia” from “Room for Squares,” the entire crowd erupted in screams and cheers. At certain parts, the crowd sang in near-perfect harmony and could be heard over the instruments and even Mayer’s own voice.

Instead of lighters, blue lights emanating from cell phone screens littered the arena as people were using their latest technology to take a bit of John Mayer home.

“Normally after seven years, you’re not playing for this many people,” Mayer said. “Thank you for wanting to show up and investing in what’s going on.”

The final song of the set was a 12- to 13-minute rendition of “Gravity.” However, as rumors of Jessica Simpson’s presence swirled among fans, some people had their backs to the stage and were trying to catch a glimpse of the songstress who sat behind the sound board.

“Gravity” ended with a high-energy finale, leaving Mayer in a spotlight of red. Mayer’s performance left the fans breathless but wanting more.

As he left the stage, they roared and pounded on the floors until Mayer returned to the stage with just his acoustic guitar and another guitarist to play “Your Body is a Wonderland” and “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room.”

“Thank you for pulling us back,” Mayer said.

The show ended with the entire band coming back on stage for a high energy performance of “Bigger than My Body.”

Opener Mat Kearney also played a noteworthy performance.

At exactly 7:30 p.m., the lights shut off and the show’s opener, Mat Kearney took the stage to perform nine songs to a crowd still filing in from the traffic. He engaged the crowd with song that he claimed was written especially for Chicago.

“Meet me in Chicago, down by the waterline…” Kearney sang. During the same song, he switched the lyrics to say “Meet me in DeKalb…” and threw several shout-outs to the city of DeKalb and NIU.

Kearney performed to a seated crowd until his final song, “Nothing Left to Lose,” brought him a standing ovation.

“I liked it. He sounded good – like he does on his CD,” said freshman nursing major Haley Mansfield.

After the show, fans streamed out of their seats, raving about the show they had just seen.

“He’s a unique artist,” said Kristian McCullough, freshman business administration major at Kishwaukee College. “He sets himself apart from the rest.”