John Mayer partnerships

Photo Credit: Terminal 14 by Beyon

John Mayer is signing lots of deals in time for Christmas, including a collaboration with Neural DSP and an opening gig at a new Bahrain venue.

Just in time for Christmas, John Mayer has two major announcements—neither of which has anything to do with the holiday season, really. He’s been officially announced as the first international performance at Terminal 4 by Beyon, a new 3,500-seat music and entertainment venue at Exhibition World Bahrain, in 2026. The artist has also co-developed Archetype: John Mayer X, a new plugin series from audio equipment manufacturer Neural DSP.

Designed by rising star architect Marwan Lockman at SL Architects—who also created the 10,000-seat Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre where Metallica recently performed—the new Terminal 4 auditorium boasts state-of-the-art acoustics engineered for live performance.

The venue’s creators aim to accommodate a broad spectrum of programming, including international concerts, comedy productions, sports, and large-scale theatrical performances. Terminal 4 is part of an ambitious expansion of world-class entertainment in Bahrain.

“Terminal 4 is the ideal capacity for Bahrain to grow as an international promoter,” said Lance Tobin, Vice President of Talent at Beyon Group. “We carefully studied the needs of world-renowned artists, and together with SL Architects, designed a room we will be proud of for years to come. We’re excited to debut with John Mayer next year, and more shows planned to announce soon.”

“I designed this space as a companion to Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre; the simple lines, colors, and textures mirror that of the outdoor stadium in an indoor setting, and we’ve given the same care and attention to crew facilities and backroom space, to ensure every performer has the best possible experience when they come for a show,” said Marwan Lockman, Principle Architect at SL Architects.

Meanwhile, audio equipment manufacturer and software developer Neural DSP has announced a collaboration with John Mayer in the form of their latest in their Archetype plugin series, John Mayer X.

Co-developed with John and modeled from his personal amplifiers, effects, and signal chain, the plugin “delivers an authentic foundation for the unmistakable tone that defines his work—and has defined a generation.” The plugin promises an unprecedented way to experience the tone, dynamics, and expressiveness behind his most influential guitar recordings.

“John’s sound has inspired guitarists around the world, and it was a privilege to work with him directly to recreate the rig that anchors his tone,” said Douglas Castro, CEO and co-founder of Neural DSP. “There is an intimacy to the way his rig responds—it breathes, it opens up, it carries emotion—and capturing that behavior was one of the most meaningful projects we’ve taken on.”

Archetype: John Mayer X is designed as a “studio-ready extension” of the artist’s sonic identity. The plugin includes three standalone amps modeled directly from Mayer’s personal units: his 1964 Fender Vibroverb, his revered Dumble Steel String Singer #002, and his unique Two-Rock prototype Signature #83.

Each amp was captured at an exceptional level of detail to preserve its headroom, responsiveness, and harmonic structure, exactly as Mayer uses them. The plugin also introduces a Three-in-One Amp, a recreation of John’s blended amplifier configuration used in both studio and live environments.

“John’s tone comes from a chain of choices made over the years of playing and recording,” Castro explained. “We preserved those choices so players can begin where he begins—with a sound that feels settled, expressive, and familiar—and then make it their own.”

Archetype: John Mayer X is available for €199 including taxes, with a 14-day free trial.