On the This Side tour of 2002 and 2003 , Nickel Creek played shows as the main act for the most part , but also opened five shows for John Mayer in November 2002 in Upstate New York and New England , and played with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings earlier in the year . During the 2002 and 2003 This Side tour , Nickel Creek performed mainly as a headlining act , but also opened five shows for John Mayer in November 2002 in Upstate New York and New England , and toured with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings earlier in the year .