Mazsays : Maroon 5 @ London Brixton Academy (18/02/2011)

Maroon 5, from Los Angeles, California, were formed in 1992. Under the name Kara’s Flowers, they released an album in 1996, named ‘The Fourth World’, but as it only sold 5,000 copies, the band parted in 1998. Their first album under the name Maroon 5, ‘Songs About Jane’, was released in June of 2002, and peaked at number one in both the UK and the US. Their fan base spread across the world, triggering a sold-out show at London’s Wembley Arena in 2007, and although their most recent show was held in a smaller venue, Maroon 5 still played to a full house of passionate fans.

Extensively touring on ‘Songs About Jane’ from 2003-2005 allowed the band to release two live albums, and win two Grammy Awards for their efforts. Despite the departure of original drummer Ryan Dusick due to tour-sustained injuries, Maroon 5 soldiered on with the help of Matt Flynn in tow. Second album ‘It Won’t Be Soon Before Long’ was released in 2007 with a ‘sexier and stronger’ sound with groundbreaking influences from the likes of Prince and Michael Jackson. Third album ‘Hands All Over’, on sale from September 2010 sold 500,000 copies worldwide and marked Maroon 5’s individual stamp on the music industry. With a perfect blend of sex, love and heartbreak, with both upbeat and ballad-based tracks, Maroon 5 are infectious in their profoundness.

Support act Sara Bareilles, often referred to as the one-hit-wonder credited for ‘Love Song’, played almost an hour set, allowing listeners to get to grips with her music. She proved her strength as an artist and a performer. With Maroon 5’s fans being somewhat diverse, it was unchallenging to attain a decent spot in the crowd, which also made the atmosphere chilled and blissful. The acoustics of Brixton Academy are indescribable. Every note can be heeded as if every member of the crowd is on the front row. Bareilles’ captivating vocals rapidly acquired the attention of the multitude. It was specifically the belting of ‘Love Song’, a dazzling cover of Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’, and a cover of Cee-Loo Green’s monster hit ‘Forget You’ that really brought the house down. She is a polished and well-produced artist, who cannot be technically criticised.

Following positive reviews of their latest album, and humbling successes of those before, fans waited with baited breath for an incredible set, and it is safe to say, they certainly got what they wanted. There was an ideal combination of performance and encouragement from the boys as they played one of the best sets I have ever been lucky enough to experience. Maroon 5’s stage arrangements were rather simplistic, but their music abilities being propelled on stage more than made up for that! The crowd’s energy was immeasurable, as was the crave for a glimpse of frontman Adam Levine. Opening with latest single ‘Misery’ it was clear this show would be unlike any other. Each band member was note perfect, but the sound was poles apart from the record in an overwhelming way.

‘If I Never See Your Face Again’, ‘Harder To Breathe’ and ‘Hands All Over’ followed without interruption, illustrating the awesome blend of old and new tracks, and a portrayal of the incredible performances that were still to come. Although each track is so varied, by the time Levine introduced himself and the rest of Maroon 5 to the 4921 people in front of him, I was already charmed and transfixed. Title track from the band’s latest album ‘Hands All Over’ is a lose, punchy, rock-driven wrapped up by the unique and breath-taking tones of Levine.

Two songs from the quintet’s debut complication ‘Songs About Jane’ exposing how the band have remained incredibly distinctive, but also varied their style and retained masses of fans all over the world. ‘The Sun’ and ‘Secret’ were astounding and exhibited how hybrid yet original the band are, as well as how they have developed independently as musicians, to produce music that is nothing short of fantastic. The set list had clearly been carefully decided in order to keep old and new fans alike in high spirits, and although each show a band execute is for promotional purposes, arguably, Maroon 5 did not play enough tracks from their new album. However, as each track on each album is charming in its own way, a perfect set list for Maroon 5 is impossible to muster.

The band’s cultivated musical skill were exquisitely projected through ‘I Won’t Go Home Without You’ and Adam Levine’s instrument diversity was obvious during an astounding cover of Alicia Keys’ ‘If I Ain’t Got You’. Additionally, the group’s passion and talent are remarkable, and their humility is something that can only be praised as well. ‘She Will Be Loved’ is Maroon 5’s token tear-jerker, and it did nothing but that when the crowd joined together with the band to screech every syllable of the song, enough to shatter the wall of the Academy. Tenth track ‘Wake Up Call’ seemed to utilise every scrap of adroitness from the band, and actually appeared to present how energetic they are. ‘Shiver’ and ‘Stutter’ portrayed the band’s positive progression and development from their first to third album, and it is only a good thing that the audience consumed both with glee.

After sowing the ‘She Will Be Loved’ seed, it was only right ‘This Love’ was performed soon after, and it’s safe to say if the walls were not shattered in their entirety before by the power of band and audience connection, they certainly were. ‘This Love’ is Maroon 5’s biggest hit to date, peaking at number three in both the UK and US in various charts. Adam Levine, in between proving just how flirtatious one man can be with over four thousand crowd members, lead a full blown sing-a-long, attempting to get audience participation to perfection by splitting the multitude to sing the final line of ‘This Love’ in tandem. Although the harmony was not flawless, the band’s efforts and presentation certainly were.

‘Makes Me Wonder’ and the melodic and mellow ‘Sunday Morning’ made up the epic encore and by the audience’s noise, they were more than happy with this conclusion. Maroon 5 proved how old and new tracks interlink and connect in ways the listener cannot comprehend unless they experience them live. They depict vulnerability, robustness and delight in unison, and their rock edge is absolutely irrespirable and can only be criticised for not playing enough songs or enough from their album that brought them on tour. Yet Maroon 5’s incredible finesse bursts through every note of every song, exposing why Maroon 5 have such an assortment of fans.