Maroon 5
Maroon V Tour
It's amazing to think that Maroon 5 have been around for over 20 years and are still able to reinvent their sound to stay on top of the music game. However, for artists with eight previous tours under their belts, their Brisbane performance was underwhelming.
The night started with a bang, featuring a short set from Conrad Sewell. Having last seen him in an intimate setting, it was refreshing to watch Sewell perform to 13,500 fans - a capacity better suited to his performance style. It was interesting to note that his upcoming single (supposedly to be released next week) has changed since his last home visit, 12 days ago. Incredibly, the single, Who You Lovin, was only written in the last month! His set included all the crowd favourites and was the perfect warm up for what we were about to witness: Dirty Loops.
The Swedish pop-rock jazz-fusion group was an experience in itself. The three-piece band features the talented vocalist/keyboardist Jonah Nilsson, six-string bassist Henrik Linder, and frenetic drummer Aaron Mellergårdh. Contrary to many successful bands, each member of Dirty Loops possessed an extremely high level of technical skill, which was showcased throughout their 30-minute set. Their experimental sound was unexpected, infusing original pop songs with jazz-informed chord progressions, falsetto melodies and infectious basslines. Yet, this innovative musicality was let down by their tacky lyrics, such as those when they sang about "sexy girls in the club". After this confusing adventure, the audience was craving something more familiar.
However, Maroon 5 left the audience high and dry after their blasé performance, smashing out popular singles without any vicissitude. For a multi-award winning band, their act lacked any extraordinary sensory engagement. The set was basic with simplistic black platforms propping up the band as frontman, Adam Levine, stalked around the stage, clutching a microphone stand. Although the music was excellent, Levine left the audience unsatisfied as he mimic the original tracks. Overall, the show was unremarkable, like listening to a CD whilst watching a band. There was nothing that kept the audience on their toes, apart from the guest appearance of R. City in the hit, Locked Away. Highlights would include the ensemble a cappella intro to Payphone and the one tidbit of stage banter in which Levine provided a glimpse into their celebrity lives.
They say a star shines its brightest right before it burns out, and if this performance was any indication, Maroon 5's twinkle is in the midst of fading.