Review: Maroon 5 and Neon Trees
(seen at MSG on Feb. 16, 2013)
By Christine Petralia





Image courtesy of Ticketmaster.com
February 17, 2013

(Seen at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 16, 2013)
After my last concert experience, one would think I was jaded for a while, but I had faith that Maroon 5 would make me love concerts again. And I was right. Despite what I think might have been audio problems and the almost two-hour wait for the group, I thoroughly enjoyed the show.
The sold-out show at Madison Square Garden was supposed to start at 8 p.m. with openers Owl City and Neon Trees. We got there a little before 8 p.m. and heard an announcement a little after 8 p.m. that due to an illness, Owl City would not be performing. I was a little taken aback, because there were no signs, just one little announcement, so that if you weren’t in the arena when it was made, you would be confused as to why they weren’t there. I wasn’t too disappointed about it though, as I really only know one song by the group.
Neon Trees came on around 9 p.m. The only two songs I recognized by them were ‘Everybody Talks’ and a cover of Human League’s ‘Don’t You Want Me.’ They sang three more songs in the set. They were also very entertaining and had an 80s vibe to them, including the female drummer.
Maroon 5 came out around 10 p.m. and started off strong with ‘Payphone.’ Though, that’s not my favorite song by them, I still found it very fun. Adam Levine then led the band through a 90-minute show filled with sing-alongs, guitar solos and fun, poppy rock numbers. I realized halfway through the show though, that a lot of Maroon 5’s songs sound similar, but I guess that’s why I like them, and probably why they sold out MSG. They know what works and what the public wants, and they accommodate.
Levine sure knows how to work a stage and an audience. He made his way up and down the M-shaped stage making sure to acknowledge the cheap seats each time. At on point, he even took the camera from one of the floor guys and showed the audience his view from the stage, as well as introduced each of the band members. I liked this part because each guy got to showcase his skills separately. I feel like I enjoyed this more during a ‘rock’ show than during a pop show because they didn’t just ‘learn’ the music, they created it.
My favorite songs of the night were ‘One More Night’ and ‘Lucky Strike.’ Most of the songs they played were from the latest album, but they did play the hits from previous albums, which the fans adore. The encore was fun as they closed with ‘Moves Like Jagger.’ Video below is courtesy of Lindsay Block.
Levine seemed genuine as he described how blessed he was to be on the stage where performers that inspired him have performed. I enjoyed the anecdote he told when Maroon 5 played a bar years ago in Oregon and no one showed up.

Maroon 5’s Overexposed World Tour did not disappoint. Though I feel MSG might have, as I felt the audio was a little muffled at times, and when Levine asked for the house lights to be turned up, not once, but twice, the crews either didn’t hear or refused to acknowledge. I won’t even touch on the $10 beers and $5 waters, as that is definitely for another review. All in all though, I had a great time and wouldn’t hesitate to pick up tickets to another tour when the band comes to town again.
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Setlist:
Payphone
Makes Me Wonder
Lucky Strike
Sunday Morning
If I Never See Your Face Again
Wipe Your Eyes
Won’t Go Home Without You
Love Somebody
Harder to Breathe
Wake Up Call (with Rozzi Crane)
One More Night
Hands All Over
Misery
This Love

Encore:
Stereo Hearts (Gym Class Heroes cover)
She Will Be Loved
Daylight
Moves Like Jagger (with Rozzi Crane)
How disappointing! If you want to see a theater show set to Madonna songs, see her in concert. If you want to wait almost three hours to see your favorite pop star washed up, by all means, waste your money. Seen on Nov. 13, 2012.
Want more raves and rants? I have lots more to say!