Maroon 5 in Singapore: Hot in pink
Adam Levine can really work a crowd.
Maroon 5 last played the same venue in 2012 to rave reviews. Saturday showed no signs of laurel resting.
The second night of the 2015 Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix saw screams to rival the noise of race cars.
Every move that wildly popular frontman Adam Levine made seemed to push the frenzy dial further into the red.
Apologies to the rest of the band but it was clear that he was the main draw of the show.
The fans’ mania was understandable, Levine was topless by the end of the night.
While that alone would have fulfilled some, there were other highlights during 90-minute show.
1. Moves like Levine
Pssh! Forget Jagger. Levine thrilled the crowd with moves of his own.
Not as showy or exaggerated as Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, Levine’s confident swagger was apparent.
A subtle hip thrust here and a wink sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Then there was the slowburn striptease.
He came out on stage in a floral black and white shirt and singlet. By the end of the opening track Animals, Levine, who made heavy perspiration look abnormally sexy, had lost the shirt.
By the end of the set, the singlet had disappeared too showing off his sculpted, tattoo-laden body.
2. Style and substance.
Maroon 5 is not all about Levine and his sex appeal. The band showed off their skills by performing a cappella versions of their hits like Payphone and She Will Be Loved.
Given their radio-friendly tracks like Sugar and Payphone, it might be easy to forget that Maroon 5 are actually... talented.
But Levine made sure to remind us by whipping out a guitar solo here and there.
The crowd was in full voice too, dutifully singing along to every word of even their earliest hits.
3. Audience participation
There was very little patter with the crowd, but there was plenty of encouragement to sing.
Levine was often asking the audience to join in on their popular tracks like Payphone.
If he was not pleased, Levine would bluntly tell them that they can do a better job.
At one point, he said: “There are 17 million people here. Look at the crowd! You guys can (expletive) do better!”
The obedient crowd quickly obliged.
4. Maroon 5 is not just Levine and the other guys
Levine is the star. Pop star, actor and judge on The Voice, he has it all.
But let's not forget Maroon 5 is a six-member GRC (Generally Rocking Collective).
Guitarist Valentine, while not hitting the sexy heights of Levine was great with his guitar solos and his exaggerated faces while playing these solos.
Keyboardist PJ Morton, who joined in 2010, received particular attention. During the introductions, Levine requested an extra special greeting in the form of a “Hey, PJ!” chant.
When Morton was satisfied, he played the familiar opening notes of Sunday Morning.
It is moments like those than can switch even the most die-hard fan's allegiance to a favourite band member.
5. Men can wear pink
For those who thought Levine’s glistening torso on full display was the pinnacle, well, you were wrong.
Confident with his swagger and masculinity, he strapped on a hot pink guitar and treated his fans to a mean, gritty solo (well, as gritty as it can get at with Maroon 5).
Yes folks, hot men can wear (hot) pink.
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