Maroon 5!!

**I apologize if this post is incredibly long, I have a lot to say about this one.**

Say what you will about this band and their music but all I know is this:
1. Adam Levine is hot.
2. They are AMAZING live.

You know how some bands just plain suck when they play live and you hear that and the music is pretty much ruined for you forever? Then other bands are just so-so and you're happy either way? THEN, there are those elite bands who put on an amazing show with fantastic vocals and appropriately-lengthed rocking guitar and drum solos? Maroon 5 belongs to that last group.

Adam Levine has a great voice and he uses it to it's full advantage during his concerts. They don't play their songs note for note, minute for minute the way they are recorded (as some bands certainly do). They all just seem to be having a genuinely good time performing. And did I mention Adam Levine is hot? Because that most definitely does not hurt.

Jamie and I saw Maroon 5 when they were touring for Songs About Jane. They played at the McKay Events Center in Orem and we had unbelievable seats (8th row center floor seats). I was excited to see them because I loved the music, but when Adam got on stage and started singing it was crazy. He got ten times hotter (an effect I'm sure has something to do with why women find Steven Tyler or the Rolling Stones sexy...although I think Adam Levine has more natural good looks than those guys). Jamie and I were hooked. But, we approached this concert knowing that it could not compare with that first one. Larger venue, not-as-great seats, etc.

Well, I could go on for quite a while about all of that, but I will rewind and explain the rest of the night. I got to Mike and Jamie's house and Jamie and I talked till Mike got home. Jamie made yummy dinner for us and we got ready and headed for the Metro. I just have to say that I love Jamie and I really do miss seeing her everyday. I forget how much I miss her, probably because it would suck a lot if I thought about it more, but I am SO happy that we live close enough to see each other when we really really want to. I am also happy Mike is awesome enough to let Jamie and me have a girls night. He's a pretty awesome husband.

Okay, back to business. The metro is what it is, but we got to the Verizon Center in about 15 minutes and were promptly seated in our 20-something row floor seats. Good seats. Only complaint is that I'm short, so I saw the back of a lot of people's heads, but I didn't really care that much, I've gotten used to it. The Hives opened for Maroon 5. This is what we learned about The Hives.




1. They are a rock band from Sweden (as we were told several times).
2. The lead singer is totally in love with himself and his band. Like, a lot.
3. He said "Washington" like 80 gagillion times.
4. This guy...............................................>>>
Really? That bald guy with the 70s mustache is a rocker?
5. The drummer made AMAZING faces when he played. Most entertaining part about the band really.
6. The lead singer is trying to be Mick Jagger. Mick Jagger is old.
7. At first I gave them a 4 out of 10 - mostly because their music isn't bad, just not my type of thing and they don't necessarily put on a bad show - that lead singer is just kind of crazy and annoying. Not my cup of tea. By the end of the set they had 2 points, one for the drummer and one for the mustachioed guitarist.

So yeah, that was The Hives. Not horrible, but not good enough that I got out of my seat and danced. Mostly, we took pictures of ourselves.

Then Maroon 5 came on. It was awesome. Once again, let me make sure you heard me, Adam Levine is hot. Here's proof:
There were two songs I wished they had played: I'm Not Falling Apart and Back at Your Door, but those are both a little more catchy, a little less concert worthy unless they get some radio play. Still, they are two of the best songs on the new CD so I was a little bummed they didn't play them. She Will Be Loved was amazing as was my favorite from the new CD, Won't Go Home Without You. It was all fantastic really. I loved the drummer, who was also the sweatiest drummer I have ever seen (the man was drenched before the first song ended). I also love the faces James Valentine makes when he plays and sings. He kind of makes it look painful and it makes me laugh a little. Mickey Madden needed a haircut and a wardrobe change. And Adam was just amazing. His presence on stage is electrifying.

And now, here's a slideshow of pictures. I'll preface this by saying that I love my camera and it's awesome zoom feature, I also love the invention of the jumbotron TV screen, and although some of the pictures are blurry, I still love them in all their pixelated glory. Also, some came out with some pretty cool effects that make me like the pictures more. Enjoy!



After the show, we headed back to the Metro and Jamie's apartment. It was a fun Metro ride, longer because the trains didn't run as often, but full of stories and reminiscing and just having a fun time with one of my best friends. It was a great night! Thanks to Jamie for making it happen!!

Another blogger who was there. She likes my pictures.
A Rolling Stone article with interview and such.