Maroon 5/Dashboard Confessional - MEN Arena - 28/11/07 by Rachel Hamer

Back with their second album "It Won't Be Soon Before Long", Maroon 5 are playing the UK to show us they still have what it takes to captivate a crowd. Given the uneviable task of entertaining the crowd before Levine and the gang took to the stage, Dashboard Confessional gave it a good go, with Chris Carrabba and Co coming across as a slightly more sombre version of the headliners.

Fifth album The Shade of Poison Trees came out last month and has been seen as a return to the acoustic form of their earlier records, and that's the kind of flavour their support set had, which didn't necessarily go down too well with the polite but quiet Maroon 5 crowd, despite some very good songs like "Don't Wait", "Stolen" and "As Lovers Go." Still, they were very impressive and must have won over some converts. But there was no doubt that most people were there to see the main act.

Adam Levine was sporting a freshly shaved haircut and was dressed in just a plain t-shirt and trousers. A far cry from the stylish and well groomed man all the ladies love. However this didn't deter them, there were still plenty of screams and marry me's echoing throughout the place.

The set opens with "If I Never See Your Face Again" which is also the opening track on the album, followed by their highest UK hit to date "Makes Me Wonder". The songs from their current album have definately got more of a rock edge to them as appose to the pop tunes they had four years ago on their first album "Songs About Jane".

New album track "Secret" stood out but this could be mainly due to the fact that they incorporated Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight" into the outro and of course we hear this track everyday on the well known chocolate advert.

We are then treated to the likes of "Sunday Morning", "Wake Up Call", new single "Won't Go Home Without You" and the memorable "This Love" which keeps the standing crowd on the floor highly entertained. Amongst all this Adam says to the crowd "Shh, don't tell the Americans but I think you might be one of the best crowds we have ever had". I have heard a similar line said at many a concert but I can say they really did seem to be enjoying themselves.

The stage was lit up with a huge "M" and plenty of brightly coloured light formations which were all timed superbly with the music. There were also two small runways on which Adam and guitarist Jimmy Valentine made good use. "She Will Be Loved" closes the show and of course goes out to the hearts of all the women in the audience leaving them loving Mr Levine even more. He has an amazing vocal ability which could never fail to impress. Maroon 5 are certainly back with a bang and I don't think they will be disappearing off the radar just yet.