Maroon 5 have always been one of those bands that seem to have been around forever, soundtracking different phases of pop-rock culture without ever really asking for too much attention. They started out as a group of school friends in Los Angeles, originally called Kara’s Flowers, writing scrappy indie-rock songs long before anyone knew what direction they would eventually take. Somewhere along the way came a name change, a great pop-rock sound and a frontman – Adam Levine – who turned everything they did into radio hits.

By the time Songs About Jane was released, Maroon 5 had already found their voice, even if it came from slightly unexpected places. Their early songs were based on real life and real people, and that honest approach has stayed with them, even as their music evolved.

And then there’s Sugar, probably one of the most recognisable pop concepts of the last decade or so. The idea of the band crashing real weddings sounds like a gimmick on paper, but it worked because it came across as real. And when you get a chance to see the band performing live, you know you will be up for a treat, and I wasn’t wrong when I witnessed them at BST Hyde Park on Friday, July 3.

BST Hyde Park’s Great Oak Stage is built on a massive scale, designed for the global acts, but Maroon 5 made it look small. They opened with Harder to Breathe, a strong, no-nonsense way to start the set. Lucky Strike was next, and the energy in the crowd lifted immediately. Then came This Love, still sounding as good as ever live, with strong guitars and a performance that showed everyone why these songs have lasted so long.

Adam Levine greeted the crowd early on with plenty of enthusiasm. “Hyde Park, this is incredible,” he said, clearly taken by the size of the audience. “(…) tonight we’re going to go crazy.” And they did. During Stereo Hearts and Animals, Maroon 5 sounded tight and controlled. Throughout the set, the band showed exactly how to work a crowd of 60,000. Even on a stage as big as BST’s Great Oak Stage, they never lost their connection with the audience. One More Night and Misery were also included in the setlist. Adam Levine’s vocals were solid throughout, and the band behind him – especially PJ Morton on keyboards – kept everything steady and full.

Sunday Morning gave us a bit of a break to catch our breath, and Adam made sure to use every part of the stage so as many people as possible could see him. With a crowd this big, though, it’s impossible to reach everyone at once. Memories brought a bittersweet feeling, particularly given the personal story behind the song. With She Will Be Loved, Adam, clearly enjoying the moment, asked Hyde Park to take over the final chorus, and nobody needed asking twice.

The final part of the set featured Maps, Love Somebody, Makes Me Wonder, Girls Like You, and Moves Like Jagger. By this point, the crowd was fully with them, singing and dancing to every song. The encore brought Payphone before Sugar closed the show in exactly the way everyone had hoped.

BST Hyde Park is a stage built for greatness, and Maroon 5 proved exactly why they belong there. Their catalogue and talent were more than enough to fill every corner of Hyde Park.

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Written by Maggie Gogler

Featured image © Sienna Lorraine Gray

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. As we continue to grow, we aim to deepen our coverage of Asian music while remaining committed to exploring and celebrating creativity across the global arts landscape.}