Live Review: Maroon 5

Howling wolves and intense tribal drumming welcome Maroon 5 to the stage as they leap right into fierce hit Animals. It's been three years since they last played at Rod Laver Arena and while it may not be a record-breaking 18th consecutive show like their mate Pink, they're still quite proud to play in front of a sold-out crowd. They keep it simple for us tonight with frontman Adam Levine looking very casual in jeans and a T-shirt with rolled-up sleeves to show off his tattooed biceps. There's no need for flashy visuals or acrobatics; instead, it's all about the band and Levine's flawless crooning vocals.

Maroon 5's current world tour is in support of their fifth studio album V, but there's something for everyone and they pull tracks from across their diverse collection of recorded music spanning more than 15 years. Levine even throws in some tracks showcasing his own guest vocal appearances including Stereo Hearts (featured on the popular Gym Class Heroes track). Maroon 5 churn out hit after hit at a rapid-fire pace, continuing to build up momentum to Lucky Strike (which is by far the most energetic of the set). A whirl of kaleidoscopic lights spin 'round and 'round to the supercharged guitar solos and catchy lyrics. Love Somebody marks a shift to a slower pace as the band show us more of their sensitive sides with some emotional pop ballads that emphasise Levine's effortless, pitch-perfect falsetto. They continue this with This Love, which Levine starts off a cappella — we all sing along until the band joins in and Levine picks up his neon pink electric guitar for a solo jam. They're very far from home but the band of five take a moment to thank each other for the friendship that binds them together as they link arms to sing the opening chorus of Payphone.

R City join Maroon 5 for a special encore opener of their current chart-topping single Locked Away, which features Levine and is performed for the first time ever on a live stage. The hip hop duo bring their calypso, reggae-infusion rap and high energy, which combines seamlessly with Levine's soothing-sweet vocals during the chorus. Of course the band can't leave without playing their biggest, heart-melting ballad She Will Be Loved and the inescapable Moves Like Jagger. They hit one final sweet spot on Sugar as everyone gets up on their feet to dance.