Maroon 5 has been creating hits for over two decades, and this concert proves that they’ve still got it.
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When I arrived at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, I felt the excitement in the air-and I hadn’t even entered the venue yet. Wearing shades of red (and maroon, of course) Filipino Marooners were more than ready to watch the iconic band Maroon 5 last January 29 for their Manila stop as part of their Asia 2025 tour. With their last visit being in 2022 for their world tour, fans were anticipating another great concert for the books. For me? They did just that, proving that Maroon 5’s place is secured as music mainstays in the hearts of Filipinos.
EVERYONE WAS THERE (AND READY TO CHEER)
Everyone and their mother was at the sold-out concert. I spotted audience members of different ages, from senior citizens to kids in attendance. Many fans grew up with the band’s songs (myself included) and seeing wide-eyed concert goers wait in anticipation was heartwarming to see. It was a testament to the band’s influence reaching so many people through their songs. This strong sense of community was felt before the band even came up on stage as fans gave warm rounds of applause to opening acts.
American alt-rock band Culture Wars gave the audience a solid performance, and was greeted by the supportive cheers of the audience. DJ Mailbox performed a set with some of pop music’s biggest hits to keep the energy up, and fans danced along. Filipino Marooners were more than ready to give their support to everyone that graced the stage.
THE NOSTALGIA OF IT ALL
This concert perhaps gave me one of the most memorable nostalgia trips of my life. As the lights dimmed, Harry Belafonte’s Jump in the Line played as the members arrived on stage. The second they settled, Maroon 5 opened with their 2015 hit Animals with the crowd erupting into cheers. The track took me right back to the first time I heard the song on the radio. Every song they played in fact took me back to a moment in my life in which I remembered them being played.
With almost the entire setlist being composed of their own hit singles, it truly was the ultimate celebration of their iconic discography. When tracks from their debut album Songs About Jane played, particularly This Love and Harder to Breathe, the crowd erupted and joined the band to sing alongside them.
Even frontman and vocalist of the group, Adam Levine took note of this, claiming that one of the reasons they’ve continued to come back is because of how much we sing with them and experience the same joy they do when performing. After a brief (and fun) vocal warm-up with the crowd before playing their seminal hit Sunday Morning, Adam said, “I f*cking love you guys,” proving that they’ve been ready to rock out with us ever since their last visit three years ago.
HERE’S TO THE ONES THAT WE GOT
While many of the tracks the band performed were from previous albums, they also performed their newer hit singles. Memories proved to be the more notable of the band’s newer releases and a standout performance. When the lights dimmed, fans turned on their flashlights and waved as the band performed the track. With the song’s simple production, it made for a sentimental moment with the audience.
The same feeling was felt when they played She Will Be Loved. They performed the first half of the song stripped down, with the audience joining in. As I looked around, I saw members of the audience truly living in the moment as they took in the performance, making it one that I have a feeling will live rent-free in their minds for a while.
WE’VE GOT THE MOVES (LIKE JAGGER)
Nearing the end of the concert, Maroon 5 played their most danceable hits and raised the roof, an appropriate way to end a concert IMO. Their 2010 single Moves Like Jagger electrified the audience, getting everyone to pull out their best moves. They eventually closed the show off with their song Sugar, which was such a fun choice to end an exciting evening. As the song played, the lights turned pink and confetti shot out, engulfing the audience in euphoria. As I watched it fall, I saw members of the audience look around in awe with the widest smiles I’ve seen as they danced for the rest of the set.
With this concert, Maroon 5 proved that they still have it and more. From performing energetic numbers to being able to connect with fans deeply, the band continues to give it their all. This concert was a love letter to the Filipino Marooners continuous support, and I’m sure that the fans’ love for the group will also stand the test of time.
Photos courtesy of Live Nation Philippines
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