MUSIC: Maroon 5 @ Madison Square Garden

Wednesday night Maroon 5 hit NYC in a big way, performing at Madison Square Garden for the first time. Their opening acts were Sara Bareilles and The Hives. Bareilles was a surprising treat. I felt as though I'd heard her songs before, and it turns out ABC's "Men in Trees" have nabbed her "Love Song" for the commercial teasers, possibly sky-rocketing her career as it did KT Tunstall ("Suddenly I See") and Corrinne Bailey Rae's ("Put your records on") last season. She has an amazing voice, not to mention lyrics that speak of unchartered romantic territory. As for The Hives, even though Pelle Almqvist, the lead singer, was very confident that by the end of their performance we'd all be in love with them, I was a tad underwhelmed. I could barely hear what he was saying and most of the musical compositions sounded the same. But at least they go down in history as the first Swedish band to play at MSG.

Now on to the headliners. I was sort of gently bullied into going to this concert. I don't really like Maroon 5's new record, It won't be soon before long--and not just because of the title. However, when my friend gave me Songs about Jane in 2003, I fell in love with every song--which I don't do often. So I expected to daydream through all the crappy songs and leap out of my seat when a Songs about Jane track came on. Silly me. I've only been to two concerts in my life, for The Roots and Sugarcult. I'm not experienced enough to know that when a band goes on tour directly after they've released an album, they usually play favorites, since most people aren't used to the new songs. Lucky me. I, literally, sang every friggin song they played, especially: "Makes me wonder," "Sunday Morning," and "Secret" (below):

Plus, I learned a couple things about Adam Levine:

1) He can play the guitar. I'm used to seeing him strut on a stage.

2) He likes to kid around. A woman threw her bra on the stage and he publicly and verbally examined it to see if it was worn to the arena or purchased on the way there. He believes that only a true fan would take off the bra they're actually wearing. (She did.)

3) His favorite song off the new album is "Won't go home without you."

4) He dabbles in the drums.

5) He enjoys mixing the band's songs with oldies, like--if I'm not mistaken--the "Miami Vice" theme song.

Besides getting to know Levine, I was also very excited to have gotten the chance to witness a guest appearance by Kanye West, singing "Heard 'em say," and really entertained when Levine led two "vocal lessons" where he'd sing a note and then instruct the crowd to echo him. During the end of the 2nd vocal lesson, he sang so high and so fast that we couldn't follow him anymore and he just started laughing. It shows he's having fun, which oddly made me have even more fun.

I definitely recommend a Maroon 5 concert if they swing by your neighborhood. And if you're strapped for cash, buy a cheap seat, then crash one closer to the stage--like I did--for a supreme view.