CheekyChicago

“Oh yeah” repeated over and over again might make you cringe when being sung by the person next to you. Go ahead, imagine your tone deaf best friend imitating a contestant on The Voice while you surreptitiously turn your ear away from that noise coming out of her mouth. We’ve all been there. Not much you can say to get her to shut up, is there? Now imagine the source of those “oh yeahs” is one of the world’s most instantly recognizable singing voices that has captivated the hearts, ears (and eyes) of millions worldwide. I’m talking about the one and only Adam Levine.

Maroon 5

Maroon 5 got groovy with a sold out crowd at Ravinia last Friday night as lots of swooning erupted with “Misery.” Picking up his golden guitar, frontman Levine shouted the order “Stand up!” before rocking out to “If I Never See Your Face Again.” Levine had girls in the palm of his hand, ending the tune with a stellar solo. “Harder To Breathe” got a little harsher in sound as the quintet gave the hit a true rock and roll introduction.

“How y’all doing? You feel all right?” inquired Levine in his trademark tenor. “This next song is a brand new one. We hope you like it,” concluded the lead vocalist as “Moves Like Jagger” was performed minus The Voice co-host Christina Aguilera. With Maroon 5 now raging full steam ahead, bassist Mickey Madden removed his button down shirt and Levine, in his rapid-fire cadence, addressed the crowd. “You like that one? Ladies and gentlemen, we are Maroon 5. This next one is from our first album.”

Maroon 5

“The Sun” blended into Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” before the band’s lead guitarist brought back the track. “James Valentine right here on guitar,” exclaimed Levine while pointing to his co-writer before picking up his six-stringed sword and a battle of the licks began between the rhythm and lead guitarists.

“If you’re in the first ten rows, stand up,” Levine commanded. “I know some people in the grass who would kick your ass right now.” Moving at a glacial pace, those recently reprimanded stood for “Wake Up Call” and watched Levine rip into a solo and continue to blow people’s minds with his improvisational prowess. Let’s not forget the John Mayer faces Levine pulled when deep into the solo process, which were in stark contrast to the zombie-like expressions drummer Matt Flynn had going for him while lost in a tribal trance.

Maroon 5

“Makes Me Wonder” proved too much for security and ushers, causing venue personnel to relent as lovestruck girls rushed the stage. “This man is going to lead us into the next song,” explained Levine referring to keyboardist Jesse Carmichael. “His nickname is Professor; most eligible bachelor.” Blushing slightly, the pianist smiled and played those three easily identifiable descending chords that mean only one thing: time to wrap the night up with “Sunday Morning” followed by the essential group bow. Total bromance.

To read about October’s Maroon 5 performance at UIC Pavilion, click here and for Train at Ravinia, click here.

To read more about Jennifer Boyer and why she is so Cheeky, please click here.