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Description: The LA rockers play a one-off show to launch their new single, Makes Me Wonder.
Phone: 0207833 2022
Website: www.scala-london.co.uk
Trains: Tube/BR: King's Cross 
, Tube / Bus: 10, 17, 30, 45, 46, 63, 73, 91, 214, 259 
Extra info: Party Hire, Pub
Hard road back: Adam Levine complained that the crowd wasn't singing during Maroon 5's Scala gig
In years to come, Maroon 5 may well regret treating success as an impostor. After years of scrabbling around Los Angeles's bar circuit, they struck gold (or, more accurately, platinum) in 2002, with their eight-million-selling debut, Songs About Jane.
Since then, there have been concerts, two water-treading live albums and the unmistakable sound of nothing happening.
Half a decade later, a second album is finally imminent, but along the way Maroon 5 have lost their drummer, their record deal and, less easy to replace, every soupçon of momentum.
Now they must begin again in reduced circumstances, hence last night's low-key return, where a band heartily sick of playing their slender canon of old material met an audience both unfamiliar and unconcerned with the new.
And when singer Adam Levine hectored one punter photographing him through their mobile phone to "put down that camera and f***ing sing", an evening was encapsulated.
To the disappointment of those hoping for a deeper exploration of what had once made them successful, Maroon 5 have a new direction. It's apparently influenced by the funk of Prince, but, in bitter truth, it sounds more like the funk of Prince Charles.
Meanwhile, the glum If I Never See Your Face Again was a reminder that, all things considered, reggae is not the natural constituency of preppy Californians.
It was left to the familiar to salvage a brief set. She Will Be Loved, once a delicate study of an appropriately delicate character, was ruined by a galumphing metal guitar solo, but the radiant This Time retained its glow and its a cappella opening was a moment of magic in an earthbound show.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Maroon 5 sound so much better live and I have to admit it was a really tough crowd and half the girls who were screaming their heads off saying 'I love you' every 5 seconds was a tad annoying. However I liked the little improv's they included in their songs and the new drummer is absolutely fantastic! The crowd were waiting a bit too long outside but nonetheless it was worth it! I think they are going to be bigger this year, their new songs are really original and may introduce a new genre on the scene. So overall I'd give it 8/10.
- Hennal, London, England
I really enjoyed last night and yes, I am biased because I am a fan of Maroon 5. Playing new material, unheard by even the most devoted fans, is always going to create a subdued atmosphere but overall, I thought the crowd were pleased with the performance and the excellent opportunity to see the band in such an intimate venue. Once the new album is released and the fans get to hear some of the new songs, the atmosphere and performance will certainly be taken up another level.
- Kate, Reading, England
Maroon 5 were great, they are obviously going to be nervous having been away for a while, but they were brilliant. I agree with what was said about the crowd though, there was some sort of lack of motivation - but then if they hadn't kept us waiting outside for hours then maybe people would have been a bit perkier.
- Shannon, Coventry,England
