Concert Review: Maroon 5

For any last-minute doubters, rest assured: Maroon5 deserved its best-new-artist Grammy.

In a sold-out concert Monday night at Old Dominion Universitys Ted Constant Convocation Center , the California pop band enthralled already loyal fans with established hits, a few new tunes and a surprise appearance by a local musical luminary.

Although the band took its time taking the stage, the crowd quickly forgave them once lead singer Adam Levine applied his sexy voice to Shiver. Fans showed their love by jumping to their feet and screaming.

The screams got louder with the notable jams Harder to Breathe, This Love and She Will Be Loved.

No acid reflux-induced lip-syncing here. The band sounded just as good live as it does in the studio. The only downer: It was sometimes drowned out by the crowd, which sang almost every song word for word.

When the group played the melody to This Love, the crowd immediately began singing, even though the band was not. So Levine pointed the mic at the audience, who obliged by singing This love has taken its toll on me ...

To put the icing on the cake, Virginia Beachs Chad Hugo of the Neptunes surprised the assembled by playing the sax to the groups single Sunday Morning. As part of an encore, he and the band played the Neptunes Fallin.

The crowd loved every minute of it.

Pat and John Korba came to the concert to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. They brought along their daughter, Alaina Love, making the night a family affair. Whats the attraction? The Korbas said they like Maroon 5's music because it is not too vulgar.

Opening was The Donnas, a veteran punk girl band that has garnered hits like I Dont Want to Know (If You Dont Want Me) and Take It Off. Clad in jeans and novelty shirts, they earned applause from the crowd for their energetic performance.