Maroon 5 Red Pill Blues Tour: Chicago Concert Review

I received tickets for the Maroon 5 Red Pill Blues 2018 Tour during the 2017 holiday season, so you can imagine how excited I was as a longtime fan. I attended that concert on September 14th, 2018 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. Read on to see my opinions of the event and my thoughts about how the band has progressed since I became a fan!

The Concert

The concert was amazing; I feel that almost any attendee would have felt that way. The lights, the booming bass, and the enthusiasm that Adam Levine and the band still exhibited after almost 20 years on stage were all breathtaking. The setlist resembled a Maroon 5 walk through memory lane, as hits from almost all of their albums were performed and loved by fans of all ages. The band really highlighted their range and how they have morphed their style throughout the years, and yet they also demonstrated the flawless stage presence and commitment to catchy beats that make them Maroon 5, no matter what year it is or what style they are experimenting with.

The Venue

As I briefly mentioned in the concert section above, the lighting and sound quality at the United Center in Chicago was a great fit for the Maroon 5 Red Pill Blues tour. The seating was comfortable, and even fans sitting far from the stage (I was DEFINITELY one of them) felt like an engaged part of the show. The screens positioned above the stage gave a large and exceptionally clear view of the band members so no attendees had to miss a single part of the concert. This is good news, as the tickets up where I sat (and higher) were probably the most affordable for many music lovers.

My Experience

If it isn’t already obvious, I was blown away by Maroon 5’s performance in Chicago. I did not have the best seats in the house - but I had a very clear, if miniaturized, view of the stage, and was able to tell that each member of the band is still giving it his all after almost two decades of performing. I also found Adam Levine’s speech on appreciating one’s fans to be important and a nice touch. I couldn’t stop singing and jumping out of my seat to dance, which is a testament to the performance in itself.

Maroon 5, Red Pill Blues Tour, and Pop: A Discussion

An image of Maroon 5's Adam Levine I captured at the Red Pill Blues tour in 2018.

My general conclusions from my experience were as follows:

1. Maroon 5 performed like as masterful of a pop-rock band as ever, and their live performance style is highly impressive. I am glad that all of the videos I watched of their performances over the years were indicative of their in-person vibes.

2. I am still as impressed by the band as I was when I started college, even though my life circumstances and the band’s style have both changed dramatically in that time.

I believe that my experience speaks to Maroon 5’s almost magical staying power in the popular music realm, with the band maintaining relevance since the early 2000s. Fans young and old from all walks of life cheered, clapped, and sang along with Adam & company on September 14th, 2018, proving that music—at least music that is skillfully and artistically performed and arranged—can bring people together.

-Music Lover, Junior Contributor