Maroon 5 has spent much of the past few years on top of the charts and have found themselves in bigger venues. After touring on their debut album "Songs About Jane," for the last three years, the group finally released new material. The new stuff, coupled with the rock star status the group now carries, has led to sold out gigs.

The Counting Crows Adam Duritz did everything from front his legendary group to serve as emcee. The Bay Area resident is, and always has been, a fan favorite. Decked out in Cal football clothing the Berkeley native launched into the songs that have been in rotation on light rock radio for more than a decade.

"Mr. Jones," and "Accidentally In Love," were both received especially well by the massive audience. Although the Crow's are both musically gifted and Duritz is a compelling lead singer indeed, the band gave a lackadaisical performance. Duritz had more energy on stage when he introduced the opening band Augustana. As the 45 minute set drew to an end Duritz, with his dread locks flailing in the wind, thanked the fans for what seemed like the thirtieth time. The band put on a musically solid show that could have been a bit more entertaining.

Pitch blackness blanketed the amphitheater and a dramatic recorded song began. As the symphony came to a crescendo Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine appeared, arms raised, his eyes scanning the audience. He stood there for nearly five minutes. It was at this moment that it became quite clear that Mr. Levine's ego may be larger than Maroon 5's record sales. Finally, after the self serving Levine had gotten his fill of adulation, some live music began.

The minute the first chords of "Harder To Breathe," were struck every female in the audience began to scream. This is one thing Levine is especially good at and he knows it. When he strapped on a guitar midway through the set he played directly to a few girls in the front row. Stage presence is something that oozes out of Levine. He loves the spotlight and makes it no secret. Whether he's posing for the cameras or making female fans swoon Levine is a rock star, albeit a bit annoying.

As it got later the hit songs were beginning to string together. A barrage of recognizable pop rock hits were thrown at the audience in a matter of minutes. "This Love," and "Sunday Morning," were saved for an encore. The band has a unique sound and can transform themselves instantaneously from sounding 100 percent pop one minute to hard rock the next. The bands strongest moments, by far, were those when the amps were turned up and Levine started to wail on lead guitar. It doesn't matter that Levine can be a bit much or that all their music begins to blend together and sound the same, Maroon 5 delivered a simple, entertaining live show.