Honestly, it feels like we’ve been waiting forever for Maroon 5 to stop chasing trends and just be a band again. If you’ve followed Adam Levine’s career even casually, you know the vibe has shifted significantly over the last decade. It went from the gritty, funk-infused rock of Songs About Jane to a sort of neon-soaked, ultra-polished pop machine that dominated Top 40 radio but maybe lost a bit of its soul along the way. But Maroon 5 this summer is looking like a completely different beast.
We are officially in the "Love Is Like" era, and the chatter surrounding their 2026 plans suggests they are leaning hard into a "back to basics" philosophy. No more massive rooms full of twenty co-writers. No more over-produced synth-loops that drown out James Valentine’s guitar work.
Adam Levine basically confirmed this shift himself during a recent sit-down on The Tonight Show. He mentioned that for the first time in nearly 13 years, he’s "shut everybody out." It’s just the band in a room. That might sound like a small detail, but for a group that has spent years collaborating with every major hitmaker in the industry, it’s a radical move.
Where to Catch Maroon 5 This Summer
If you’re looking to see them live, you better have your passport ready. While they spent a good chunk of late 2025 touring North American arenas, the summer of 2026 is all about the European festival circuit and some incredibly scenic historic venues.
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They aren't just playing standard stadiums; they are hitting places with actual character. Think castles and coastal festivals. Here is the breakdown of the major stops they have confirmed for the warmer months:
- Milan, Italy (June 25): They’re headlining the I-Days Milano Coca-Cola festival at the Ippodromo SNAI San Siro.
- Chambord, France (June 27): This is the big one—a show at the actual Château de Chambord. Seeing "Harder to Breathe" in front of a 16th-century French Renaissance chateau is a specific kind of flex.
- Dublin, Ireland (June 30): A massive outdoor show at Malahide Castle.
- London, UK (July 3): Headlining American Express Presents BST Hyde Park. This is a massive deal, featuring OneRepublic as the primary support act.
- Marbella, Spain (July 7): A more intimate, high-end vibe at the Auditorio Starlite.
- Santiago de Compostela, Spain (July 11): Closing out this leg at the O Gozo Festival.
It’s a tight, high-impact run. They seem to be favoring these "experience" shows over a grueling 50-city slog.
The Sound of "Love Is Like" and the 2026 Pivot
So, what does Maroon 5 this summer actually sound like? If the lead singles "Priceless" (featuring LISA from BLACKPINK) and "All Night" are any indication, they are trying to bridge the gap between their massive pop appeal and their original organic sound.
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"Priceless" was a bit of a curveball. It made huge waves globally but, interestingly, had a quieter start on the U.S. charts. It’s got that slick production, but the underlying groove feels more like the Maroon 5 of 2004. Then you have "All Night," which leans even further into that organic, band-driven energy.
Adam’s been vocal about how the Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live changed them. When you play the same room night after night, you start to notice the little things. You notice when a song feels "fake" or when the energy dips because a track is too reliant on a backing track. He’s said that the residency "injected new life" into how they perform, and that’s clearly bleeding into the new material.
Why the "Back to Basics" Approach Matters Now
Let's be real: Jordi (their 2021 album) was a bit of a mixed bag for long-time fans. It had the hits, sure, but it felt like a product of the "playlist era"—a collection of songs designed to fit into specific Spotify moods.
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The strategy for this summer is the opposite. By returning to The Voice as a coach for Season 29, Adam is keeping his face in front of millions of households every week, but he’s using that platform to push a version of the band that feels more authentic. It’s a smart play. People are currently obsessed with "real" instruments again—look at the success of artists like Noah Kahan or the resurgence of 90s-style rock. Maroon 5 is essentially trying to reclaim the title of the world's biggest actual band, not just a pop collective.
Surprising Details You Might Have Missed
One thing that hasn't gotten enough coverage is the involvement of Benny Blanco. While Adam says he's "shut out" the outside writers, he’s still kept a few trusted collaborators in the inner circle. Benny, who was instrumental in the "Moves Like Jagger" era, has been a sounding board for the new record.
Also, if you're attending any of the shows this summer, don't expect a carbon copy of their old setlists. While you'll obviously hear "Sugar" and "Moves Like Jagger," the band has been dusting off deeper cuts from Songs About Jane and It Won't Be Soon Before Long. They’ve even been throwing in some surprising covers during their recent rehearsals, like "Jump in the Line."
Practical Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning on catching Maroon 5 this summer, here is the reality of the ticket situation:
- Check the European Festival Sites Directly: For shows like BST Hyde Park or I-Days, tickets often move differently than standard Ticketmaster arena dates. Check the official festival websites for "Premium" or "VIP" packages that might still be available even if general admission is low.
- Monitor the Secondary Market Wisely: For the more "boutique" shows like Marbella or Chambord, ticket prices fluctuate wildly based on travel demand.
- Watch "The Voice": Since Adam is coaching this season, he’s almost certain to perform a new track with the band during the live results shows. It’s the best way to see the new "organic" setup in action before you drop money on a flight to Europe.
- Listen Beyond the Singles: If you want to understand where the band is going, go back and listen to their 2023 standalone single "Middle Ground." It was the first real hint of this stripped-back direction, and it’s a much better indicator of the new album’s vibe than some of their older pop hits.
The band is clearly in a transitional phase. They are old enough to be considered "legacy" by some, yet they are still young enough to dominate the charts. This summer is their attempt to prove they can do both without losing their identity.