The annual Honda Civic Tour's goal, according to a spokesperson, is to take artists that are about to break big and put them on their largest nationwide tour to date. Organizers definitely accomplished their goal this year with Maroon 5 [ tickets ].

Approaching the end of this year's Civic Tour run, Maroon 5 solidified what fans learned when the band was opening for John Mayer last summer--this act has the chops to become a major headliners.

Lead singer Adam Levine commanded the audience's attention with his bluesy, jazz-inflected vocals and muscular guitar work Wednesday (5/11) at Phoenix's Cricket Pavilion. Bassist Mickey Madden and guitarist James Valentine provided the rhythmic counterpoint to Levine's rock edge, while keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist Jesse Carmichael laid down the keys that are the signature to Maroon 5's songs.

A powerhouse behind the kit, Ryan Dusick reportedly was playing with an injured arm. He didn't seem to miss a beat, however.

"We're coming to the end of a very long extended tour," Levine told the crowd. "We're on the 41st show of this tour. It's a pleasure to spend it with you all."

For 90 minutes, Maroon 5 showcased its major-label debut, "Songs for Jane," as well as some of new material that's set to appear on the band's next album.

Backed by a wall of striking red lights and wearing a plain white T-shirt and jeans, Levine kicked off the set with "Shiver." Toward the end of the song, the audience saluted his extended vocal range with raised glasses of beer. A Spirograph-like light show served as the backdrop for "Through With You."

"You want to hear a new--relatively new--song? It will appear on our next record which will come out in about 50 years," Levine said sarcastically before the band launched into "Wasted Year." The song is highlighted by staggering, jazzy guitar riffs, and is a companion piece, musically, to the band's hit "Sunday Morning."

On the other hand, the new song "I Can't Stop Thinking About You" is a tepid 1980s-inspired number that doesn't stand up to Maroon 5's previous efforts.

For "Secret," Levine segued into a flat rendition of "The Girl from Ipanema," which curiously drew rabid applause from the crowd. He coolly slid into Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine," which was accepted equally as well.

Levine repeatedly complimented the Phoenix weather throughout the show.

"You should be thankful for what you have in this amazing place," he said. "It's always beautiful, just beautiful. Minnesota doesn't look like this, you know what I'm saying?"

From there, he offered a striking a capella rendition of "This Love," allowing the crowd to sing on its own after the first couple lines. After a series of drum beats, the band kick-started the song, sending the audience into a sing-along frenzy.

After a knock-up version of "Sunday Morning," Levine accepted flowers from the audience. He walked over to Madden, dropped to one knee and presented him with a bouquet.

"This is lovely," Levine said to the crowd. "Thank you very much. I don't deserve this."

The set wrapped up with a cover of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell," with drummer Dusick taking on vocal duties and Levine sitting behind the kit. Members of Simon Dawes, one of the tour's opening acts, marched on stage in their underwear to accompany the band.

Ireland's The Thrills kicked off the show with their sunny, California-inspired pop music. The group served up a weepy version of "Not for All the Love in the World," complete with lead singer Conor Deasy's endearing vocal pips and cracks. The song hit a familiar chord with the audience, many of whom probably saw The Thrills performing it on an episode of Fox-TV's "The O.C."

The Thrills' set thrived on simplicity, with Deasy taking a laid back approach to entertaining. The songs emanated through the venue album-ready, and Deasy sincerely snapped his fingers to the beat.