MANSFIELD - Maroon 5 and Counting Crows may have reached stardom in separate decades, but they share a down-to-earth rock approach besides both from California and coming out infrequently with albums.

The groups performed Saturday night at the Comcast Center, with Maroon 5 the headliner. With the high-pitched voice of frontman Adam Levine, Maroon 5 brought its upbeat soul sound.

The five-member group didn't waste any time getting to its biggest hit, opening the show with "This Love," from its debut 2002 quadruple platinum "Songs About Jane."

Levine, 29, then strapped on a guitar for other songs.

"Makes Me Wonder," which climbed in just one week from No. 64 to No. 1 on the charts - the biggest jump in Billboard's history, is off last year's "It Won't Be Soon Before Long." Many songs on that album, which came five years after the debut, were written for a live set. "The Sun," also off the first album, was heavy on guitar and drum. "Won't Go Home Without You" ended up being a sing-along with the audience, complete with a laser lime light show. The song, which has been compared to '80s dance-pop with its synthesizer sound, is off the latest album.

The ballad "Sunday Morning" was an obvious crowd pleaser. After a cover of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Games," the band played another of its early songs, "She Will Be Loved," to wrap the set up.

It was the second time around for the Grammy-award winning Los Angeles band this year here as Maroon 5 was among several groups who played at the annual KISS 108 music festival in May. Levine was influenced by Stevie Wonder.

The rock/rhythm and blues outfit Counting Crows, known for its live shows, didn't disappoint.

Lead singer/songwriter Adam Duritz, who turned 44 Friday and has a reggae look, has to be among the most emotional singers on stage. Then again, his lyrics carry such a feeling.

The group's biggest hit, "Mr. Jones," the melody rocker about a singer looking for success that had much airplay on MTV, was an obvious highlight.

The song is from "August and Everything After," the critically-acclaimed, multi-platinum album from 1993 that is considered one of the best of that decade, selling more than 5 million copies. Few debut albums have had such an impact on music, with Duritz becoming somewhat of a voice of a generation with the basic rock and literate songs.

"When I Dream of Michael Angelo" featured acoustic guitar and a large bass.

Somewhat unusual but what adds diversity and harmony to their music, every band member sings.

"Ghost Train," off the first album, was strong on guitar, and the older "Hangin Around" was sharp as well. Part of the encore was "A Long December," a beautiful, but sad ballad that had Duritz on keyboard and one of the guitarists playing accordion.

A disappointment, "Accidentally in Love" didn't make the song list.

Counting Crows, formed in San Francisco in 1991, was part of a tour last year that played baseball stadiums, including Pawtucket's McCoy Stadium.

Singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles opened, playing some sweet but rocking music on her piano. The California native is a big fan of the Counting Crows. Her new album is "Little Voice."

STEPHEN PETERSON can be reached at 508-236-0377 or at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.