Youtube screen grab of the “Sugar” music video
MANILA, Philippines—How would you feel if one of the world’s most popular bands suddenly appeared unannounced and performed during your party? Elated, perhaps?
Couples across Los Angeles, CA, apparently got the surprise of their lives as American pop-rock band Maroon 5 made an unexpected appearance at their weddings as seen in the video released on Wednesday for their latest single, “Sugar,” the third off their 2014 record “V.”
Time-stamped Dec. 6, 2014, the video had frontman Adam Levine tell viewers: “We’re gonna drive across LA and hit every wedding we possibly can. It’s gonna be awesome.”
Scenes in the video showed the band driving across the city while someone at the wedding reception set up the stage, covering it with a white curtain.
The group then headed for the stage unnoticed while the startled couple were asked to stand in front of the obscured area.
Youtube grab of the “Sugar” music video
On cue, the curtain dropped to reveal the band, surprising the couple and turning the guests’ confusion into cheers and shrieks of excitement.
The band then performed away as the couple motioned their guests to join them in dancing.
The video showed the band performing to a total of seven weddings during the day.
At the end of the video, Levine jumped down the stage, congratulating the couple and thanking the guests. “This was the coolest thing, ever. Ever, ever, ever,” he told them.
In a release for the single, Levine said the video was an “out of body experience.”
“I had no idea I would be affected by the overwhelming reactions we received from the couples and guests,” Levine said. “Being able to create an unforgettable experience for several people was the highlight of it all.”
The reactions of the guests in the video were said to be authentic because, as a representative for Maroon 5 said, “only the grooms knew in each case.”
Viewers were divided over the video, with some saying it was real and some saying it was scripted.
A comment on Youtube from user HerculeanBreed said it was not fake: “This isn’t fake!! I was a guest in one of this weeding reception. Maroon 5 special number was a surprise,” the post said.
User Chris Pickrell didn’t care: “It’s fake, it’s real, who gives a sh-t it was an awesome video.”
The video was directed by 2005 comedy film “Wedding Crashers” director David Dobkin.
According to a report on ET Online, the video was actually shot in three days. “It was really stressful to arrange all of it, but it was super fun,” Levine told ET. “It felt good to … surprise these people and make them happy.”