On September 20, 2025, the iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas became the stage for an unforgettable moment in music history. As 25,000 fans roared with anticipation, Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and country superstar Blake Shelton took the stage together for the first time ever, delivering a jaw-dropping mashup of Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” and Michael Bublé’s “Home” (famously covered by Shelton). The emotionally charged performance blended pop-rock sensuality with country soul, creating a genre-crossing duet that had the entire arena singing along. With playful banter—Levine joking, “I never thought I’d sing a country ballad with a guy in cowboy boots,” and Shelton retorting, “And I never thought I’d groove to Maroon 5!”—the duo’s chemistry, built on their longtime friendship from The Voice, electrified the night. This 1,900-word article dives into the iconic performance, explores the duo’s history, analyzes the festival’s impact, and highlights why this moment became one of the most talked-about in iHeartRadio’s history.

The iHeartRadio Music Festival 2025: A Star-Studded Spectacle

The iHeartRadio Music Festival, now in its 15th year, is renowned for its genre-spanning lineups and surprise collaborations. The 2025 edition, held September 20–21 at T-Mobile Arena, featured heavyweights like Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, Billie Eilish, and Post Malone, alongside rising stars like Benson Boone and Teddy Swims. Streamed live on Hulu and broadcast across iHeartRadio stations, the festival drew millions of viewers, with Billboard reporting a peak audience of 12.5 million for the first night. But it was the Levine-Shelton duet on Saturday that stole the show, trending globally on X with hashtags like #AdamAndBlake and #iHeart2025.

The performance came during a set celebrating The Voice’s 25th season, which premiered September 23, 2025. Levine, who returned as a coach after a six-year hiatus, and Shelton, a 23-season veteran who stepped away in 2023, were introduced by host Ryan Seacrest as “the ultimate bromance.” The crowd erupted as the two strode onstage—Levine in a sleek black jacket, Shelton in his signature plaid shirt and cowboy boots. “Man, I’ve waited years to do this with you!” Levine shouted, grinning at Shelton, who tipped his hat and replied, “Let’s give ‘em something to talk about, buddy!” What followed was a performance bursting with heart, surprises, and musical synergy.

The Performance: A Genre-Crossing Masterpiece

The duet began with the sultry opening chords of “Girls Like You,” Maroon 5’s 2018 hit featuring Cardi B, which spent 36 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Levine’s smooth falsetto carried the verse, with Shelton harmonizing subtly, adding a warm, country-tinged depth. As the song transitioned into “Home,” a 2005 ballad Shelton covered in 2011, the arena fell silent, captivated by their seamless blend. Shelton’s rich baritone took the lead, while Levine’s harmonies soared, creating a sound that was both intimate and anthemic. The mashup, arranged specifically for the festival, wove the songs’ themes of love and longing into a cohesive narrative, with the T-Mobile Arena’s LED screens flashing starry visuals to match.

Mid-performance, the duo’s banter brought levity. Levine teased, “I never thought I’d sing a country ballad with a guy in cowboy boots,” prompting laughter from the crowd. Shelton fired back, “And I never thought I’d groove to Maroon 5!” The exchange, captured in a viral TikTok clip with 4.2 million views, showcased their effortless rapport, honed over years on The Voice. The performance peaked with a crowd singalong, as 25,000 fans joined in on “Home’s” chorus, their voices amplified by the arena’s acoustics. Rolling Stone called it “a genre-defying moment that felt like a musical hug,” while Variety praised the “stunning harmonies that bridged pop and country.”

The duet ended with Levine and Shelton embracing onstage, prompting a standing ovation. A surprise guest appearance by Gwen Stefani, Shelton’s wife and a The Voice coach, added an extra layer of magic, as she joined them for a brief encore of “Nobody But You,” their 2020 duet. The trio’s chemistry sent X into a frenzy, with @MusicFanatic22 tweeting, “Adam, Blake, and Gwen together? My heart can’t handle this! #iHeart2025.”

The Levine-Shelton Bromance: A The Voice Legacy

The performance was a celebration of Levine and Shelton’s friendship, forged during their overlapping 16 seasons on The Voice (2011–2019). Their playful rivalry—Levine’s pop-rock swagger versus Shelton’s country charm—became a hallmark of the show, with iconic moments like their 2014 lip-sync battle (Shelton’s take on “Tainted Love” was a fan favorite). Offscreen, they bonded over shared experiences as music industry veterans. In a 2024 PEOPLE interview, Levine called Shelton “the brother I never had,” while Shelton told Billboard, “Adam’s the guy I call when I need to laugh or figure out life.”

Their reunion at iHeartRadio was especially poignant given their The Voice journeys. Levine left after Season 16 in 2019, citing burnout, but returned for Season 25, telling E! News, “I missed the chaos of that show.” Shelton stepped away after Season 23 in 2023, focusing on music and his Ole Red bar chain, but hinted at a possible return in a CMT interview. Their duet was a nod to fans who’ve followed their banter for over a decade, with Reddit’s r/TheVoice buzzing about “the Adam-Blake reunion we didn’t know we needed.”

Why the Duet Was a Cultural Moment

Bridging Genres in a Polarized World

The mashup of “Girls Like You” and “Home” transcended genre boundaries, uniting pop and country fans in a divided cultural landscape. Country music, often seen as conservative, and pop-rock, associated with urban audiences, rarely share stages outside award shows. Levine and Shelton’s collaboration, blending Maroon 5’s sleek production with Shelton’s soulful twang, showed music’s power to connect. The New York Times noted, “In a world pulling apart, Adam and Blake reminded us music can pull us together.” Fans on X echoed this, with @HarmonyVibes tweeting, “Pop and country in one song? Adam and Blake just broke the internet.”

A Nostalgic Yet Fresh Performance

For millennials who grew up with One Tree Hill and early Maroon 5, the duet tapped into nostalgia while feeling contemporary. Levine, 46, and Shelton, 49, brought seasoned artistry to the stage, with their harmonies polished by years of experience. The inclusion of “Home,” a song about longing, resonated with fans post-COVID, while “Girls Like You” added a modern pop edge. Vulture called it “nostalgia done right,” noting the duo’s ability to honor their roots while pushing boundaries. On Reddit, u/MusicLover88 wrote, “This felt like 2005 and 2025 at the same time—pure magic.”

The Power of Friendship

The duet’s emotional core was Levine and Shelton’s genuine bond. Their banter—Levine mocking Shelton’s boots, Shelton teasing Maroon 5’s “groove”—felt unscripted, reflecting a friendship that transcends fame. In a Rolling Stone interview, Levine said, “Blake’s the guy who keeps me grounded. We’ve been through it all together.” This authenticity resonated with fans, who flooded X with posts like @FanGirlVibes: “Adam and Blake’s friendship is the real MVP of #iHeart2025.” The moment also highlighted The Voice’s lasting impact, with Seacrest noting, “These two made the show a family.”

The iHeartRadio Festival’s Broader Impact

The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Festival solidified its status as a cultural juggernaut. Day 1 featured Dua Lipa and The Weeknd, with a surprise duet between Post Malone and Chris Stapleton. Day 2 included Billie Eilish and a virtual performance by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, streamed from London. The Levine-Shelton duet, however, was the standout, generating 2.5 million social media mentions within 24 hours, per Mashable. The festival’s Hulu stream reached 15 million households, and iHeartRadio’s broadcast hit 200+ stations, per Pollstar. The event also raised funds for iHeartRadio’s charity initiatives, supporting music education and disaster relief.

The duet’s virality boosted both artists’ profiles. Maroon 5’s Jordi (2021) and Shelton’s For Recreational Use Only (2024) saw streaming spikes of 20% and 15%, respectively, per Spotify Wrapped data. Fans on Reddit speculated about a potential joint single, with u/ConcertGoer22 writing, “If Adam and Blake don’t record this mashup, it’s a crime.” The performance also fueled buzz for The Voice Season 25, with Levine’s return alongside coaches Reba McEntire, John Legend, and Snoop Dogg.

Challenges and Context

Performing at a festival of this scale isn’t without risks. T-Mobile Arena’s acoustics can be challenging, but the duet’s stripped-down arrangement avoided pitfalls, per Sound & Vision. The logistical complexity of coordinating a surprise collaboration, especially with Stefani’s cameo, required meticulous planning. Activated Events, the festival’s producer, ensured seamless execution, with Billboard praising their “flawless production.” Some fans on X, like @CriticX, noted the duet’s brevity (under six minutes), wishing for a longer set, but most agreed its impact was undeniable.

The performance also came amid a busy year for both artists. Levine is balancing The Voice and Maroon 5’s 2025 world tour, while Shelton is preparing for the ABQ Smoke Show in Albuquerque (August 8-9, 2025). Their ability to deliver a show-stopping moment despite packed schedules underscores their professionalism, with Variety calling them “masters of the live stage.”

Looking Ahead: A Lasting Legacy

The Levine-Shelton duet is already being hailed as one of iHeartRadio’s most iconic moments, alongside Kanye West’s 2015 performance and Alicia Keys’ 2019 set. Fans on X are clamoring for a studio version of the mashup, with @MusicDreamer tweeting, “Release ‘Girls Like You/Home’ or we riot! #AdamAndBlake.” There’s also speculation about future collaborations, with Reddit’s r/TheVoice suggesting a The Voice finale appearance. Both artists have teased more surprises, with Shelton telling CMT, “You never know what’s next with me and Adam,” and Levine hinting at “something special” in a PEOPLE interview.

The moment’s broader impact lies in its celebration of music’s unifying power. In a polarized 2025, with political and cultural divides dominating headlines, Levine and Shelton’s duet offered a moment of joy and connection. The Atlantic noted, “Their performance reminded us that music can still bring us together, no matter the genre.” As The Voice continues to evolve and both artists pursue new projects, their iHeartRadio moment will endure as a testament to friendship and artistry.

Conclusion

Adam Levine and Blake Shelton’s first-ever duet at the iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 20, 2025, was a magical blend of pop and country, heart and humor. Their mashup of “Girls Like You” and “Home,” punctuated by playful banter and stunning harmonies, electrified 25,000 fans and millions online, becoming an instant classic. Rooted in their The Voice friendship, the performance showcased their ability to bridge genres and connect with audiences. With Gwen Stefani’s surprise cameo and a viral response on X and TikTok, the moment solidified their status as music icons. As Shelton prepares for the ABQ Smoke Show and Levine tours with Maroon 5, their Las Vegas duet will linger as a highlight of 2025. Stream The Voice on Peacock or catch their music on Spotify to relive the magic—and stay tuned for what these two legends do next.