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By Grant Melinek
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On Saturday August 4th, Coldplay performed the second of its shows at the Izod Center in East Rutherford New Jersey. With all the showmanship, it became tough to tell at times whether you were at a light show or a rock concert, but either way it was an amazing spectacle to see.

The opening act was UK sensation Emile Sande, who fresh off her performance at the Olympics dazzled the crowd with her wide range and beautiful voice. Performing with a sound of both Leona Lewis and Beyonce, Sande opened with her hit song “Heaven” and amazed the crowd with her perfect pitch and ability to always hold key. Sande has more of an R&B/Pop feel. She provided a great contrast to Coldplay’s alternative tempo and was a great set up for the show. She not only highlighted what an accomplished new artist she is and one who I am sure we will see and hear a lot more of in the US, but also demonstrated that Coldplay has truly great taste in musicians.

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The Chris Martin-led British band, backed by his band mates Guy Berryman playing the bass guitar, Jonny Buckland as the lead guitarist and Will Champion on the drums, was up on stage and in the crowd playing music focused on their multi colored new album “Mylo Xyloto,” while also integrating some of their previous hits. Chris Martin put on a show that proved that music doesn’t just have to be musical; it can and should also be colorful as well.

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I’ve always found Coldplay to be a band that makes music into an art and brings colors to life. This was proven true before the concert began, where Jay-Z’s “99 Problems” boomed out of the speakers, contrasting the more relaxing music that was to come. The band took the stage to the “Back To The Future” theme and then began with the instrumental “Mylo Xyloto” where the woven multicolored “Xylobands” given to the audience as they entered showed their true colors. The wristbands lit up in a sea of colors across the arena during this portion that had the crowd awe struck and put us into a manic state. The lights reappeared during other timed sections of the concert, such as the colorful “Paradise”.

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Coldplay kept the momentum going with their second song “Hurts like Heaven,” where Chris Martin was constantly running around and dancing on stage while singing. With one leap at the chorus, confetti in the shape of birds, hearts and butterflies began shooting out into the crowd. For the next song, “In My Place,” beach balls and confetti rained down from the rafters and were volleyed around the crowd. And on top of all of that, there was the ongoing barrage of lasers and lights that utilized five round video screens — one placed behind the band on stage and four more throughout the arena showcasing the band playing with colorful graphics. It was quite the spectacle.

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Obviously, a show can’t just be all about flashing lights and entertainment. You come to a Coldplay concert for the music, and they delivered. They highlighted their newest album by singing current hits like “Paradise,” “Charlie Brown” and “Princess of China,” (where they had Rihanna on screen) but they also played fan favorites from their older albums such as “Fix You,” “Vida La Vida” and “The Scientist.” Coldplay sang with such heart and compassion it was hard not to find yourself swaying back and forth, even if you didn’t know all of the words. The songs and the spectacle that was Chris Martin co. was entertaining enough that just watching it all unfold would be entertaining to anyone.

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The band further entertained the crowd by leaving the stage and going out into the stands to a makeshift stage where they pleased us with ballads such as “Us Against the World” and “Speed of Sound,” where you could see couples swaying side to side holding each other because of the loving vibe. The concert ended with “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” with the band back on stage jumping around, flashing lights and doing what they do best: putting on a good show. These four guys are so likable it almost impossible not to get sucked in and lose touch with reality for the two hours they were on stage.