Coldplay launches “A Head Full of Dreams” tour

Coldplay opened the North American trek of its worldwide “A Head Full of Dreams” stadium farewell tour in vivid technicolor Saturday, painting the landscapes East Rutherford, New Jersey's MetLife Stadium in vibrant lights, balloons, confetti and a larger-than-life show.

Global inclusion and positivity is the central theme of the British quartet's tour, a vibe concert-goers feel immediately as they enter the stadium and are provided with LED wristbands and a button that reads “Love”.

Shortly before Coldplay appeared onstage, Miriam Gauci performed a Puccini aria. A digital roadmap of every country the band has visited- South America, through Europe, England and now America -- filled the screens, accompanied by video of local fans proudly holding their respective flags and introducing the rockers in their native languages. 

Coldplay began the show in spectacular fashion, launching into the track “A Head Full of Dreams” with an explosion of effects usually reserved for a concert's finale. As Martin leaped onto a constructed 50-yard runway, confetti cannons blasted the audience with a wide array of color (in a brilliant twist later, the confetti took on different forms, shaped like birds and stars) into the night as the wristbands lit up in red and fireworks blazed into the sky. The wristband lights -- controlled by backstage wizards timing the lights to the music -- shifted for each song, predictably shining yellow for the song, “Yellow”, but in other instances with varying hues.

The group's biggest hits -- from the upbeat “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” to “Paradise”, complete with the Tiesto dance remix, and plenty of opportunities to jump and dance – was performed.

There were poignant moments as well, as Martin laid out the French flag on the piano in memory of the 84 people slain in Nice, France. President Barack Obama made an appearance (in spirit) with his version of “Amazing Grace”, and a video of an old Muhammad Ali interview was shown on the big screen. Fallen artistes were also honoured with a cover of David Bowie's “Heroes.”

Source: Billboard