It was like a scene out of a Batman movie. Spotlights sporting the Vertical Horizon symbol tickled the ceiling of Hilton Coliseum, taunting the onlookers at Saturday’s “Veishea Center Stage.” Soon the call was answered, and pop-rockers Vertical Horizon blasted on stage in a sea of lights. The band opened the set with an overheated version of “Finding Me” from its fourth album, “Everything You Want.”

After a quick greeting to the nearly empty venue, lead singer/guitarist Matt Scannel guided his band into their second major radio hit “You’re A God.”

It was evident that there were more people interested in drinking in their dorm rooms than coming out to see a pop-rock act spew forth the latest brew in modern music.

The low number of warm bodies in the seats seemed to affect the energy of the band, and even though Scannel got his fans to sing along with him, he really didn’t connect until the band pounded out a powerful stadium-sized ending to the song.

The band also reached back in its catalog, pulling out songs from earlier, acoustic-driven albums, but transforming them into energetic assaults where Scannel got to show off his axe-slinging skills.

Later the band came together ending the song “All Of You” with an improvised “Sweet Emotion” chorus – Aerosmith-style.

Perhaps one of the craftier songs of the night was “Best I Ever Had,” the band’s latest single. Scannel sang his heart out under a pretty pastel wash of Easter egg colors.

Vertical Horizon’s strongpoint was their ability to work off the emotional highs and lows of the show. The band weaved easily from soft, slow rock ballads into angry, sharp-edged guitar-driven songs.

Just when it seemed that things were slowing down, Scannel pounded on his guitar while co-guitarist Keith Kane took over vocals on “Shackles.”

One aspect about this band is the fact that, sonically, their live show reaches levels unattainable in the studio. Their talent comes through more clearly, proving that, musically, Vertical Horizon isn’t factory-made, but rather crafted through years of hard work.

This decade-old foursome proved that with a 10-minute jam session, which featured the plucking skills of bassist Sean Hurley while drummer Ed Toth provided the backbeat. Scannel even added his own flair, winding down the song with “My Favorite Things” from “The Sound Of Music.”

Finally the band gave the people what they wanted, ending the set with the hit single, “Everything You Want.” But the people wanted more, so Vertical Horizon took the stage once more, ending the show with a two-song encore including a cover of U2’s “Beautiful Day.”

The only problem with Vertical Horizon’s picture-perfect show was the fact that they seemed to be distanced from the audience. There was never really a connection between superstar and fan, as most people stood around with their hands in their pockets. This isn’t Vertical Horizon’s fault, however – they played their hearts out. They were just in the wrong venue, and couldn’t give people a chance to let loose and have fun.

Opening the show were roots-rockers Five For Fighting. Frontman John Ondrasik pulled off some un-kosher arena rock tactics, as he bantered and ranted between songs about what they were about.

Still for the most part the band put together some well-written songs like the seductive, “Bloody Mary” and the lonely “Jainy.”

Ondrasik switched from acoustic guitar to keyboard between songs, and sometimes during, giving them a bigger, more sensual sound, which echoed loudly off the empty seats.

To connect with his audience, Ondrasik invited two girls on stage to dance claiming it was “all about rock and roll.” Well so is entertaining the audience, but that didn’t seem to happen.

After playing his favorite song, “Secret Man,” during which he summoned the vocal prowess of Eddie Vedder, Ondrasik and company rocked through the politically edgy tune “Last Great American.”

Overall, the concert had a comforting, relaxing feel to it. But that shouldn’t have been the goal. It only proves that once again the Veishea committee has failed to provide the “Iowa State community” with the kind of entertainment needed to have non-alcoholic fun.