It’s been a year of comebacks and reunions. I don’t know if the divorce rate is up, rents are rising, or if there’s been a genuine wave of musical inspiration – but it’s great news for live music. The latest big hitters to step back on the stage are Northern Irish stroke Dundonian indie merchants Snow Patrol who are back on the scene after a long time off.
I remember owning ‘Final Straw’ – a purchase that I based entirely on the song ‘Spitting Games’. At the time it was one of the more exciting indie tracks out and I firmly believed it would make Snow Patrol bigger than Coldplay. Can’t win them all. It may have been the monkey paw success of mega hit ‘Chasing Cars’ that switched a lot of people off… pop music shills covering it and having every outlet machine gunning it into our faces. Every TV show, advert, shop, radio station… that song was playing. I’m pretty sure it was pushed as a Christmas song too at one point? The fatigue was real. Maybe now we’ve recovered from the trauma of having what is ultimately an outstanding song forced upon us for so long.
Prior to their stadium tour which sees them play the Hydro in February, Assai Records have put on a much smaller show (support-less) at SWG3 for the superfans. The new album ‘The Forest Is The Path’ came out less than a week ago, so this relatively snug show is a great way to get worked up for it. As tickets were being sold along side physical records, it’s also an amazing way to keep some brick and mortar record stores in existence.
When looking for the timings for the doors, there was a lot of conflicting information online. Was it 6.30 or 8.30? I knew there was no support so either was plausible. As opted for the later possibility and drove to the venue, the long queue of cars coming from the opposite direction made me fear I had not chosen wisely. Turns out that both timings were right as they’re playing two shows tonight and have just finished the first.
Gary Lightbody walks onto the stage looking like a proper songwriter. Long hair that’s a stranger to products, well worn Adidas joggers, no real glamour at all… and that’s what music has been missing for a long time. You don’t have to look at me – just listen.
As Snow Patrol are a three piece (on paper) now, that’s what we have tonight. Guitars and piano. As soon as the lead notes of ‘Chocolate’ flow into the acoustic chords that Gary is playing, you know lack of bass and drums isn’t to anyone’s detriment here. The sound is airy but full while Gary’s vocals just float on top of the instruments. For a relatively big room (we’re in the Galvanizers – biggest room in the building) the acoustic set is sounding amazing with nothing lost up the back.
It is a short set with only eight songs, but we came prepared for that knowing it’s a promo show. The eight songs are belters, though. Obvious fan service going to work with ‘Chocolate’, ‘Run’, and ‘Chasing Cars’, and even I agree that my favorite ‘Spitting Games’ would have been out of place here – so won’t hold its omission against the boys. Two tracks from the new album are played, and I have to say ‘The Beginning’ is a cracking song and makes me excited for Snow Patrol’s return. It’s the same vibe as we’re used to but dragged into the 2020s and they’ve done it perfectly. Finishing on the normally electronic laden ‘Just Say Yes’ proves how good an acoustic set is to really show you the meaning of the song rather than drowning it in buzzy noises.
Tonight proved that Snow Patrol are capable of bringing real songwriting back to the forefront of pop music and the performance was outstanding. Not only do I have the new album on right now – as you should have – but Jan 31st at the Hydro is looking to be a must.
Photos by Catching Light Photography