Review by Paul Adams
Tonight in Belfast at their Belsonic debut show, Snow Patrol put on what will likely be one of the biggest nights in Northern Ireland’s music history– and it has sent social media into a spin.
22,000 people made their way to Ormeau Park to see Snow Patrol, on what would be one of the warmest days of the year. As the smoke filled the stage, they made their entrance, opening with ‘Take Back the City’. The crowd’s reaction to those first chords said it all.
From one huge hit to another we were then treated to the anthemic “Chocolate”, which was well received by the crowd tonight who were in amazing form.
Another fan favourite, “Called out in the Dark”, saw the boys firing on all cylinders and enjoying every moment, as they are met with the adoring stares of 22,000 fans.
Next up was “Run”, filling Ormeau Park with haunting and sentimental tones. This is where we first get a taster of their magnificent stage show.
‘The Beginning’ and ‘Crack the Shutters’ are next and once again the Belfast crowd sing along in harmony with the Band. What I will say, is that Gary seemed somewhat overwhelmed and emotional during the show. No doubt proud to be performing in his homeland.
Snow Patrol never fail to deliver fan favourites, as they roll into ‘All’, and then ‘The Lightning Strike (What if the Storm Ends?)’ and ‘Open your Eyes’. Once again Gary’s voice was matched by the enthusiastic Belfast Choir.
The ease in which the legendary Snow Patrol command the stage , and how they project their sound, is demonstrated in their performance of, ‘Make This Go On Forever’ and ‘Shut Your Eyes’. The next song, ‘Heal Me’, personally gives me chills and has helped me get through some hard times in my life.
Emotions continue to run high as “Chasing Cars” comes to life. The mighty Snow Patrol, one band in one night, has reflected my life from past to present. As this songs states ” just forget the world” and this again is what music does. No matter what is happening in your life, as you walk through those venue gates the world is left behind. It is not lost on me that the person standing next to me, has had a really tough time recently and the smile on their face tells its own story, a story that music can change anything.
For the encore we get, for me, the stand out track from “Wildness”, in “What If This Is All the Love You Ever Get”. If these lyrics told a true story, everyone here would be happy with the end result, especially as we are all too happy to help out on those high pitched notes.
To finish tonight we have fans favourite “Just Say Yes ” and once again , 22000 people took the chorus and sung to the end ,remarkable.
Tonight was eye-opening for me, and I can confirm that Snow Patrol are back with a bang and bigger than ever. As an fantastic evening comes to an end, the Belfast Skies light up with an amazing fireworks display. Until next time Snow Patrol.
Photography by Darren Mcveigh
