Snow Patrol in Birmingham Arena, 25/01/2019
Snow Patrol’s shows are always something else - mostly because of the Gary’s banters, they transform into comedy stand up show. Some might say he was pretty tame with funny chit chats in Birmingham but he did eat a banana in front of the whole audience, between songs (making Johnny McDaid start the song) and offered an explanation that he didn’t measure the time correctly and didn’t eat before the concert. What an absolute legend.
Of course that’s not the only thing that makes their shows so special: it’s that tangible camaraderie between the band members, it’s pure happiness on their faces that spreads all over the arena when whole venue echoes with mighty singalongs and flickers with thousands of lights making it the biggest intimate show, but also it’s the production they bring - they use available technologies to make it something different (screen-veil dividing band from the crowd in this case with all these beautiful animations during this tour, mind blowing lights and screens).
The songs’ selection was both surprising and predictable: loads of older well known stuff making it feel like its the greatest hits show, a nod towards loyal fans, appreciation gesture and a guarantee of fun; nostalgic at times (’You Could Be Happy’, ‘Make This Go On Forever’, ‘Dark Roman Wine’). The “musts” of the playlist in the likes of ‘Chasing Cars’ or ‘Run’. Good opener setting up the mood in a form of ‘Take Back the City’ with animation revealing that fans were in for a treat. Until they were stunned with lights and realized they haven’t seen the best moment of the show yet.
And new songs proving there’s so much more to explore, that Snow Patrol have done it again and they’re better and stronger than ever. That there’s room for epic songs for catchy choruses just as for trembling ballads and they’re fresh, they’re bear Snow Patrol’s signature yet they deliver something slightly different.
And you do believe when you hear Gary say: ‘This is the best gig we’ve ever done’ and you lose yourself in epicness, beauty of the lyrics, joy of the music, the moment...
Speaking of epic moments... It’s only slightly relative, but you can’t deny it was a moment:
The next day. Elevator goes down to the ground floor (with reception/lobby where we were about to eat breakfast). It stops, doors open and as we make first steps out of elevator Snow Patrol’s ‘Chasing Cars’ blasts with “If I lay here!” so perfectly synchronized with our steps we just burst out laughing and savour the moment.
Take Back the City Chocolate Crack the Shutters Empress Don't Give In Open Your Eyes Run You Could Be Happy Life on Earth Make This Go On Forever Shut Your Eyes Heal Me Dark Roman Wine The Lightning Strike (What If This Storm Ends?) Chasing Cars You're All I Have
Encore: What If This Is All the Love You Ever Get? Just Say Yes
Supports
Roe
One girl from Derry, guitar, couple of keyboards, tiny disco ball hanging off one of them, but that’s quite enough to make people move and cheer. Cheerful, playful electro pop arrangements with sweetness of her voice and cheeky, smart lyrics were definitely a fantastic start of the night. Plus overwhelmed and slightly awkward banters. Definitely an artist to watch.
Kodaline
Dublin rock band took over and successfully warmed up the crowd with their energetic set. Folk and pop influenced rock music was really well received. They brought really good vibe. There was also time for intimate, sweet moment when song singer dedicated ‘The One’ to a couple in the audience and adding heartwarming anecdote to it. Absolute pleasure to see them live.
