After the band completed recording Eyes Open in 2005 and their breakthrough success with Chasing Cars played on popular TV series such as Grey’s Anatomy and The O.C, Snow Patrol returned to our shores again after selling out their first two Australian tours. Playing another sold out show in Sydney, this was a concert not to be missed, well worth the wait, after playing at Splendour in the Grass 2006.
Opening for the show, were Sydney’s Red Riders, after recording their first album Replica Replica in late October, 2006, wearing long sleeved shirts buttoned up to their throats and funny hairstyles. Playing their indie rock tunes – A.S.P.I.R.I.N., In My Sleep, and the recently released My Love is Stronger than Your Love, to a crowd of restless impatient Snow Patrol fans. Throughout their act, lead singer Alexander Grigg, danced rapturously, quivering and shaking, his curly hair waving side to side. Amidst the band’s live set, their music was not enough to get the crowd moving. There were groups of ladies dancing to the beat of the music, but chatter could also be heard. It wasn’t until the Red Riders’ single Slide in next To Me, receiving much airplay on Triple J, and also being voted in at number 96 on the Hottest 100 countdown, that the crowd decided to create some movement.
Well into the show, Howling Bells front woman, Juanita Stein, strolled onto the stage, along with the three other members of the Australian band now based in England. Their musical style ranging from pop, rock, country to blues. Howling Bells definitely motivated the crowd with their ruffled harmonies, and distorted guitars. Juanita Stein’s spellbinding vocals mesmerised the crowd, every eye in the house was fixed on the Howling Bells. One of the first tracks they played off their debut album, Howling Bells, was Blessed Night, guitarist Joel Stein gesturing towards the roadies to turn up the instrument’s volume, causing heavy bass, resonating the Hordern, and a few exhorts from the audience. The crowd swayed and danced along to the country-inspired sounds of Velvet Girl, Setting Sun, and Broken Bones. Closing their set with their first single, Low Happening, that has the most distinguished features, and haunting feeling.
After a long wait, frantic Snow Patrol fans heartened the venue with loud cheers and whistles to welcome the Scottish lads on stage, while a spectacular vivid light show burnished the venue. Opening their show with a number of songs from Final Straw including Spitting Games (which blended into the light show’s tune), Wow, Chocolate, and Run sending the crowd into a roaring state of excitement. Lead singer and guitarist Gary Lightbody, made jokes about koalas, and an anecdote about spiders that impressed the crowd. Lightbody performed a good show with a mix of amusement and music all in one. Playing astonishing hits from Eyes Open including It’s Beginning to get to me, Make This Go on Forever, Headlights on Dark Roads and the tranquil ballad The Finish Line.
When the time came for Snow Patrol to play Chasing Cars, Lightbody introduced drummer Jonny Quinn’s understudy due to Jonny’s broken arm. Lightbody told a quick story, then broke into a stunning performance of the song made popular by TV series Grey’s Anatomy, that has become Snow Patrol’s very own anthem. Surprisingly, the song was played relatively early in their set. The entire audience of a couple thousand joined in singing to the slow melancholy ballad, made lively by Lightbody. Everyone in the audience knew the catchy lyrics to the song, especially the whiny teenage girls scattered around the venue. An unexpected performance of Set the Fire to the Third Bar was delivered pleasingly, with Melbourne singer Laura Jean to fill Martha Wainwright’s position. The song was complete with Nathan Connolly’s backing vocals. The acoustic guitar used in the performance was effective, accomplishing the perfect melody.
All in all Snow Patrol delivered a versatile performance full of invigorating sound matched with melodic tunes, and sensational instrument and vocals, finishing the show with an encore of You’re All I have, Hands Open, and Tiny Little Fractures. Despite Gary Lightbody’s case of the flu, Snow Patrol still managed to perform a marvelous Hands Open for the punters, with the audience singing most of the lyrics. Closing the show with three encores, Snow Patrol left the crowd in articulate awe and admiration, with fans still cheering and howling as Snow Patrol exited the stage. It really was a show to savour.
BLOCPARTY
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