SNOW PATROL RETURN TO HOME SOIL FOR SOLD-OUT SHOW AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO

★★★★★ (5/5)

SNOW PATROL PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
PHOTOCREDIT: PAUL STORR

Few bands can craft a night of music as effortlessly beautiful and emotionally stirring as Snow Patrol. Returning to Glasgow, a city that has always embraced them like hometown heroes, the Northern Irish-Scottish outfit delivered an unforgettable performance at the OVO Hydro. Touring in support of their latest album, The Forest Is the Path, the band blended fresh material with their most cherished hits, creating an atmosphere that was both nostalgic and invigorating.

From the moment the opening chords of “Take Back the City” rang out, the crowd was enraptured. The energy in the room was electric, as frontman Gary Lightbody’s signature warm vocals soared over shimmering guitars and pounding drums. “Chocolate” followed swiftly, met with roaring approval from an audience eager to sing along. The anthemic “Called Out in the Dark” kept spirits high before the band dipped into newer territory with “All,” showcasing their ability to seamlessly balance the familiar with the fresh.

Snow Patrol’s journey to becoming one of the UK’s most beloved bands has been one of persistence and reinvention. Formed in 1994 in Dundee, the band initially struggled to break through, releasing two albums that gained critical acclaim but little commercial success. Everything changed in 2003 with Final Straw, an album that propelled them into the mainstream with hits like “Run.” Their following records, including Eyes Open and A Hundred Million Suns, solidified their reputation for crafting emotive, atmospheric rock. While their output has slowed in recent years, The Forest Is the Path marks a triumphant return, proving their songwriting remains as poignant and powerful as ever.

Midway through the set, the band delivered one of the most moving moments of the night with “Set the Fire to the Third Bar.” The haunting duet, originally recorded with Martha Wainwright, was performed beautifully, the melancholic lyrics resonating deeply with the audience. This was followed by the tender “Run,” a song that has only grown more powerful with time, its anthemic chorus transforming the venue into a sea of swaying voices.

New track “The Beginning” fit seamlessly into the set, its sweeping instrumentation a testament to the band's continued evolution. This was followed by the dramatic, multi-part epic “The Lightning Strike (What If This Storm Ends?),” before the uplifting optimism of “Talking About Hope” ushered in a sense of renewal. As the show entered its final stretch, “Open Your Eyes” and “Make This Go On Forever” evoked waves of emotion, their crescendos echoing through the vast space.

As expected, “Chasing Cars” was a highlight of the night. Perhaps one of the most beloved songs of the 21st century, its simple yet deeply affecting melody prompted the entire crowd to sing in unison, a collective voice of thousands filling the Hydro. “You’re All I Have” closed the main set with an exhilarating rush, leaving the audience yearning for more.

Snow Patrol obliged, returning for a stirring encore that began with the delicate beauty of “But I’ll Keep Trying.” The night concluded with “Just Say Yes,” a euphoric finish that saw Lightbody basking in the adoration of the crowd.

Throughout the evening, the connection between the band and their fans was palpable. Every lyric was sung back with devotion, every note met with fervent applause. Snow Patrol’s ability to craft music that feels both intimate and grand remains unmatched. On this night in Glasgow, they reminded us why their songs have soundtracked so many moments of love, loss, and hope. A truly magical performance that will linger in the hearts of those who were there.