Brighton Centre, 18th November 2009
Snow Patrol kicked off their Re-Worked Tour at the Brighton Centre, and with over eleven musicians and instruments including a harp, banjo and glockenspiel, the stage is set for an interesting evening.
The first words of ‘Finish Line’ are introduced with a harp, the stage glows purple and brightens as the drums kick in. The concept of the tour, to re-work already existing songs, is a good one and works well as a way to maintain existing fan’s support and renew interest. The harp sounds beautiful, and the Miriam Corseman’s vocals add depth to ‘Crack the Shutters’ a few songs in.
“This is the combination of, ooh, a weeks work” jokes frontman Gary Lightbody (at least I hope he’s joking.) They play ‘Mahogany’, off the first album, with a mandolin to great effect. Snow Patrol’s stadium rock is a style that lends itself easily to sing-along, and before long this is where we are, it has the feel of a festival, although lighters in the air are largely replaced by digital camera screens, the glowing squares of which are dotted across the venue like windows at night.
The second half of the gig is more upbeat, and we are ordered to “Stand up, stretch your glutes” as everyone starts dancing. Lightbody sings the opening line “You could be happy, I hope you are” – and an organ and plucked violins create a powerful scene as the lanky besuited figure conducts the string section. With the lapsteel and soaring electric guitar on ‘Run’, everybody in the venue is clapping. ‘Chasing Cars’ gets a strong crowd reaction and Lightbody beams a smile out. As the crowd sing word for word it serves as a reminder of the communal power of music – the pink fingers of light scooping over the audience, the gig comes to an uplifting conclusion to comfort even the most extreme cynic. Feel the love.
Words by Lizzie Simner
myspace.com/snowpatrol
