Snow Patrol brought their A-Game last night to Irving Plaza in New York City. Riding high in the UK with hits like “Spitting Games” and the anthemic, lighter-in-the-hand epic “Run”, they were playing the new role of overeager underdog, albeit, in front of a flag-waving, anglo-friendly NYC crowd. Playing mostly from their current album, Final Straw, their sound hovers somewhere between the Doves, the Verve and Coldplay. The lads play straight ahead pop tunes, great songwriting combined with great guitars. Highlights were “Wow”, the aforementioned “Spitting Games”, and a song with a vocal loop in the beginning I have not heard before. Awesome tune. They also included some songs off their two previous records including “Black and Blue” and a cool b-side, “Post Punk Progression”. The sound system really showcased the vocals, no swampy mix. When they slowed it down for a song like “Run”, you can close your eyes and picture yourself at Glastonbury with 70,000 fans singing in unison, major buzz.
Exiting the stage, post encore, lead singer Gary Lightbody told the crowd he’d be back to New York soon for another tour. Definitely not in a venue of that size. Next stop, the enormo-dome of record success.
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