This sounds crazy, but there’s something extra-authentic about folk music when it comes from someone with an Irish accent. Maybe it’s because of The Corrs and my obsession with them in the ’90s, I’m not sure. In any case, Dublin’s Sorcha Richardson, charged with opening tonight’s show, fits the Irish folk mould perfectly, primarily on the stripped-down acoustic of Spotlight Television, Smiling Like an Idiot, and set closer Shark Eyes.
Either Sorcha or bandmate Ben trigger a drum machine to add a little meat to the folk bones on songs such as First Prize Bravery and Don’t Talk About It. Sorcha clearly enjoys her 30-minute debut Montreal show as much as the crowd does: “It’s my first time in Montreal, the weather’s amazing, blue skies and sunshine!” If only she knew…
Sorcha Richardson Setlist
1. Spotlight Television
2. Smiling Like an Idiot
3. First Prize Bravery
4. Adam
5. Map of Manhattan
6. Don’t Talk About It
7. Shark Eyes
It was May 2001 when I saw Snow Patrol the first time in Liverpool, a punky garage-rock band opening for the mighty Ash (mighty only on the other side of the pond, sadly). Their metamorphosis into adult rock came just a couple of years later with the release of 2003 opus Final Straw, and in my mind, the transition to their “modern era.” A modern era that covers 22 years in my brain!! Wow, I am old.
After a giant “Montreal” projection lights up the back of stage in the colour scheme of their newest record The Forest Is the Path, the UK 5-piece arrive on stage and dive headlong into Take Back the City, a blazing rock-out complete with triple harmonies from frontman Gary Lightbody and guitarists Nathan Connolly and Johnny McDaid, who is playing this tour with two broken hands (Gary dedicates Talking About Hope to him by way of tribute later in the set!).
Despite being in the cavernous Olympia, the show feels super intimate throughout. Gary regularly drops off the mic to let the crowd sing chunks of songs, such as Called Out in the Dark and Open Your Eyes, and of course, the two songs that probably brought 99.9% of the room to this band in the first place. 2003’s Run will always be my favourite, a building epic that still brings tears to the eyes when that chorus pours out; there’s more than a few sniffles around the room by the time it’s done.
2006’s Chasing Cars still sounds amazing too, its delicate introduction drawing another deafening singalong that eventually gets drowned out as the song explodes but returns as the song starts to wind down. Gary grins at the reaction throughout; it must be like this every night, but he still looks genuinely thrilled at the experience. He smiles even more when the customary “olé olé olé” chants beckon them back to the stage for the encore: “There’s not a lot that makes me speechless, but that did!”
The show is not a smorgasbord of visual effects by any means, so when they do arrive, they land well. The Beginning sees a huge black hole surrounded by a swirling ring of fire projected on the screen, which creates a spooky mood that is promptly followed by dim orange light on The Lightning Strike (What If This Storm Ends?), then more projected swirling lights as Gary and Nathan shred their guitars. Yeah, Snow Patrol shred; I’m not even kidding.
The flashing strobe bars on show closer Just Say Yes help to end the 90-minute show in euphoric manner too.
And when it does end, and the band depart for good, all that remains is a simple heart beamed to the back of the stage with “Montreal” written right in the middle. Aww, you guys! The feeling is mutual!
Snow Patrol Setlist
1. Take Back the City
2. Chocolate
3. Called Out in the Dark
4. All
5. Crack the Shutters
6. Run
7. The Beginning
8. The Lightning Strike (What If This Storm Ends?)
9. Talking About Hope
10. Open Your Eyes
11. Make This Go On Forever
12. Shut Your Eyes
13. Heal Me
14. Chasing Cars
15. You’re All I Have
Encore
16. What If This Is All the Love You Ever Get?
17. Just Say Yes
Review – Simon Williams
Photos – Alex Distaulo
