I have just got back from the Albert Hall where I have been watching Snow Patrol perform a mammoth three hour set:-
Unbelievable.
I have seen a lot of bands perform at the Albert Hall in my time – it’s my all time favourite venue and I have to say that they were right up there with the best of them – I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen an audience respond so naturally and willingly to a band in the usually relatively stuffy environment and Gary Lightbody, the lead singer created such a lovely informal atmosphere that the audience just went with him – oozing enthusiasm, standing for most of the second set and dancing and singing away – I have never seen the Albert Hall so alive and it was lovely to know that the band were simply delighted to be there. Shortly after starting Gary said ” I could not possibly be happier, this has been a dream of ours for a very long time – thanks for sharing it with us”. He was just in raptures about being at the Albert Hall and at one point said “I love this wedding cake of a building. I want to marry it and take it on honeymoon to the Maldives, but I probably wouldn’t get it on the plane”….
I love Snow Patrol and when their first album came out I was one of the many women who thought the beautifully poetic lyrics were written just for me. My choice of friend for the evening was not difficult – she was just as convinced as I was that the lyrics had been written specifically for her – we argued for months and months about it. I’m surprised we’re still friends.
It was a simple set, but it worked. Gary was incredibly charismatic and it felt like “an audience with” – intimate and personal and he completely engaged with the crowd. He might be shit at playing the guitar (his words) but he has the voice of a god. They played all the songs I wanted to hear – I can’t be arsed to list them – each of them sounding just as I would want a live version to sound – stripped back to just the voice and a harp in some instances.
It’s not often you see punters actually standing on the seats of the Albert Hall:-
I spent the whole evening fluctuating between wanting to shag him senseless and wanting to be his mum – which I pretty much think sums up the stereotypical midlife crisis – or maybe it just sums up what a weird place I am currently in. How old is he? Can I change my mind and try being a Cougar for a minute after all? His mother was in the audience. He acknowledged her and then said “thanks mum” in a wonderfully meaningful “thanks for everything” sort of way and I was thinking “aaaah how lovely and then I couldn’t help wondering how I would feel if my son were up on stage performing – would I be immensely proud or scared shitless on their behalf?”…
If I had one criticism, it was the moment when they got a bit carried away with being in such an impressive building. They wanted to test the acoustics in the Albert Hall and sang an “unplugged” version of a song – up in the Gods it was way too quiet – he sounded like a pea in a muffled pod.
Apart from that it was brilliant. It was a great performance. We loved it. The band were vibrant and Gary was funny, warm, engaging and well, where was my after show invitation?
“Lulu Lightbody” – I think it’s got a lovely ring to it but my competitive friend, who was obviously jealous because her name didn’t sound nearly as good said it made me sound like a stripper.
November 25th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Sounds like a great evening. No1 Daughter has just announced that under no circumstances will she miss Snow Patrol in concert next year. I enjoyed them at the Children in Need concert, especially singing with Cheryl Cole. It just worked!
November 25th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Yes, I heard his duet with Cheryl was really good….I missed it. Yes. Make sure she doesn’t miss them they were great Lx
November 25th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Much respect!! I am in awe at how much you manage to get out…l guess living where you do helps…one would have to live a snail like existence to not go out!!
AM still waiting for my rufus tickets!!
November 25th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Rufus will be great at the Albert Hall – Snow Patrol did a Martha Wainrwright song last night with a very brave duet from James (the mate in the Gavin and Stacey show) He was brilliant Lx
November 25th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Three words; Original, Talented, Thrilling. We saw Snow Patrol at The Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday night. Gary Lightbody’s voice was astounding, sounding live as wonderful as it does when recorded on an album, taking full advantage of the amazing acoustics at the Hall. Most of the songs were merely accompanied by a single Harpist or the incredible edifice which is the Royal Albert Hall Organ. Run was performed with brilliance, causing the little hairs to stand up on my back; the entire audience singing along with every word. The highlight, however, had to be the appearance of Gavin & Stacey’s James Corden. According to Lightbody they had drunkenly joked about him joining him on stage at the Hall to sing in place of Martha Wainright on the duet ‘Set the fire to the third bar’. A nervous Corden took to the stage and embraced Lightbody with an enormous and somewhat fearful hug before taking to the microphone. Expecting something kind of jovial to come out of his mouth it was to everyone’s surprise that he sang beautifully and the whole set piece was a dream, one you couldn’t take your eyes off! In between songs Gary Lightbody had the personality of an endearing and modern Irish standup comedian and completely embraced the audience and was clearly in awe of finally performing in the Albert Hall after dreaming of doing so since he was a small child. He didn’t appear to take one moment of the three hour appearance for granted soaking in every moment himself. His mother was in the audience and gave a very shy ‘hello’ when pointed out in the crowd by Lightbody…what a very proud mother she must be! A fabulous night to remember and recommended to anyone who loves not just Snow Patrol for their studio recorded albums but for the fact that they really are original and talented musicians.
November 25th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Nice take on a brilliant evening. I was close enough to enjoy the mike-less “An Olive Grove Facing the Sea” (guitar and trumpet accompanied, not acapella) but the acoustics were not quite as good as Gary would have wished. Still, it took balls to try and he did have the whole of the Albert Hall eating out of his hand. Simply stunning show.
Skydeb x
November 26th, 2009 at 4:15 am
aw am JEALOUS! although i went to watch opera last night at mr b’s georgian mansion. promise. it really is one. in the forest near usa. i didn;t really understand anything and longed for a tenor…still. not bad for a night out in A town. bloody knackered this morning. and oh you made me laugh lulu lightbody! xx j
November 26th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Lulu Lightbody is a lovely name I think….sounds like real competition for Penelope Pittstop Lx
January 10th, 2010 at 7:50 am
It’s a nice post, but I see stuff like this all over the net. I just wonder if it’s gotten too big that you can t even find anything new and interesging anymore. Nice post, tho..