Snow Patrol (gig)

Snow Patrol
Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park (19th February, 2007)

Snow Patrol pulled all the right moves; a fun lead singer in Gary Lightbody, a band that rocked out and a fantastic light display. My heart didn't feel in it, though. I'm not sure whether it was because it was a Monday (and a Monday following a weekend of events at that) or whether it was something to do with the venue or the crowd.

The venue was the Hordern Pavilion, which I'd never been to before. Firstly, it is a shit to get to cos you have to take a bus from the city or hike through Surry Hills for half an hour. Secondly, it is pretty much square with a big pit in the middle for the moshers and tiered seating around the perimeter. The side seats have quite an angle on them for stage viewing and the back seats seem too far away. It was unreserved so I chose a seat to the right of the stage that was close enough for my myopic eyes but far enough for the angle not to matter so much.

The crowd was about 50% screaming teenage girls, the rest were older or blokes. The funniest pair of teens was a girl wearing a pair of trannie shoes - the really high peep-toe ones in patent black leather - and her friend, who looked to be wearing a white shirt as a dress. Fortunately the lady next to me thought it was as hilarious as I did and we conducted a conversation about the ubiquitous display of empire line/baby doll dresses and tops and the use of shorts as eveningwear (I said shorts were fine for a concert but shouldn't be allowed in restaurants).

I want a stupid 'I was here first' moment. The first Snow Patrol album I bought was Songs for Polarbears in the UK a couple of years back. Sure, they weren't 'new' then, but they certainly hadn't gained much currency in Australia. Then 'Run' from Final Straw came out in Australia when I arrived home. Then The O fucking C put 'Chasing Cars' on their stupid show and suddenly that entire demographic claimed that Snow Patrol were their favourite band. I want to ask Mr Lightbody why they didn't play any old stuff (like 'Absolute Gravity', which is one of my favourite songs). All the new songs made it feel very much like a pop setting for what is essentially a rock band. Sigh. I'll get over myself one day.

So it was a competent concert without a Hell Yes moment. 'Set The Fire To The Third Bar' was nicely done (that song and 'Hands Open' are my faves from the new album) but it was lacking... something. If there is a next time for me, maybe next time they will have it and I will find it.

*** 1/2 - A Babel score = didn't reach its full potential.

P.S: A note about spiders. Gary had an anecdote about going to the park and looking for venomous spiders (because all tourists are aware of the Aussie reputation re: dangerous creatures). This I found to be a large coincidence because my friend Beq, who introduced me to Snow Patrol when I stayed with her in the UK, was recently bitten by a spider and was prescribed bedrest and antibiotics for three days. So there.