Ward Park 2010 - Snow Patrol
Where: Main Stage
When: 9:15pm
Describe in a tweet: ÌýMassive but small
There's a cartoon sketch ATL commissioned a while back that teases Snow Patrol about the countless number of 'BEST. GIG. EVER.'s they've done and the seemingly endless homecomings. It tickled Gary Lightbody, who admitted he got the joke. Headline appearances at The Empire, The Ulster Hall, The Odyssey and Ward Park (let alone similar shows in Scotland) have all came and gone. But there was something genuinely special about today - as we've constantly reminded ourselves, this is the single biggest show to take place in Northern Ireland. Ever.
U2? U2 are now in second place.
So that look on his face is genuine. 'Open Your Eyes' is performed by a band struggling to take it all in. 'Take Back the City' gets 40,000 people singing, which helps. By 'Chocolate', we're watching a band tricking us once again that this is somehow the norm. They belong here.
It's a spectacle. All potential profit has been spent on big screens, ludicrous light shows, lazers and fireworks. This is a thank you. But for anyone thinking about the pomposity of U2's Botanic Garden show, 'You Could be Happy' is here to help. Sweet and naked, it exposes a bunch of local lads who have beautiful songs that were never meant for 40,000 people to hear all at once. An early highlight.
'Spitting Games' is pulled back and drenched with strings (twenty-odd musicans will take to the stage during tonight's show) while Lisa Hannigan out-Martha's Martha Wainwright for 'Set the Fire to the Third Bar'. Another moment.
'The Planets Bend Between Us' gives Nathan Connolly his chance to show off his epic guitar poses before 'Chasing Cars' is sung by the entire town. Thankfully it doesn't steal the show.
You Are My Joy: All the way through, Gary has been making mini oscar speeches, thanking family members, support acts and crew. And so they should - by the time those lazers are hammering the skyline and the word YES is screaming from the big screens we know this was everything we hoped for. They pulled it off.
Shut Your Eyes: Is it now tedious, predictable and pointless to complain about the lack of early material? Possibly. But we're adamant 'Olive Grove' would have soared. Still.
Ward Park Rating: 10. Just... wonderful.
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