RECAP: SNOW PATROL KICKS OFF NORTH AMERICAN TOUR IN VANCOUVER

Snow Patrol, the acclaimed Northern Irish-Scottish rock band from Bangor, Northern Ireland, kicked off their highly anticipated 2025 North American tour last night at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. This was the first of 14 stops across the continent. This show was their tenth-ever Vancouver performance and first in nearly 6 years at this very venue, rekindled the band's long lasting relationship with fans who had eagerly awaited their return.

Photos by Tage Stenner / Backspin Canada

The night kicked off with Sorcha Richardson who is an Irish singer-songwriter known for her introspective lyrics, indie-pop sound, and quietly powerful storytelling. Originally from Dublin, she spent several years in Brooklyn honing her craft before returning home and releasing her debut album First Prize Bravery in 2019. Her music blends soft synths, dreamy guitars, and heartfelt vocals, often exploring themes of youth, love, nostalgia, and self-discovery. Think of her as the lyrical cousin to artists like Phoebe Bridgers or Clairo, but with a distinctly Irish edge. Her 2022 follow-up album Smiling Like an Idiot further solidified her place as one of Ireland’s most compelling voices in contemporary indie.

Before the tour Gary Lightbody said "We're so excited to get back to tour in North America again" and "For the first ten years of our career, we didn't get to play in the US or Canada and even though, now, we have been touring there for twenty years we still feel like we're making up for lost time. We grew up listening to so much music from the US and Canada so we feel like it's in our blood."

Just after 9:00 PM, the energy in the theatre surged as the unmistakable intro to "Take Back the City" began to play. Snow Patrol members emerged one by one into vibrant stage lighting, the backdrop boldly displaying "SNOW PATROL" alongside "VANCOUVER" and a neon-green heart—a nod to their recent album, "The Forest Is The Path," and a loving acknowledgment of the city.

Frontman Gary Lightbody, dressed casually in a denim shirt and dark jeans, energetically greeted the crowd, his charismatic presence immediately capturing their attention. He then smoothly transitioned into "Chocolate," guitar in hand, further energizing fans who sang along enthusiastically.

Throughout the evening, the band navigated a powerful setlist designed to engage and move the audience deeply. Early highlights included energetic performances of "Called Out in the Dark" and "Crack the Shutters," leading seamlessly into the emotional duet "Set the Fire to the Third Bar," showcasing the band’s range and depth.

The atmosphere intensified during "Run," as the crowd echoed every lyric with heartfelt sincerity. A more reflective mood took over with "The Lightning Strike (What If This Storm Ends?)" and "Talking About Hope," before the optimistic anthem "Open Your Eyes" brought renewed energy and hopefulness into the theatre.

Undoubtedly, the night’s emotional climax arrived with the iconic hit "Chasing Cars." The deeply personal connection between the song and the audience was amazing—many fans sang passionately, some capturing the moment on their phones, others simply living it, tears streaming openly as they experienced the collective emotional release that this timeless track inspires.

Following this moving moment, the band maintained the emotional depth with performances of "Make This Go On Forever," "Shut Your Eyes," and "Heal Me," culminating with the energetic and uplifting "You're All I Have." For the encore, Snow Patrol offered the beautifully introspective "What If This Is All the Love You Ever Get?," leaving fans in thoughtful silence before concluding on a high note with "Just Say Yes," a fittingly hopeful close to a remarkable evening.

Snow Patrol’s return to Vancouver not only reignited nostalgia among long-time fans but also solidified their continued relevance and emotional resonance. With this powerful opening night, the band set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable North American tour.

Following their Vancouver launch, Snow Patrol will continue their tour across North America with upcoming stops in major cities including Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, and concluding in Philadelphia on April 12, 2025.

Remaining North American Tour Dates

March 22 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre

March 24 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater

March 25 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern

March 28 – Salt Lake City, UT – Union

March 29 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre

March 31 – St. Paul, MN – Palace Theatre

April 1 – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed

April 3 – Toronto, ON – History

April 4 – Montreal, QC – Olympia de Montreal

April 5 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall

April 8 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount