The Florentinas back in Bangor after supporting rock royalty
by Amy Pollock
THE Florentinas are back in Bangor after a whirlwind and ‘life changing’ few weeks as the main support act for Snow Patrol on their European tour – with lots more to look forward to.
The four-piece comprises Paddy Boyd (vocals), Jacob Kane (bass) and brothers Luke Swann (guitar) and Jakob Swann (drums). They formed the alternative rock band as pupils at Bangor Grammar School in 2019.
Paddy and Jakob said the eight city stint has helped kick off ‘a really exciting time’ for the young band.
“It feels like we’ve come back having really achieved something and are ready to get going again,” said frontman Paddy.
The European tour invite came after Gary Lightbody showed a keen interest in The Florentinas early in their career.
Following a series of live performances in Belfast, the band quickly went from initially playing Green Day covers and experimenting in their school’s music department to securing radio play and recording a BBC Introducing session at Maida Vale.
Their talents were soon recognised by Davy Matchett and Gary Lightbody, who own artist development company Third Bar, to which the band joined in 2020. They also signed a major publishing deal with international music company BMG only 16 months after forming.
Paddy said: “Between 2021 and 2023 we did our first Dublin headline show, sold out Ulster Sports Club and The Empire, headlined Limelight 2 twice, supported DMA’s, Nothing But Thieves, Stereophonics, Kodaline, The Coronas and played Electric Picnic and Stendhal festivals.”
Drummer Jakob said their relationship with Snow Patrol has ‘developed into a closer circle’ over the last year.
“Gary was kind enough to have us play at their sold out album launch in the Ulster Hall, and we also played the acoustic gig at McKee Clock with them.”
Speaking of the moment they were asked to join Snow Patrol in Europe for their then upcoming tour, Jakob described it as ‘wild’.
“[Gary] said it so casually, ‘Nathan, John and I would love it if you would come on the European leg of the tour with us’. Because the relationship was already there, it all naturally fell into place, but to us it was wild.”
Between January 30 and February 9, The Florentinas played in eight cities across France, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
While the group felt unsure of what the audience reactions would be to their music, their minds were soon put at ease.
Jakob said: “We have four singles out, we played three of them, so we didn’t know what it was going to be like – but they all went crazy for it. Even the songs that weren’t out – in fact – two of them that aren’t out yet got the biggest reaction.”
Paddy replied: “We were so excited because this was our first time doing a European tour. Obviously we wanted to impress Snow Patrol, but our job was to hype up the crowd and I think they got a sense of our excitement and that got them excited too.
“I think if we could move to Europe and gig there permanently we would be happy enough.”
From performing to audiences of up to 17,000 people per night, the band are now back home with plenty more up their sleeve.
They released their new single For You last Thursday after the song received positive reactions throughout the tour.
Jakob said: “We hadn’t planned to do it, but when we got home, Davy and Gary said the reception was way better than we imagined. So we thought to keep the momentum we should do something now.”
Paddy said: “It’s the most confident I’ve ever felt about one of our songs coming out.
“It’s so surreal because we worked on it for so long. It’s been so private, but we’re so excited to get it out there and it feels like things are all coming together.”
Since its release, the new song has been streamed over 16,000 times on Spotify.
Now that they’re back from tour and releasing new music, Paddy and Jakob said they all feel content but are looking forward to what’s to come.
“I think the tour went as well as it ever could have, we’ve come back feeling satisfied and proud of what we’ve accomplished,” said Paddy.
He continued: “It feels good because now we’re sitting in 2025 after having just done a tour with Snow Patrol, sitting with about 18 songs.
“We’re feeling really good about this year and what’s ahead.”
