‘I have seen them 30 to 35 times and met them three times’ – main headline
By Julie Waters
SNOW Patrol super fans jetted in from across the globe last week to meet their rock star idols at a special midnight signing of their new vinyl album in Bangor’s Bending Sound Records.
The fans travelled from as far afield as Holland, Spain, Italy and Canada, securing a coveted place by pre-ordering the band’s new LP The Forest Is The Path on a limited edition forest green marbled vinyl.
Bangor frontman Gary Lightbody, alongside bandmates Johnny McDaid and Nathan Connolly, were greeted with cheers and clapping from fans as they arrived at the Banks Lane record store.
Fans were ‘ecstatic’ to meet their music heroes and finally hold the band’s eighth album in their hands, following a six year wait since the release of Wildness in 2018.
The lead singer was clearly thrilled to be back in his home city for this special signing. “It is amazing, it is so exciting that it is finally out, we are very proud of it,” said Gary.
He spoke of his passion for the seaside city saying: “I love this place with all my heart and I am always happy to be doing this in Bangor.”
With many fans saying the Bangor frontman’s voice has never sounded better on the two already released album tracks All and The Beginning, he was keen for fans to hear their latest work. Said Gary: “That is very kind. We are really excited for people to hear the album.”
Steven Boyd, owner of Bending Sound Records, said he was both ‘honoured and privileged’ to host the special midnight signing event – a first in the store’s seven-and-a-half year history.
He was inspired to host the Snow Patrol midnight vinyl release night after Mackin’ tracks Belfast held a similar event for the release of U2’s album The Joshua Tree.
The vinyl guru was delighted that so many Snow Patrol fans, both home grown and from further afield, had ventured out for this special late night signing and were in good spirits despite the chilly temperatures.
In pole position, holding first place in the queue, was Ballymena’s Aimee Stirrup who was well prepared with her fold up chair.
“I’ve been here since half past seven, in the evening, not the morning,” said Aimee. “I’m really excited. I’ve never seen them before but I’m a big fan. Chasing Cars is my favourite song.”
Accurately describing herself as a ‘massive fan’ , Vera Ramon had travelled to Bangor from Italy to meet Snow Patrol for the fourth time in person.
“I have been a fan since 2005,” said Vera. “I have seen them 30 to 35 times and met them three times. I am going to their concert in Belfast and then I am going to Manchester and Glasgow to see them.”
Also jetting in from Europe was Gloria Municio who had travelled from Spain. “Of course I am a fan,” said Gloria. “I saw them for the second time this summer.”
Moving down the queue, mum of four Nicola Tohani from County Louth was thrilled to be at the Bangor signing. “I was just delighted to get on the list, even though it is midweek and I have four children,” she said.
“I have been a fan for about 20 years and I have seen them 15 times. I am going to see them in Belfast and then in London in February.”
Three generations of the Mulhern family had travelled from Letterkenny for the signing, with young Kyran, dad James and grandad John all keen to meet the band. With Kyran still yet to see the band live his dad James assured him that ‘Santa might bring tickets’.
Setting aside their Christmas lists, the family were delighted to be getting to meet the band. “We were very fortunate to get tickets for the signing, it is a great experience,” said James. “I think the new songs are brilliant, I’ve been playing them constantly in the car.”
Also braving the night air was Karen Murdoch who had been boarding a plane in Canada to visit her relatives in Saintfield when she learned she was going to meet her rock heroes.
“When I heard Snow Patrol were going to do a concert in the Ulster Hall I booked a flight straight away before I even got a ticket,” said Karen, who has already seen the band perform in Philadelphia. “I found out about this when I was just boarding the plane.”
Keeping Snow Patrol adulation in the family were brother and sister Ria and Andre Moster from Holland who were joined by their friend Caroline Tighelaar.
The brother and sister first discovered Snow Patrol when they were supporting U2 and were looking forward to meeting Gary Lightbody and his bandmates for the 12th time.
This was certainly not their first visit to Bangor and it won’t be their last as Ria explained: “We have seen Snow Patrol at the Ulster Hall and at Ward Park. We couldn’t believe it when we came back and saw the Ward Park poster from the concert and there we are in the front row. We are coming back in February to see the gigs in Dublin and Belfast.”
The duo are no strangers to gig going, with Ria having seen Snow Patrol around 30 times, she has also seen U2 a staggering 109 times and made three trips to Las Vegas to watch them in their residency at the Sphere.
She spoke highly of the Snow Patrol band mates. “The guys are really nice, they are laid back, we have met them a few times after the gigs. And they have great music of course.”
Sisters Alison and Lucy Greer had travelled from Irvine in Scotland and were looking forward to not only meeting the band but hearing the new album. “Gary has a lovely voice, I’m very excited to hear the rest of the album,” said Alison.
Friends Katrina Robinson and Michelle Devine had travelled from Derry and were looking forward to meeting the band in person as were mother and daughter Christina and Suzanne Kerr-McCullough from Bangor.
Said Suzanne: “We were really glad to get these tickets. We all saw Snow Patrol at Ward Park 3 together with Christina’s sister Alex.” As well as getting to meet the band, Christina said she was looking forward to seeing them play in the SSE arena next year.
Bangor friends Gail Hanna and Jayne Perkes were thrilled to have the chance of a lifetime to meet the band. “This is the nicest queue I have ever been in. I am loving the new album and it is great to see Gary being so happy,” said Gail.
When asked if she was looking forward to meeting the band Jayne said she was ‘ecstatic’ and sharing her passion for the band’s music she said ‘it’s been the song track to my life’.
