Aren't we lucky this year with live music? We are even seeing major acts such as Muse and Snow Patrol playing twice on our shores in one year, brilliant stuff.
After seeing a gig as incredible as The Cure last time it was going to be hard for Snow Patrol to follow up. However, they played a great show- and as it turns out their last show for some time, they are taking a hiatus for 12 months from any touring, hopefully to hit the recording studio in the meantime.
Iain Archer (Snow Patrol and Reindeer Section collaborator with Gary Lightbody) and OpShop played solid and occasionally excellent warm ups before the Energizer Bunny himself Lightbody hit the stage with the main act. I'm not sure how long they played but it was a much better show that the Auckland one earlier this year- but then perhaps the headspace was better for going to a gig this time round as well.
These guys clearly love NZ, and the high praise of our country was genuine in intent, right down to the lime green NZ RSA t-shirt that Lightbody wore for the duration of the gig.
The played all the hits and the best songs from both Eyes Open and Final Straw, some real crowdpleasers. The band, especially the singer, play with such unbridled pleasure that the energy through the crowd was infectious. We were a handful of rows from the front, right where you can see the whites of the eyes of the band. If I can be that close for Muse in November its going to be one of the years highlights.
A great night in what can sometimes be an unreliable venue soundwise, we all left with grins. Back in February I gave them a 7 out of 10. This time they get an 8.5 out of ten.
Come back soon!
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