Snow Patrol
The Fox Theater, Oakland
March 24, 2025
Photos by Raymond Ahner
Having just released their eighth studio effort The Forest Is The Path (Polydor Records) late last year, Scottish alternative rockers Snow Patrol recently embarked on a 14 date U.S. tour, which sees the band playing in the states for the first time in over 6 years.
Vocalist and founding member Gary Lightbody said in a statement, “We’re so excited to get back to tour in North America again! 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. We can’t wait to come back again next year and discover more of the continent and have new adventures with a brand-new album.”
With a 17-song setlist that spanned the band’s career, the near sold out crowd at The Fox Theater in Oakland definitely got their money’s worth. Highlights included “Make This Go On Forever,” Open Your Eyes” and “The Lightning Strike (What if This Storm Ends).” The band also brought out choice cuts from their new record, playing both “All,” and “The Beginning” from their most recent release.
As the song “Chocolate” was drawing to a close, Lightbody let the crowd take over and finish the lyrics, and was clearly feeding off of the room. Of course it was Snow Patrol’s mega-hit “Chasing Cars” that everyone was holding out for, and as the band started the song the fans almost immediately took over vocal duties, singing along with every word.
After closing out their set with “You’re All I Have,” the band returned for a two song encore of “What If This Is All the Love You Ever Get?,” and “Just Say Yes.” It was the perfect way to end a nearly perfect evening.
