It was a 3 month wait as lead vocalist Gary Lightbody's vocal chords healed, but Chicago fans finally got to see Snow Patrol make up a missed concert from June, 2006. It was a show well worth the wait. It's impossible to watch a group leader like Lightbody take the stage with sheer ebullience and joy in his performance and not have a great time watching and listening. Following a mutual lovefest, I'm sure Chicago and Snow Patrol will be happy to see each other again soon.
Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody Loves Chicago
Dressed in an Illinois t-shirt, Gary Lightbody, lead vocalist and guitarist of Snow Patrol, made it very clear from the start that he loves Chicago. Praising the friendly people and the general treatment the band had received, he even indicated the band could consider moving to the Illinois city. It didn't take long for the audience to return the flattery with thunderous ovations and spirited singing.
Extended encores that included the vocal straining "Open Your Eyes" resulted in Lightbody laid out flat on the stage in exhaustion after careening about the stage in a highly animated performance. Fortunately, outside of a few technical problems, the sound matched the energy making it a memorable night.
Stellar Stage Set Matches Invigorating Sound
Special mention should be made of the stellar stage set fitting this small venue (approx. 2,500) show perfectly. Both guitars and bass lined up in a straight row at the edge of the stage with drums and keyboards on risers at right angle to each other behind. Small colored backlights coupled with blinkers situated on the risers were all that was needed to bathe the stage in color that managed to add considerable interest yet not take away from attention to the music being performed.
Snow Patrol - A Show to Savor
The moment in which the first notes of Snow Patrol's current top 10 hit "Chasing Cars" sounded through the Riviera Theater was a magical one. Dry eyes were possibly in the minority by the time the moving ballad came to an end. However, the song came only halfway through the set, and there were many more powerful ballads and pop-rock tunes to come. Snow Patrol put on a show to savor, and their return, promised in Feburary, 2007, will be eagerly awaited.
