Snow Patrol review: Cork lit up with nostalgic hits on Ireland’s hottest day of the year

On a balmy summer night, the iconic band thrilled Cork fans with classics and new tracks alike

Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol on stage at Musgrave Park, Cork. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

On the warmest day of the year, Snow Patrol turned up the heat even further with a red-hot performance in Cork City.

Taking to the stage shortly after 9pm at Musgrave Park (Virgin Media Park), the band quenched the crowd's thirst for hits on an idyllic, balmy summer night.

The Northern Irish trio were supported by two Belfast bands, The Florentinas and Esmeralda Road, who got the crowd in the mood ahead of the main event.

Shortly before Snow Patrol’s arrival on stage, The Florentinas dedicated a song to the headliners and told the Cork audience how grateful they were to perform on Leeside.

Fans at Snow Patrol at Virgian Media park (Musgrave park ) on Thursday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Snow Patrol then rocked the crowd as they opened their set with the fan favourite Take Back the City.

“What a beautiful day it is in Cork, how are you doing?’ Gary Lightbody uttered after the band performed two hits back to back.

"It’s so good to be back here in Cork again, in this incredible stadium.

"We’re going to play some old ones and some new ones. Don’t be afraid if you don’t know the new ones, we’re learning them as we go as well," Lightbody added.

As the evening sun shone brightly, the crowd—many in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond—was transported back in time for a night filled with nostalgia, dancing, and swaying as Snow Patrol performed classics including  Chocolate, Chasing Cars, and Open Your Eyes.

Frontman Lightbody then led the audience through a series of feel-good tracks from their latest record.

Snow Patrol on stage in concert at Virgian Media park (Musgrave park ) on Thursday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

There was pure excitement on the faces of die-hard fans as they settled in for the night, showing off their finest Snow Patrol T-shirts and eager to secure a front-row view of the band they’d long waited to see on Leeside.

Snow Patrol has returned to Ireland for their latest tour, supporting their newest album,  The Forest is The Path.

It’s the band’s first tour without long-time members Jonny Quinn and Paul Wilson.

They are set to take the stage at Belsonic 2025 in Belfast later on Saturday.

The Snow Patrol performance was the latest gig in a series of summer concerts at the park.

The shows will wrap up with Madness on Friday, followed by Nile Rodgers & Chic and Duran Duran on July 1.

Concerts at Live at the Marquee will then continue next week, with Picture This opening the docklands series on Wednesday.

Out and about at Snow Patrol 

 Karen O'Leary with Aidan and Katie O'Leary from Mahon at the Snow Patrol concert at Virgian Media park (Musgrave park ) on Thursday. Pictures: Eddie O'Hare

Michelle Alexanderson from Seattle in the front row. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

 Louise Barry, Fiadh Sheehy and Emma O' Connell from Belgooly at the Snow Patrol concert.

Patrice Keating,  Macroom, and Gail O'Herlihy, Ballintemple, at Snow Patrol.

Lona O'Donovan and Donna Daly  from The Glen, Cork at the Snow Patrol concert.

Gemma Fitzgerald and her niece Abbie Anthony from Douglas.

Don and Fionn Murphy, and Brenda Hallihan from Ballincolliog.

Robin Manning, Cobh, and Amy Pomphrett, East Ferry.

Tony Maher and Dagmara Rapela, Waterford, before the Snow Patrol concert.

Evan, Dyan, Annette and Alan Barry from Midleton.