JDub and I were pretty much in the minority at last night’s Snow Patrol concert – as old farts. Oh, there were others, a few with gray pony tails, and one notable well-groomed middle-aged fellow a couple of rows below us in a leather jacket who was actually playing air guitar in his seat next to his staid wife-with-a-tight-perm. But the crowd was mostly young nubile high school/college-aged ladies (as well as young men, probably accompanying their girlfriends). I suppose that makes sense because Snow Patrol’s music is quite melodious and I think most women prefer that (as opposed to head-banger stuff). But I was surprised that more “mature” folks weren’t represented because they appeal to a broad base.
Speaking of head-banger, that would be the two opening acts. They were like garage bands where the lead singers honestly believe that wrapping their lips around the mic and screeching at 10 gazillion decibels in competition with guitars screeching at 20 gazillion decibels constitutes…..what? “I’m outa the garage and I made it to the stadium?” I have to wonder how they were selected to open for Snow Patrol. Diametrically opposed animals. And why two bands? It was rather annoying because take-down/set-up times between acts took forever. Snow Patrol didn’t come on until past 9:30.
But when they did, we realized why we’d put up with going over two hours without a cigarette and listening to music we’d never choose to listen to in a million years. It was the difference between a double-wide surrounded with barking junk-yard dogs, and a roomy and tasteful timber-framed cabin on a sunny wooded lot along a sparkling lake. What a breath of fresh air! A lead singer with a wonderful voice! Music with complexity! Lyrics with intelligence!
I haven’t gotten over that sense of awe I’ve always felt seeing somebody I care about live in concert. We are sharing this room together! (Well, along with thousands of others…)
One cute anecdote. One of their (gorgeous) cuts on their new album is a duet with Rufus Wainwright’s sister. She isn’t touring with them, so they had a gal from the audience join them on stage and sing the duet with the lead singer. At first I wondered if it was a “plant” since it was arranged so quickly, but her body language was all about being nervous and blown away being up there on stage with them. She did a marvelous job, and what especially impressed me was that she was no knock-out. Your average, slightly chubby young lady with a pretty voice who got a roaring ovation afterward, and who will have one helluva story to tell (and remember) forever.