Launching the festival in style
Snow Patrol headlined day one of the Isle of Wight Festival, and played a blinder in the process.
'Hands Open' got the set off to a fine rocking start, laying down a marker to any who might have doubted their heavier credentials on a bill that was also topped by Muse and the Stones. 'Chocolate', 'It's Beginning to Get to Me' and 'Spitting Games' followed in quick succession, ensuring a breathless first fifteen minutes.
The first of many slower moments where the Snow Patrol faithful could properly exercise their lungs came with the Spiderman soundtrack single 'Signal Fire', with 'Final Straw' opener 'How to be Dead' keeping a similar mood.
Snow Patrol are becoming regulars at the Isle of Wight Festival with this being their third visit. It was also the start of a string of big festival dates this summer, with T in the Park and V still to come. Undoubtedly one of the highlights from here until the day they split will be when 'Chasing Cars' is belted out by several thousands of people. If you're heading to any festival they're playing try to get near the front to experience this as, regardless of your view on the rest of their work, this is definitely a musical moment worth having in surround sound.
On 'Set the Fire to the Third Bar' the Martha Wainwright vocal part was sung by the band's friend Miriam Kaufman, before the show built up to a memorable finish with first another massive sing-along for 'Run', and 'You're All I Have' finishing the main body of the set in the same style as 'Hands Open' began it.
They returned for an encore that included 'Finish Line' and 'Open Your Eyes', rounding off the opening day of this festival in impressive style.