Snow Patrol
Biography
Snow Patrol is a Northern Irish-Scottish rock band formed in 1994 by students Gary Lightbody, Mark McClelland, and Michael Morrison at the University of Dundee in Scotland. Originally called Shrug, they later changed their name to Polarbear in 1996 to avoid conflicts with other bands. They eventually settled on the name Snow Patrol in 1997.
Early Years and Breakthrough
The band's first two albums, "Songs for Polarbears" (1998) and "When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up" (2001), were released on the independent label Jeepster Records and had limited commercial success. After signing with the major label Polydor Records, the band, now with guitarist Nathan Connolly, released "Final Straw" in 2003. This album marked their commercial breakthrough, featuring the hit single "Run". The album was certified 5x platinum in the UK.
Line-up Changes and Mainstream Success
In March 2005, founding member Mark McClelland left the band and was replaced by bassist Paul Wilson. Keyboardist Tom Simpson also joined as a permanent member. Their next album, "Eyes Open" (2006), propelled them to international fame, largely due to the massive success of the single "Chasing Cars". The song was reported in 2019 to be the most-played song of the 21st century on UK radio. "Eyes Open" topped the UK Albums Chart and became the best-selling British album of the year.
Subsequent Albums and Tours
Snow Patrol continued to release successful albums, including "A Hundred Million Suns" (2008), "Fallen Empires" (2011), and "Wildness" (2018). The band has toured extensively throughout their career, including an opening slot for U2's Vertigo Tour in 2005. In September 2023, it was announced that drummer Jonny Quinn and bassist Paul Wilson had decided to leave the band. Snow Patrol continues as a trio with Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly, and Johnny McDaid. Their eighth studio album, "The Forest Is the Path," was released in 2024.
Musical Style and Legacy
Snow Patrol's music is often described as alternative rock, indie rock, and post-Britpop, characterized by soaring melodies and heartfelt lyrics. They have sold over ten million albums worldwide and have won numerous awards, including seven Meteor Ireland Music Awards and have been nominated for six Brit Awards and a Grammy.