Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol is a Northern Irish-Scottish alternative rock band formed in 1994 at the University of Dundee. The band consists of Gary Lightbody (lead vocals, guitar), Nathan Connolly (guitar, backing vocals), Paul Wilson (bass guitar, backing vocals), Jonny Quinn (drums, percussion), and Johnny McDaid (guitar, backing vocals). They are known for their hit singles, such as Chasing Cars, which was featured on the Grey's Anatomy soundtrack, and Run, which was featured on the The O.C. soundtrack, alongside Death Cab for Cutie and The Killers.

History

The band's history began when Gary Lightbody and Michael Morrison formed the band Shrug in 1994, which later changed its name to Polarbear. They released their debut album, Songs for Polarbears, in 1998 under the Jeepster Records label, which also signed Belle and Sebastian. The album received positive reviews from critics, including NME and The Guardian. In 2001, the band released their second album, When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up, which featured the single Ask Me How I Am, and was praised by BBC Radio 1 and XFM.

Members

The current members of the band are Gary Lightbody (lead vocals, guitar), Nathan Connolly (guitar, backing vocals), Paul Wilson (bass guitar, backing vocals), Jonny Quinn (drums, percussion), and Johnny McDaid (guitar, backing vocals). Former members include Michael Morrison (guitar), Mark McClelland (bass guitar), and Miracle Legion's Dave McCracken (keyboards). The band has also collaborated with other artists, such as Martha Wainwright, The Strokes, and U2.

Discography

The band's discography includes Songs for Polarbears (1998), When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up (2001), Final Straw (2003), Eyes Open (2006), A Hundred Million Suns (2008), Fallen Empires (2011), and Wildness (2018). Their albums have been released under various labels, including Polydor Records, A&M Records, and Universal Music Group, and have been praised by critics from Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times. The band has also released several singles, including Spitting Games, How to Be Dead, and Take Back the City, which have been featured on various soundtracks, including The O.C. and Grey's Anatomy, alongside The Fray and OneRepublic.

Awards and nominations

The band has received several awards and nominations, including a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Song for Chasing Cars, and a BRIT Award nomination for Best British Rock Act. They have also won several MTV Europe Music Awards, including Best Alternative Act, and have been nominated for several Kerrang! Awards, including Best International Band. The band has also been praised by other artists, such as Bono and The Edge of U2, and Chris Martin of Coldplay.

Musical style

The band's musical style is a blend of alternative rock, power pop, and indie rock, and has been compared to other bands such as The Police, The Cure, and R.E.M.. Their music often features catchy melodies and introspective lyrics, and has been praised by critics from The Guardian and The Times. The band's sound has also been influenced by other artists, such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Elbow.

Tours

The band has embarked on several tours throughout their career, including the Final Straw Tour (2003-2004), the Eyes Open Tour (2006-2007), and the Fallen Empires Tour (2011-2012). They have also performed at various music festivals, including Glastonbury Festival, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and Lollapalooza, alongside other artists such as The Killers, The Strokes, and Arctic Monkeys. The band has also supported other artists on tour, including U2 and Coldplay, and has been praised by critics from The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times for their live performances. Category:Scottish musical groups