Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TO BE A ‘LEGEND’ IS SUCH AN HONOUR
Gary humbled by award for Snow Patrol’s 25 years in music industry
YESTERDAY
happening here and that deserves all the credit and then some. The very first big tour that Snow Patrol did after our third album was supporting U2 and watching them every night was a lesson in how to do things right.
“I am not saying I do it anywhere as well as Bono does it but he is one hell of a teacher. I texted him in the summer to tell him about our Bangor gig and asked him would he like to join us to celebrate our wee country. “There is a lot of negativity coming from other avenues so it was good to have something positive take over for a change.
“He agreed to come along but wasn’t there before the gig started and it wasn’t until about 10 minutes before the gig that he arrived.
“He moved heaven and earth to be there and just before I went to sing One I turned round to the backstage crew and they give me the thumbs up so I knew he was ready to surprise the crowds. When I started singing he walked on stage as casual as you get. That was the first I had seen him that day and we hadn’t done any rehearsals.
“Obviously he knows how to sing it, so I basically let him do his thing. You can’t really stand next to Bono and think you’re going to be the lead singer on stage.”
Speaking ahead of the Sound Of Belfast, Gary said he is delighted to be taking part in the 10-day celebration of the local music scene.
He added: “Music might be my job but it’s also my hobby and my sanctuary. It’s the place I go for joy and for sadness. I don’t know what I would have done with it. The first 10 years of our career was full of constant setbacks and we got through those by just making music.
“Those rejections teach you just to keep making music and not to worry about fortune or fame.
“That stuff isn’t important. What’s important is making the music and doing what you love. It’s about not worrying too much about what will happen after that. If I was to give any advice to local artists it would be to tell your story, whatever it is.
“Write about your loves and your fears and the things that happen to you. That’s what I have done for 25 years.”