As the sun sets over Dublin Castle, Snow Patrol kick off the first outdoor festival of 2006 with intent. But the early, heady pace set by Final Straw favourites 'Wow' and 'Chocolate' is soon interrupted by the new material from Eyes Open.
Is the band's fourth album a turkey? Not at all, but having only been in the shops for 24 hours, the likes of 'Hands Open', 'You Could Be Happy' and the epic 'Chasing Cars' suffer from a lack of familiarity that won't be a problem next time round in Marlay Park.
Resplendant in a Persil white shirt that's removed during the encore – you could hear the girly screams for miles! – Gary Lightbody wrings every last ounce of emotion out of 'An Olive Grove Facing The Tree', the night's only reminder of Snow Patrol's former indie minnow status. Perhaps mindful of the front-manly duties he'll have to perform when they hit the stadium circuit, Gary also sheds his guitar for a couple of songs, looking somewhat ill at ease in the process. There's nothing nervy about the between-song banter, though, which suggests that should this rock 'n' roll lark go tits up, a career in comedy awaits.
Needless to say, it's 'Run' that has everyone frantically waving their mobiles in appreciation – just where have all those lighters gone? Looking like the cat who's got the whole dairy, Lightbody gives up trying to be heard over the communal singing, and let's the crowd finish the last verse off.
A week later Eyes Open storms into the Irish and UK chart at number one, and Snow Patrol's A-List status is confirmed.