Sporting a new beard for the occasion, Gary Lightbody told the 30,000-capacity crowd that it was the “most special day of my life”, and then went on to reveal the possibility of the gig becoming an annual event.

The band struck a serious note by sporting blue ribbons in honour of Lisa Dorrian, a 25-year-old local who went missing in 2005.

In other Patrol news, Lightbody has penned a track for Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger’s My Name Is Nicole solo album.
Talking to MTV, she said: "I’m such a huge fan of Snow Patrol’s music, and Gary had this song called ‘Just Say Yes’ that spoke to me. I felt like I was supposed to make it my own, and I was blessed enough for him to allow me to sing it."

My Name Is Nicole is due in November.

Picture courtesy of Paul Smith (www.paulsmithphotos.co.uk)