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Bono and Friends give cold-stricken Lightbody night to remember as Snow Patrol stun Ward Park concert goers
Courteney Cox among revelers at Co Down show
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Snow Patrol, Bangor Ward Park 3 [Photos] Close
Snow Patrol perform on stage at Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Snow Patrol and guests play at Ward Park in Bangor. 25 Saturday May 2019 (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol performing at Ward Park 3. Snow Patrol and guests play at Ward Park in Bangor. 25 Saturday May 2019 (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol performing at Ward Park 3. Snow Patrol and guests play at Ward Park in Bangor. 25 Saturday May 2019 (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
Snow Patrol and guests play at Ward Park in Bangor. 25 Saturday May 2019 (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
Gary Lightbody, Johnny McDaid, and Nathan Connolly. Snow Patrol and guests play at Ward Park in Bangor. 25 Saturday May 2019 (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
Snow Patrol perform on stage at Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Johnny McDaid. Snow Patrol and guests play at Ward Park in Bangor. 25 Saturday May 2019 (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
Johnny McDaid. Snow Patrol and guests play at Ward Park in Bangor. 25 Saturday May 2019 (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
Snow Patrol perform on stage at Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol performing at Ward Park 3. Snow Patrol and guests play at Ward Park in Bangor. 25 Saturday May 2019 (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol performing at Ward Park 3. Snow Patrol and guests play at Ward Park in Bangor. 25 Saturday May 2019 (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol performing at Ward Park 3. Snow Patrol and guests play at Ward Park in Bangor. 25 Saturday May 2019 (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
Two door cinema club perform on stage at Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Fans enjoy Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Jealous of the Birds perform on stage during Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Jealous of the Birds perform on stage during Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Jealous of the Birds perform on stage during Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Jealous of the Birds perform on stage during Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Soak perform on stage during Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Brand New Friend performs on stage during Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Brand New Friend performs on stage during Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Brand New Friend performs on stage during Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Brand New Friend performs on stage during Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Brand New Friend performs on stage during Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Brand New Friend performs on stage during Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
/
It was a night to remember for the thousands that swarmed to Bangor's Ward Park for Snow Patrol's homecoming mega concert on Saturday.
In what could be Northern Ireland's biggest ever concert fans were treated to the country's best musical talent. From early Saturday afternoon two stages played host to household names and some of the best up-and-coming new talent.
Organiser and Snow Patrol front man Gary Lightbody promised something special - and he delivered in spades. Not only was the quality of music up there with the best but during his own set he produced a special guest in the form of U2's Bono.
The Dubliner joined Lightbody and co to perform his band's iconic hit 'One' in front of the estimated 35,000 crowd in the Bangor park in tribute to the relationship between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
"No them, there is only us," he sang to the crowd.
Lightbody introduced the song by saying that although Ward Park 3 was a day celebrating the best of Northern Irish music, they also wanted to “pay homage to the great music that comes from the Republic”.
He added that there was “only one song for these heady times” as the opening chords of the U2 hit kicked in.
"Well... my goodness," he said as Bono departed the stage.
Snow Patrol perform on stage at Ward Park 3 in Bangor on May 25th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph
Snow Patrol and guests play at Ward Park in Bangor. 25 Saturday May 2019 (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
/
Many hailed the night as one that will go down in Northern Ireland music folklore saying the whole day was something special.
Former Mayor of North Down and Ards, Andrew Muir described it as a "truly memorable night".
"A night I'll never forget! So proud to call this place home!" he said.
Earlier the crowd had enjoyed stellar performances from Foy Vance, Two Door Cinema Club and Ash among others.
Another famous face at the Bangor gig was Friends star Courteney Cox, who was there to support her Snow Patrol musician boyfriend Johnny McDaid. The pair started dating in 2013 and announced their engagement on Twitter in 2014.
A poorly Lightbody opened the band’s set by requesting a bit of help from the crowd.
“It’s the worst day for it but I’ve come down with a stinking cold, so if you know any words, please sing along.”
The band paid tribute to murdered journalist Lyra McKee during their performance of Take Back the City, projecting a picture of campaigners at a same-sex marriage parade in Belfast carrying a large cut-out of Lyra’s name in rainbow colours.
Front man Lightbody is due to join the final leg of a "walk for peace" from Belfast to Londonderry in memory of Lyra on Sunday.
Turning to the Ward Park 3 concert Lightbody said: “Can we take a minute to appreciate the acts on the bill today? Every single one of them from our wee country.
“The music scene in Northern Ireland at the moment is absolutely amazing and it’s to be celebrated.”
Co Down trio Two Door Cinema Club played music from their new album False Alarm, which is set to be released next month.
“This feels awful strange,” said front man Alex Trimble. “Thank you so much to Snow Patrol for having us. As teenagers we came to the first ever Ward Park and it’s a f****** privilege to play the third one.”
Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol performing at Ward Park 3. Snow Patrol and guests play at Ward Park in Bangor. 25 Saturday May 2019 (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol performing at Ward Park 3. Snow Patrol and guests play at Ward Park in Bangor. 25 Saturday May 2019 (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
/
During his set, Bangor musician Foy Vance revealed where he will be playing two nights at the Waterfront later this year.
Appearing on stage with his quirky signature 'tache, he said: "I don’t know if I’m allowed to say. Ah, f*** it. It’s the Waterfront.”
A second stage curated by Snow Patrol's Northern Ireland artist development company, Third Bar, featured up and coming artists JC Stewart, The Wood Burning Savages, Kitt Philippa and ROE, showcasing the future of the province’s music scene.
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