It’s not everyday you hear of a gig fronting by four incredible bands, so you can all imagine the anticipation and stigma attached to such a night. As one comes to expect from the closing date of a lengthy tour, an intense, electrifying atmosphere hung diligently in the air. An atmosphere of joviality and expectation soon to be sliced by the proverbial knife that tonight took the form of… fucking fantastic music!

Playing with a highly confident air, The Rock Of Travolta were first to draw the arriving masses around the stage. Those there early were in for a treat as TROT played a tense cohesion satirical post rock that lit the fuse for the nights explosive entertainment.

Combing the sounds of The Lapse, Shellac and Fugazi (to name but a few) in a volatile blend of chaotic rock, Jetplane Landing took to the stage. Among the many highlights of a boisterous action fuelled set (inspired by Cahir’s Mr T geetar) had to be the rolling undulating sounds of ‘What has this argument changed’ 3 and a half minutes of stuttering guitars spliced in to by a rhythmic and pumping bass overlaid with half-grabbed half-spoken but truly fantastic (fuckyouandyouroppositesex) lyrics. Lead singer Andrew had all the appeal of a master reverend that night, preaching to the kids all about the school of rock! ‘You know what the fuck you like’ (or something like that!) Ahem brother!

Since ’98, when I first saw Snow Patrol, a lot about them has changed. It’s not only their music that has matured but also the band themselves. Gary, the confident man back chatting and baiting the audience is far removed from the shy, almost apologetic Irish boy I remembered. And in truth he band are all the better for it. Their mixture of indie-rock-pop songs are articulated with greater ferocity, increased certainty and more clarity than ever before.

Playing a set comprised of many songs off of the forthcoming album it’s clear that Snow Patrol’s adopted philosophy seems to be ‘if it’s ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ Admittedly I think as Gary himself acknowledged the crowd including myself would have preferred some older more familiar Snow patrol tracks to tap out feet and nod out heads to. Maybe this wasn’t the best gig to start show casing new material, but that grumble aside the nights music was certainly compelling.

Earlier in the set we had been delighted by a rocked up version of ‘One night is not enough’ where Gary’s sweet angelic vocals rolled to the sound of melodic guitar work. Although fantastic this was soon to be exceeded by set highlight… ‘Starfighter Pilot’, the finale where the majority of the crowd took to their jumping feet and reaffirmed the nights ever intensifying atmosphere.

Now I've seen Seafood many a time in the last twelve months... but I’ve never seen them play like this, and I mean never! Any previously held expectations were soon to be surpasses by the most passionate, elaborate, energetic and intense Seafood set ever. The mixture of indie-rock was transported to new heights as each song echoed and reverberated, intermingling with the sweet sound of crowd fervour, having perfectly complimented it’s predecessor in build up and manifestation.

Playing a frenzied mélange of new and old on a night which would prove to be long-term guitarist Charles Macloed’s last as a fulltime member of the band. Recent singles ‘Splinter’ and ‘Western Battle’ put their evening in motion, an evening where every indie boys wet dream was fulfilled. Set highlights though had to consist of old favourite ‘Porchlight’ a loud and rampant crowd shaker and ‘Folk Song Crisis’ where the band were joined on stage by Billy Mahonie bassist Kev "he’s tall in Texas" Penney to create a volatile cohesion of guitar spliced resonance.

Towards the end David took to the stage alone, it was time for his *starsailor/hippy* moment, ‘Desert Stretched Before The Sun', in what had to be one of the set’s quiet moments. A pensive little number, which plucked and pulled meticulously at our heartstrings with its harmonious almost angelic vocals and acoustic framework.

The set was rounded off by ‘In This Light…’ a track that lures the crowd into a false sense of security with Caz and David’s melodic dual vocals, and light guitar tittering, before descending into a frenetic end section, with loud, lively layers creating a multitude of muddled, hot-blooded sound.

My ears were ringing for days, my legs ached for hour upon hour, and my voice was reduced to a mere croak…you just know it’s been an unbelievable gig.