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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Damien Edgar

Snow Patrol to play Bangor concert to celebrate Gary Lightbody award

Snow Patrol will play a special acoustic concert in Bangor to celebrate Gary Lightbody being awarded the freedom of the borough.

The band's lead singer hails from the Co Down seafront town and the gig will see the band reunite for a one-off performance.

Lightbody will receive the honour from Ards and North Down Borough Council at a civic ceremony at Bangor Castle on Tuesday August 30, with the concert the following day.

Read more: Gary Lightbody marks birthday with donation to foodbanks and charities across Northern Ireland

The concert is being organised in partnership between the council and Open House Festival, with tickets going on sale from 10am tomorrow.

Lightbody grew up in Bangor and the 46-year-old said he was delighted to be given the award.

“Thank you to Ards and North Down Borough Council for this honour. I was born and grew up in the Borough, and though I may have wandered for a few years, I made my home back in Bangor again," he said.

Snow Patrol at Ward Park (Snow Patrol/Instagram)

"Johnny, Nathan and myself are really looking forward to playing on Bangor seafront for the very first time.

"It’ll be great craic. This town, indeed newly minted city, has always been a part of me and always will be."

The council's new Mayor, Karen Douglas, said she was delighted to be serving in the position while the honour was awarded.

It is the first time the award has ever been given to an individual, with the two previous recipients the Health and Social Care Staff (2018) and the Irish Guards (2022).

"Gary Lightbody is an international name, but he is most loved and appreciated by the people of Bangor and the wider Borough," she said.

"I’m sure they will join me in extending heartfelt congratulations on receiving this award and grateful thanks for everything he does for our local community.”

Bangor Marina (Harry Bateman)

“The Snow Patrol acoustic concert on Bangor seafront to mark this auspicious occasion will no doubt become one of the standout events in our city’s musical history.

"We are grateful to Gary and the other members of the band for working it into their immensely busy schedule."

Kieran Gilmore, Director of the Open House Festival said it was "an honour to host Snow Patrol on our seafront".

"The fact that the concert is taking place just opposite the Court House is particularly apt, as profits are in aid of our restoration of the building and will help to complete the final phase of the project before we open the doors later this year," he said.

Tickets will cost £22.50 and support acts are due to be announced at a late date.

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