24 seven: Boys back on Patrol; Jade Wright talks to Snow Patrol about their forthcoming visit to the city.

Byline: Jade Wright

WHAT a difference a day makes. Just a few little hours saw the world shift on its axis for Snow Patrol. And they haven't looked back since.

After releasing two misfiring albums that won them little success, commercial or otherwise, a festival performance changed things forever for the Celtic quintet.

"It happened at V Festival in 2004. And we played Run. It was the middle of the day, and we were booked for the gig months before Run came out," says singer Gary Lightbody.

"There were 50,000 people watching us at 2pm, it was absolutely ridiculous. There was beautiful sunshine and everyone was singing along at the top of their lungs. That was the first festival where people went nuts for us, and ever since then every single festival has been ludicrous.

"You can never grow tired of that, all those people singing back at you. It's something that will always bring me very close to tears."

It's also something the band will be looking to replicate when they come to play the ECHO arena next week.

"We played in Liverpool a few times over the years, and had a few good nights there," says bass player Paul Wilson. "I remember DJing there a few years back, at Ladytron's night and having a ball. I was very drunk though, I think I was drinking Jack Daniels and Coke out of a vase in a Peter Kay via Phoenix Nights style - embarrassing really."

Red-faced moments aside, the band say they're looking forward to playing in the city that gave birth to the fab four.

"I'm big fan of The Beatles," enthuses Paul. "They were played a lot in my house when I was growing up. My favourite track has to be Sergeant Peppers Reprisal which has this amazing break beat. It's brilliant for looping and mixing with.

"I was a DJ before getting together with the guys so I have a stupid amount of records and listen to everything. The joy of having five members in a band who all have their own taste, is, you get put on to new sounds.

"I love vinyl, but I do have an iPod and it is a very handy way of accessing new music - especially when you're on the road. I don't own a CD player or CDs though."

Snow Patrol's last proper gig in Liverpool was five years ago, when they played to a few hundred people in Academy 2.

This time they'll be playing to thousands in the arena.

"We wanted to play a bit more extensively," explains Gary.

"We'd not done a big tour here since the Final Straw tour in 2003, before Run came out. The last time we toured in the UK, we played a lot of toilets, as every band should and indeed have to.

"We really wanted to get back to places like Liverpool, where we've not played for a while."

And by the sounds of it, their live show promises all the hits.

"All the singles are in the set with a quite a few other songs we've never played live before," says Paul. "I guess if I told you which ones then that would ruin the surprise. Expect some brilliant visuals as well. Our long suffering crew have been working round the clock to bring the whole thing together."

But don't expect too much partying from the four Irish lads and Scot Paul when they bowl up in Liverpool.

"We used to burn the midnight and morning oil - now I choose my battles with more care," laughs Paul. "I like getting stuff done in the morning then a wee cat nap in the afternoon to get myself ready for the night shift.

"It's not really rock 'n' roll but recently I took up golf. I don't get to spend much time home in Scotland so I learned how to play to spend a bit of time with my dad - which is not that often.

"My perfect day would be spent with old friends, drink and great stories."

But before they get chance to do any of that, Paul and the lads have a message for us all: "There was a recent poll which topped Liverpool as having the best sense of humour in the UK," says Paul. "So we just want to say 'keep laughing Liverpool'."

Snow Patrol play the ECHO arena on March 6. To book tickets log on to www.accliverpool.com or call the ECHO arena box office on 0844 8000 400.

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ARENA SHOW: Snow Patrol