Snow Patrol have made a triumphant return, today unveiling their new single “The Beginning,” which serves as the lead track from their upcoming album “The Forest Is The Path.” This release marks the band’s first new record in six years, following 2018’s “Wildness.” The album is set for release on September 13th via Polydor Records.
Produced by Fraser T Smith (known for his work with Adele, Dave, and Stormzy) alongside the band, Snow Patrol now comprises the trio of Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly, and Johnny McDaid. They offer a glimpse of their extraordinary new work with “The Beginning” and have also announced a UK and Ireland Arena tour for 2025.
“The Forest Is The Path” features twelve tracks, all written by Lightbody, Connolly, and McDaid, with contributions from Fraser T Smith, Will Reynolds, Roy Kerr, and Troy Van Leeuwen of Queens of the Stone Age. The album’s artwork, as well as the single’s cover, showcases paintings by Gary Lightbody.
Discussing the new single, Gary Lightbody shared the creative process: “We wrote ‘The Beginning’ on the first day of a trip to Somerset, completing it start to finish in one day. Johnny recorded the vocal in one take immediately after writing the lyrics, capturing a raw, soul-revealing quality.”
Reflecting on the album’s themes, Lightbody described it as rooted in reflection, introspection, and interrogation. “One of the key building blocks was the idea of love from the distance of time. I haven’t been in a relationship for over 10 years, so I explored how love looks from that distance. It’s like viewing the Empire State Building from afar—when you’re in love, you’re inside the lobby; after a breakup, you’re on the street outside; and years later, you’re in Brooklyn, viewing the skyline.”
This theme is poignantly addressed in “The Beginning,” which Lightbody describes as summing up the album’s essence: examining past mistakes and pain from a place where they no longer hurt, except as memories. “The memory itself is full of hurt, but everything around it isn’t. You’re holding in your hand this ball of fire, but now you’ve got gloves on.”
Tracklisting for “The Forest Is The Path”:
1. All
2. The Beginning
3. Everything’s Here And Nothing’s Lost
4. Your Heart Home
5. This Is The Sound Of Your Voice
6. Hold Me In The Fire
7. Years That Fall
8. Never Really Tire
9. These Lies
10. What If Nothing Breaks?
11. Talking About Hope
12. The Forest Is The Path
Snow Patrol have also announced an 8-date UK & Ireland Arena tour, along with European dates in January and February 2025, including a performance at The O2 in London on February 15th. Fans who pre-order “The Forest Is The Path” from Snow Patrol’s store will receive access to the tour pre-sale. Tickets go on pre-sale on Wednesday, June 5th at 10am, with general sale starting on Friday, June 7th at 10am.
Tour Dates:
Jan 30th: Paris, Olympia
Feb 1st: Zurich, The Hall
Feb 2nd: Frankfurt, Myticket Jahrhunderthalle
Feb 4th: Munich, Zenith
Feb 5th: Berlin, Tempodrom
Feb 7th: Düsseldorf, Mitsubishi Electric Halle
Feb 8th: Amsterdam, Ziggo Dome
Feb 9th: Brussels, Forest National
Feb 15th: London, The O2
Feb 16th: Birmingham, Resorts World Arena
Feb 18th: Cardiff, Utilita Arena
Feb 19th: Hull, Connexin Live
Feb 21st: Glasgow, OVO Hydro
Feb 22nd: Manchester, Co-op Live Arena
Feb 25th: Dublin, 3Arena
Feb 27th: Belfast, SSE Arena
Snow Patrol’s latest album and upcoming tour promise to be a significant return for the band, offering fans new music and the chance to reconnect with their favorite hits live.
