Snow Patrol celebrate meteoric rise
Belfast band Snow Patrol stole the limelight from a host of Irish and international acts last night as they scooped two top awards at the Meteor Ireland Music Show.
The band, which finally broke into the top of the charts with their third album, Final Straw, fought off stiff competition to walk away with the accolade for best Irish band and best Irish album in Dublin's packed Point Theatre.
There were 17 Meteor Ireland Music Awards handed out in the star-packed extravaganza hosted by comedian Ed Byrne.
Natural Born Killers star Juliette Lewis presented the award for best Irish male to Paddy Casey, whose album Living has gone platinum.
Juliet Turner won best Irish female, and Dublin band Aslan were given the lifetime achievement award in recognition of their contribution to Irish music over the past 22 years.
Westlife emerged as the public's favourite choice and was voted the best pop act.
On the international front, PJ Harvey took best international female while Morrissey got best international male. Glasgow-based Franz Ferdinand scooped best international group and album, and upcoming Irish rockers The Chalets won the best new Irish band.
Thousands of fans got to watch performances from top international and Irish acts including Snoop Dogg, Paddy Casey, Brian McFadden and Delta Goodrem, Aslan, and Westlife. Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood also made a surprise guest appearance on stage with Irish band The Thrills.
