IT’S fair to say that Snow Patrol have ebbed and flowed a little bit since they were catapulted to fame in 2003 with their third album and first major label release, Final Straw.

It’s also hard to believe that was nine years ago but, although they’ve never disappeared from the scene, in 2012 in my opinion they’re back to their best.

Final Straw was a masterpiece from start to finish, showcasing the versatility of a band that can do everything from raucous rock to heartfelt ballads.

Their latest – sixth – studio album, Fallen Empires, seems to me a return to that form and it’s frontman Gary Lightbody’s intensity that always grabs me.

And they were epic and flawless in Bournemouth.

Lightbody cuts a more relaxed figure from what I've seen in the past and he interacted well with the crowd as the band tore through hit after hit.

When you've got a back catalogue like this band, there's no need for filler and they showed that by throwing in massive hits like Run, Chocolate and Chasing Cars mid-set.

This is a band where you almost forget how many anthemic songs they've got in their locker - with tunes like Hands Open, Open Your Eyes and Take Back the City all going down a storm.

And the newest stuff from Fallen Empires was received just as well, including This Isn't Everything You Are and Called Out In The Dark.

This was more than just a straightforward gig too, with some great animations, band and crowd shots on massive screens at the back of the stage really adding to the atmosphere and experience.

In a time when guitar bands are hardly flavour of the month, Snow Patrol are among the few who are still keeping the flame lit for those of us that like a bit of substance to their music. Long may it continue.