Snow Patrol feel very fortunate to have been taken under the “wings” of U2.

The ‘Chasing Cars’ group have been supporting the Irish rockers on their ‘360 Degree’ tour – which ends on Saturday (30.07.11) – and feel it has been a great learning curve for them because the elder group have so much experience but retain a passion for everything they do.

Talking to Vicki Blight on her Absolute Radio show, frontman Gary Lightbody said: “All of the group, Bono too, are music lovers, first and foremost.

“They have an absolutely voracious appetite for music, and that is something still, at their level, at their many years at it, they still are hungry to compete against younger bands, bands that are just coming out.

“They want to compete, they want to be relevant, they want to kick ass, but their love of music is kind of overwhelming, they have a great respect for people in bands.”

Gary added he is surprised how much U2 – made up of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. – have hung out with them, as the same isn’t always the case with other bands Snow Patrol have toured with.

He said: “Sometimes you’re lucky to get a word out of a band that you’re playing with, but U2 have taken us under their wings, and they’re big wings to be taken under I have to say, but you learn an awful lot in there.”