The news was shared via Facebook, with the remaining members writing, “Sorry to be the bearer of such sad news but both Jonny Quinn and Paul Wilson have decided to leave Snow Patrol. We are heartbroken they have decided to leave us but we wish them nothing but happiness, success, joy, compassion and everything they want in all their future endeavours.”

The band went on to write individual posts dedicated to Jonny Quinn and Paul Wilson in order to give them a “proper and individual send off.”

Speaking on drummer Jonny Quinn, the band wrote, “Early on it was clear he was more than a drummer.”

They went on to celebrate his 26 years in the band, writing, “His drumming has at times taken on legendary status. His nickname was after all ‘thunderclap’ because he hit the snare drum so hard he was prone to smash right through the drumskin.”

The band shared their gratitude for his time with Snow Patrol, concluding, “We saw the world together, many times. From starting out in the 90s with nothing to what we have become and what we have had the privilege of seeing on tour and in SP’s life together is an honour and one we are all so glad we shared with Jonny.“

In tribute to their bassist Paul Wilson, the band wrote, “He had no fear. It was thrilling to watch.”

They continued, “He played every instrument so bass was maybe a little restrictive for his many talents but we are eternally grateful to him that he did, and did so epically. He has a big beautiful heart and is a deep thinker, and he more than all of us would explore the cities we found ourselves in on tour.”

Having celebrated Wilson’s career with Snow Patrol since 2005, the band concluded, “Thank you for all the awesome times you’ve given us and shared with us Pabs.”

The remaining members, Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly and Johnny McDaid confirmed that their 8th studio album is still set for release next year, despite these changes.

Snow Patrol are set to continue on as a trio and plan to share more information on their upcoming album release in due course. In their initial Facebook post that broke the news, they wrote, “More news of that will come at an appropriate time, for now we want to pay homage and give gratitude for all Jonny and Pablo have given us and shared with us these past decades.”

This news broke just weeks after the band celebrated the 20th anniversary of their breakout album, The Final Straw.

Snow Patrol have released a 20th anniversary special edition re-issue of The Final Straw, available for purchase here.

Originally released in 2013, The Bones Of What You Believe boasts much of the Glasgow trio’s most beloved work, including their signature song “The Mother We Share”. In an Instagram post, the group reflected on their early days: 

“It feels quite strange that Bones is almost a decade old – in some ways, it’s like it just happened, but also like that era was a lifetime ago. Thank you to all the people who gave that album a special place in their heart, and still show us so much kindness today.”

The announcement of the special edition is accompanied by the release of “Manhattan,” one of the four album outtakes due to feature on the reissue. Check out the song below:

In another Instagram post, Chvrches revealed that “Manhattan” was “one of the first tracks the three of [them] worked on together”, adding that the song “instantly resonated, highlighting traits that became the signature sound throughout the debut album.” 

Band member Iain Cook elaborated: 

“It was the first time we messed around with sampling and chopping up our vocals which would go on to become one of the hallmarks of the band’s sound. Lyrically, we were playing around with pretty abstract apocalyptic imagery—in this case the Manhattan Project. This was right around the time we asked Lauren to come into the studio to try out some additional vocals.”

Cook and Doherty, who had been members of the Glasgow alternative rock band Aereogramme until their departure in 2007, reconnected four years later to work on a new synth-orientated project. After proposing Blue Sky Archives drummer/singer Lauren Mayberry record vocals with them, the duo played their soon-to-be frontwoman a handful of demos including “Manhattan”, and Chvrches was born. 

Following the immediate online success of their debut song “Lies”, the trio quickly began gaining popularity through word-of-mouth. Although initially only intended as a studio project, growing expectations from fans saw the band take to the stage as a live act. Within a year they had released “The Mother We Share” and signed a record deal with Glassnote Records. The Bones Of What You Believe followed in 2013, shooting Chvrches into the mainstream, where they have enjoyed consistent success ever since.

Listen to “The Mother We Share” below:

In 2023, Mayberry revealed plans to tour as a solo artist, but reassured fans that, while Chvrches will be going on hiatus, the trio isn’t done forever: “We are all confident that the Chvrches story has many more pages yet to be written.” 

The singer is set to release her debut single next month and tours the UK in October.

See below for dates:

05/10/2023 – SWG3 TV Studio – Glasgow
06/10 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
08/10 – Academy 2 – Manchester
09/10 – Koko – London

Get tickets here.

Pre-order The Bones Of What You Believe 10 here.