SNOW Patrol’s new album, Wildness, is currently roaring at the top of the charts.

The Northern Irish group’s seventh studio album is expected to become their first number one in 12 years.

Fans are also in for a double treat as Snow Patrol have announced an eight-date UK tour including a show at Manchester Arena on January 30. Lead singer and songwriter Gary Lightbody said the record – their first in seven years – taps into something raw and primitive.

He added: “There are many types of wildness, but I think it can be distilled into two: the wildness of the modern age, all its confusion, illogic and alienation and a more ancient wildness.

“Something primal, alive and beautiful that speaks to our true connectivity, our passion, our love, our communion with nature and each other. This is the kind of wildness the album is centered around. The loss of it. Trying to reconnect with it. To remember it.”

Since their 1998 debut, Songs for Polarbears, Snow Patrol have racked up 15 million global album sales, five platinum albums, and are Grammy, BRIT Award and Mercury Music Prize nominated.

Back in 2006, the group’s best-selling record, Eyes Open, topped the charts and shifted 2.4 million copies alone to go eight times platinum. Tickets go on sale on Friday, June 8, at 9am. Visit snowpatrol.com