Live Review: The Script
20 September 2022 at the RAC Arena
The Greatest Hits Tour 2022
By Sheldon Ang
Photos by Sheldon Ang Photography
The confetti is shot into the air in a brilliant spectrum of colours, saluting the pride of Dublin in a searing atmosphere that oozes more of a KISS-like finale than the entrance of a modern rock routine. Twilight turns into celebration, as the lead vocalist spins, hooks and kicks in synch with the punch line of the ultra-catchy track. Draped in a sleek black overcoat, the frontman stretches his arms within breathing proximity of the smitten fans, bowing in a gesture of a live long gratitude. He then stares afar into the spotlight, reflecting a moment in time under the confetti shower…
We were just 3 lads who wanted to make money playing music…we are The Script, and we from Dublin, Ireland.
Three Irish boys who drank too much, smoked too much, and eat too much dared to dream big for their band into becoming a household name, selling over 20 million albums and claiming a host of accolades since the release of their top charting debut album in 2008.
With the industry recovering, it was fitting that the trio and the backing musicians graced the stage with smash hit Superhero from their fourth album No Sound Without Silence, a song written for the unsung heroes who battled though crisis and those who are going through tough times.
For the casual listeners who may not be familiar with anatomy of The Script, it was highlighted by midway through the first song, as lead vocalist Danny O’Donoghue teased with guitarist and childhood best friend Mark Sheehan and drummer Glen Power.
Perth will always be like home to us.
Indeed, Ireland is close at heart in Perth. Irish flags were waving across the floor, and the pride of green, white and orange drove up a notch with Paint the Town Green, sparking the Ceili, where the quadrilles, reels, jigs and long and round dancers forming mini Dublin in the centre with an army of happy drunks and briddled shenanigans that would trigger the legs of Michael Flatley.
In a digital age where listeners would recognise music ahead of artist, it didn’t take long to realise that The Script has been producing a healthy dose of bangers such as Breakeven and For the First Time. Some of the ballad performances such as The Man Who Can’t be Moved were fans’ favourites, thanks to the visceral connection in O’Donoghue’s vocal projection.
Part of the charm in The Script’s live acts is the connection with the crowd, as O’Donoghue kept thanking them for making their dreams possible. The other element is their knack of getting the crowd involved, even to the point of walking to the arena tier and performing an acoustic set with the fans in If You Could See Me Now and Nothing.
We are just trying to reconnect the moment now…is anybody here crazy enough to hand me their phone…Hello Gail, this is Danny from The Script, your ex-boyfriend or ex-husband or soon to be ex is here (chuckles)…we’ll be singing this live so please stay on the line…
The Greatest Hits Tour ended with the smash hit Hall of Fame, perhaps their biggest bread earner with over a billion streams, a performance accompanied by a ribbon downpour, with sparks raining from the roof of the stage.
Perth is our last night in Australia. This is for you. The people, the fans – you are the real deal.
In an era where egos usually exceed the talent, The Script ensure they sway from that bravado front. It felt as if the fans were able to walk backstage with a beer in hand without feeling star struck, and chat about food, Shamrock Rovers F.C. and movies. Perhaps it was the familiar accent, but it’s fair to assume it was the meaningful and heartfelt conversation of self-discovery and reflection, the sitting on stage performances, and the acoustic set drowned by the crowd that bridged the unreachable, underscored by a palpable sincerity in O’Donoghue’s performance and brilliant musicianship of The Script.
We were just 3 lads who wanted to make money playing music….we are The Script, and we from Dublin.
With six studio albums culminating onto the Greatest Hits tour projected by an honest live performance, The Script will keep trotting the globe, playing to sold out arenas for the next generation.
SAM would like to thank Frontier Touring and The Script for the Press Accreditation and tickets!
About the Writer: Sheldon Ang is the founder, photographer and writer of SAM. Since its launch in May 2022, he has photographed and reviewed most of the arena and stadium concerts in Perth, including KISS, Hilltop Hoods, The Kid Laroi, Gang of Youths, Louis Tomlinson (One Direction), Guy Sebastian, Glass Animals and Amy Shark. He has also interviewed over 50 artists for a magazine that has been removed by the owner.
