Live Review: The Script – 24th February 2018 – O2 Arena, London, UK
4 min read
Performing to packed arenas is something that has been coming naturally to The Script for a number of years now so selling out two shows at the iconic O2 Arena is all in a days work for front man Danny O’Donoghue and his band mates. With 5 studio albums under their belts and currently on the road promoting latest studio record Freedom Child, the string of hit singles that have made the outfit an internationally celebrated unit makes any Script performance these days feel much more like a greatest hits show than one to plug a new LP.
Following a worthy support slot filled by Brit newcomer Ella Eyre, The Script emerged to fans at a little before 9pm and dove straight into a set filled with the bands hits that have spanned the best part of the last decade. The band are closing the UK leg of the tour in the capital before setting off to mainland Europe. Celebrating their tenth year as one of pop-rock’s most successful Irish exports, the threesome settled into the O2 Arena with ease as they opened their 2nd performance in the venue this past weekend atop of small square stage in the centre of the venue. Surrounded by their adoring fans and alight with blue and pink neon bars as it extended higher above the crowd, the band performed one of their most successful hit singles, Superheroes with flawless precision while Paint The Town Green provided the band with an opportunity to take to their elaborate main stage with the band walking by and shaking the hands of many fans who tried to get up close and personal with the outfit.
A highlight in the early half of the set, the band welcomed on stage the Brentwood Imperial Youth Band who ascended under the spotlight in traditional attire and performing their numerous horn instruments and drums, giving the track a rich, full sound within London’s most famous music venue.
Early hit The Man Who Can’t Be Moved was delivered with sentiment and emotion; O’Donoghue sitting at the front of the stage with lights dimmed as he told the audience “I want to recreate a moment from last night. This song has allowed us to buy a lot of things and put clothes on our backs but it can’t buy moments like these”, performing the tracks opening a capella before the band joined in midway.
Softer moments we found with setlist additions like It’s Not Right For You, a track all about finding the path right for yourself and loving what you do, and Wonders; O’Donoghue sitting behind a neon lit piano centre stage for the latter.
The bands chart hits were some of the brightest numbers within the bands performance with Nothing encouraging the crowd to sing along and For The First Time inviting Danny back to his piano as the trio unleashed a stellar rendition of the UK Top 10 hit.
With the setlist wading through the bands signature pop/rock style, the odd number made a side-step from the norm and offered the crowd something a little different. The most contrasting inclusion of the night was No Man Is An Island; a reggae infused, bass heavy and funky slice from the bands latest Freedom Child release. The track also gave the band a chance to play a little crowd control” with their fans with Danny splitting up the venue in a vocal showdown of sorts.
The band were keen to get into the thick of it throughout their performance; engaging with fans in the front rows and even performing a few numbers in the middle of the venues lower tier; security carting their instruments to be set up on the steps surrounded by fans who were very eager to get a selfie with the band as they offered up powerful performances of If You Ever Come Back and Never Seen Anything (Quite Like You) in busking style. While guitarist Mark Sheehan and drummer Glen Power returned to the stage, O’Donoghue made the longer journey around the venues lower tier with security in tow as the band performed The Energy Never Dies; O’Donoghue giving his adoring fans hugs and moments that they will remember for years to come as they got close to their Irish idol.
The recent hit Rain closing the bands energetic main set, a three track encore of No Good in Goodbye, Top 10 hit Breakeven and number one hit Hall of Fame sealed a remarkable and memorable spectacle from the darling sons of Irish pop-rock as they conquered their second night on one of the worlds most iconic and worthy stages.
Setlist:
Superheroes
Rock the World
Paint The Town Green
It’s Not Right for You
The Man Who Can’t Be Moved
Wonders
Arms Open
Nothing
No Man Is an Island
If You Could See Me Now
For The First Time
If You Ever Come Back
Never Seen Anything Quite Like You
The Energy Never Dies
Rain
Encore:
No Good in Goodbye
Breakeven
Hall of Fame
::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
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