The Script at the O2 Arena

Irish rock band The Script played an incredible sold-out show at the O2 Arena as part of their Freedom Child tour. Despite the freezing weather outside, the three-piece managed to warm the audience with their passion, genuinity and – of course – spirited hits.

Danny O’Donoghue’s soft, crooning voice soared through ballads, crushed rock anthems, and energised pop pieces. He brought life into every song the band played, making each of the rather musically cohesive tunes stand out and have a vibe of its own. Mark Sheehan, guitarist and co-songwriter, skillfully wove solo after solo into the setlist, alongside the talented drummer Glen Power. Together, the threesome proved themselves to be much more than just musicians.

Their stardom is well-earned. Each of the member’s ebullient personalities shone through as they went above and beyond to put on an unforgettable show. In a performance of true sincerity and showmanship, they traversed deep into the crowd to sing alongside the people who put them on a stage. In the acoustic If You Ever Come Back, the band brought it “back to basics”, according to O’Donoghue. They stripped down the multicoloured lights, laser shows and confetti, favouring simple white spotlights as they joined their fans.

The Script still managed to bring the audience on a journey with them as they performed on stage. In No Man Is an Island – a tropical, groovy rock conglomerate blue and red lights alternated to the beat, speeding up and blurring into a vibrant purple as the night wore on. During the piece, the Irish rockers tried their hand at “crowd control”. Under O’Donoghue’s lead, the audience joined arms and danced in sync with the music. It was a truly beautiful moment, seeing the O2 Arena sing the band’s words back to them as the members looked on, overcome with emotion.

Two of the biggest hits from The Script – Breakeven and Hall of Fame – closed off the evening. The crowd went wild, screaming the uplifting lyrics to the 2012 hit without abandon, and then singing along to Breakeven to tear-stained faces. Every attendee was on their feet, dancing recklessly. It is not often that one gets to watch someone’s dreams come true. But the thousands of viewers saw just that: The Script singing in their own hall of fame.

Laura Boyle
Photos: Guifre de Peray

For further information and future events visit The Script’s website here.

Watch the video for Arms Open here: