It’s been four years since The Script last visited Australia. After having their tour interrupted by Covid, The Script have finally made their triumphant return, this time performing their ‘Greatest Hits Tour 2022’ to promote their latest album ‘Tales from the Script’, and at the iconic Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne.
The Script members Danny O’Donoghue and Glen Power, alongside their touring bandmates, really appeared to be genuinely chuffed be back on stage performing in Melbourne, just as much as fans were to see them. Lining up for hours and braving the pouring rain, nothing was going to keep these excited fans from seeing their favourite Irish band. Some patrons were even super-prepared, already donned in ponchos to protect themselves from the elements.
For me, this was a new experience, as this was my first time seeing The Script. And while there were many long-time fans in the audience, there were also many, like me, attending and seeing The Script perform live for the first time.
Kicking off with ‘Superheroes’, complete with confetti, streamers, and the occasional firework, every song was a joy to listen to. Some of the standout songs of the night included ‘Rain’, ironic considering fans were previously drenched in it, ‘Paint the Town Green’ an energetic tune that is a hymn to The Script’s homeland, and ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’, the first ever song I remember listening to by The Script.
The Script joined the audience for two numbers, the first being ‘If You Could See Me Now’, and I really couldn’t, as the band were among the audience on the side of the venue that was obstructed from my view.
The other song ‘Nothing’, where Danny requested a fan to call an ex-partner so he could sing them a song via video call. Fellow patron, Georgia was quick to call her ex-boyfriend Josh, which then had Danny singing to the phone, ending the call prompting audiences to say, “Goodbye asshole!” and then Danny saying “See ya, fucker!” before the phone call ended. Personally, I found this quite puzzling, as I believe it would be nicer to call someone you love and create a wholesome moment. But I suppose vengeance is just as fun, and if this was not an act of poetic justice, then I don’t know what is.
Every moment with The Script felt like a fun almost religious singalong experience and it didn’t matter if you didn’t know all the words, nor if you could sing any of them in tune. I was surprised by how diverse their audience was too, differing from families, a group of friends, and couples – people of all ages and from all works of life. While a handful were sadly glued to their phones and spent the entirety of the time watching the concert through a screen (something I’ve never understood), the majority were living in the moment and Danny gratefully acknowledged this.
The band also thanked the crowd for their patience and attendance after all these years and earnestly stated that this Melbourne show was “the best outdoor show we’ve done” with ‘absolute scenes’, while liking the phone lights of the crowd to stars.
By the final three songs of the encore, the entire venue was up on their feet for ‘No Good In Goodbye’, crowd favourite ‘Breakeven’, and final hit number ‘Hall of Fame’. It felt like time had rushed by so quickly during the concert and suddenly, it was all over.
I know it’s taken me a long time to see this crowd-pleasing band perform live, but despite the rain, the pain from standing, and the cold, the wait for The Script was worth it. As much as The Script believe that Melbourne is “fucking amazing” (their words), I left the Sidney Myer Music Bowl thinking pretty much the same about them. Hopefully it won’t be another long four years before they return.
The Script performed in Melbourne at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl as part of their ‘Greatest Hits Tour 2022’. They have already performed in Brisbane and Sydney, and the band have their final show in Australia in Perth on Tuesday the 20th of September.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.frontiertouring.com/thescript
https://www.thescriptmusic.com/tour
Photography by Michael Nguyen.
