Concert: The Script in Tempe, AZ
For a band with a catalog of songs born of a sad place, The Script sure is enthusiastic and giddy live. The Irish trio's performance belies tunes such as "The Man Who Can't Be Moved," "Nothing" and "Breakeven."
During their show Sunday (9/25) at the sweltering Marquee in Tempe, AZ, singer/keyboardist Danny O'Donoghue and guitarist Mark Sheehan cracked jokes, poked fun at each other and happily toasted the audience for its participation.
The vivacity began as a frenetic light show which drew attention to the stage after Hot Chelle Rae finished its opening set. Sheehan arrived on stage first, playing a guitar slung near his knees. Drummer Glen Power followed, providing the backbeat, and revealing an extended introduction to "You Won't Feel a Thing." After a touring bassist arrived, O'Donoghue bounced to the microphone with more momentum than a spinning top.
"We're The Script from Dublin, Ireland, and we're going to blow the fucking roof off his place," O'Donoghue said as the song finished to a club-sized crowd that made enough noise to rival a professional football game.
For the next 90 minutes, The Script metaphorically did just that. Even though O'Donoghue's vocals were slightly weak, the act sounded in top form, digging from its two albums, "The Script" and its latest, "Science and Faith." The Script showcased rap-inspired tunes such as "We Cry" and the relentlessly catchy title track from its second album.
The band, which is slated to appear on ABC-TV's "Dancing with the Stars" Tuesday (9/27), also laid out the hits as well. Fans ate up "The Man Who Can't Be Moved." O'Donoghue, along with audience members, sang the first verse a cappella before The Script busted into a full instrumentation version of the song. As he closed the tune, O'Donoghue raised his arms in victory, which only fed the crowd's frenzy.
The second half of the show was reserved for the bulk of the hits. "Nothing," which is based on O'Donoghue's penchant for drunken dialing, was stronger than the album version. "Breakeven" was playful. This band is clearly on its way to playing more U.S. venues larger than the Marquee.
Hot Chelle Rae surprisingly gave The Script a run for its money as the opening act. The Nashville-based group, which did an incredible cover of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream," played only 30 minutes, but made up for it to fans by signing autographs in the lobby after its set.
27 - Norman, OK- Riverwind Casino
30 - Austin, TX - Stubb's Bar-B-Q/Waller Creek Amphitheatre
October 2011
1 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
2 - Dallas, TX- Palladium Ballroom
4 - New Orleans, LA - Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts
5 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
7 - Miami Beach, FL - Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater
8 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Cafe/Hard Rock Live
9 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
11 - Charlotte, NC - Fillmore Charlotte
13 - New York City, NY - Roseland Ballroom
15 - Mashantucket, CT - MGM Grand at Foxwoods
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