Emotional Songwriting

Emotional Communication

Everyone can relate to a well-written piece of sad music. At least, everybody can relate to one when the moment is right; that is, when they feel the need to wallow in their misery or acknowledge their softer, more vulnerable side. There is something cleansing about listening to a beautifully sad song - it brings out strong emotions and reminds us what we are capable of feeling. I feel more "human" after connecting to a tragic song, more in touch with myself.

Solemn songs are easy to connect with because, for the most part, artists are drawing directly from their own emotional bank when writing them. They feel depressed or lonely and translate their mood directly into emotionally rich, genuine music. Indeed, artists do this when they write happy songs too, but the melodies in sad songs pack an emotional punch that hits the listener straight in the heart. They inspire us and humble us at the same time, and in my opinion, carry more gravity than happy songs.

Some artists have truly mastered this ability to translate their depression into music. It takes true skill for an artist to evoke strong emotions from a listener, and the following list includes artists who are able to harness their depression in an impactful way:

1) Matchbox 20 (Songwriter: Dave Thomas):

Dave Thomas uses Matchbox 20's songs to communicate the issues raging inside his head. In songs like "Unwell" and "Push," he offers unmistakably genuine examples of how he is simply unable to cope with life, romanticism and his own emotions. He writes about his secret desire to assume full control over his lover, how he talks to himself and doubts his sanity. The band's background music is always beautiful, but the hopeless morbidity of his lyrics and the way he inserts tremendous passion into his singing truly impact me as a listener.

2) The Script (Songwriter: Danny O'Donoghue):

I might get a little flack from my male friends for writing about The Script, but it would be plain wrong to exclude them from impactful emotional artists - they do it so well. A large majority of Script songs are about being hopelessly heartbroken, and O'Donoghue communicates this theme so well. He paints pictures of a man waiting relentlessly on a street corner for his girl to come back to him ("The Man Who Can't be Moved"), another of a drunk and lonely man desperately screaming for his girl to give him another chance ("Nothing"). Many can relate to these feelings of hopeless and seemingly pointless attachment to someone, and he portrays them to a T. On top of this, the background guitar in Script songs is clean, sad-sounding, but beautiful as well.

3) Counting Crows (Songwriter: Adam Duritz)

Adam Duritz writes some beautifully depressing music. An example of this is the song "Round Here," in which an unmistakably sad guitar riff is accompanied by stories of how Adam is horribly out of touch with his lover whom he cannot stop thinking about. He sings of how he hears her crying and doesn't know why, how she's "slipping through his hands," how he "got lost sometime." His singing could almost be described more accurately as moaning or whining, but he does so in a way that does not annoy the listener. He seems genuinely lost and helpless.

In a musical world filled with apple bottom jeans and swaggy boyfriends, it's great to get some authenticity once in a while. These artists' "swag" derives from how they put themselves fully into their music. Give them a listen if you ever feel the need to get in touch with your vulnerable side.

Source: Cal Uni / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

The Script - As we wait for 4 let's look back

As we all wait with bated breath for The Script's 4th album, which we are all excited over and can't wait for, let us reflect and their previous albums:

The Script's third album, was appropriately titled “#3,” and contains some of the group's finest music to date, containing 13 spectacular new songs and ­a video giving fans the chance to see the album being constructed. 

Released in the U.K. two years after “Science & Faith,” “#3” has a more fast-paced urban feel than previous releases. Nevertheless, it wouldn't be complete without a few tracks dedicated to the genre the Script first found itself in. These are “Kaleidoscope,” a song rich in guitar chords, and my personal favorite, “Six Degrees of Separation.”

The lyrics sung by Danny O'Donoghue are positively glowing with artistry and flare. Coincidentally, “Glowing” is the name of the fifth track, which contains a beautiful melody that conveys a story. This storytelling quality is sought after by many artists, and has been demonstrated by The Script since their first, self-titled album in 2008. 

Written for O'Donoghue's late father and guitarist Mark Sheehan's parents, “If You Could See Me Now” is a stunning tribute featuring a beautiful chorus. Its emotionally engaging lyrics were taken from a page of Sheehan's diary, inviting fans into the private lives of the band members.

This exquisite collection from Ireland's famed alternative rock band showcases the musical talents of the trio while providing listeners with an array of sensational new sounds. The Script never fails to impress and have done so again here. Danny, Mark, and Glen have created an album filled with tones of pop-rock and ingenious ballads, and they deserve every ounce of credit for their continued success.

Source: The Dublin Weekender / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

ARTHUR'S DAY REVIEW: WHELAN'S

Featuring an intimate homecoming for The Script...

Home-grown music really was the order of the day yesterday as Irish pop sensations The Script delighted the Arthur’s Day crowd in the warm Wexford St venue.

The band’s huge Irish fan base was evident when Dave Fanning introduced them as the night’s main mystery act and the three-piece bounded onto the stage at approx 9.30 to a chorus of deafening roars.

Having just finished up a set merely an hour beforehand in the surprising location of The Ivy House in Drumcondra, Danny O’Donoghue and the boys unleashed such energy it was hard to imagine they hadn’t been preparing for hours.

Warmed up earlier by energetic appearances from Australian hip-hop sensation Iggy Azalea, who delighted the crowd with tracks from her forthcoming debut album The New Classic, and a one-man beat machine in the form of Nottingham’s The Petebox, The Script wowed with a glittering set culled from their three chart-busting long-players. Debut single 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved' went down especially well, with the packed audience contributing their voice to at least half of the breakthrough smash.

The Dublin act kept interaction with the ecstatic audience to an absolute maximum. As Danny brought up issues like the recession and emigration, the mood was patriotic and proud as three pints of Guinness were crowd-surfed onto the stage to the thirsty trio.

Finishing on a high with hit single 'Hall of Fame’, Danny expressed their complete support of Arthur’s Day and the platform the Arthur Guinness Projects created for otherwise neglected Irish musical talent.

Source: HotPress / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

Arthurs Day Ivy House / Whelans Review - The Script

As long as Arthur's Day continues to flow, controversy and debate will surely follow. Praised and bashed in equal measure, the drink giant's divisive marketing wheeze has always been a frustratingly mixed blessing for punters who put live music ahead of the alcohol - the promise of headline acts in intimate venues versus the uncertainty of who might be there, where or when. All thanks to Arthur. 

 

One must get ahead of the game, so when The Script take to the stage at Drumcondra's Ivy House pub before 7pm, for every loyal fan in receipt of last-minute tip-offs, there seems to be two who happened to be in the right place at the right time. As the word spreads and the audience (and temperature) swells accordingly, Danny O'Donoghue and his bandmates deliver a 40 minute pop-rock hit parade, the likes of 'Breakeven', 'Talk You Down', 'For the First Time' and 'Hall of Fame' all getting an airing. It's smartphone central, with swathes of a predominantly female crowd conflicted between savouring a sweaty Danny up close and personal and making the world know via social media that they are one of the lucky few. The band, meanwhile, relish the novelty. Since supernova-ing, the Script don't get to go back to their roots too often. Amid bouts of deafening shrieks from the crowd, Danny manages to extend a phone call to a privileged friend of an audience member and have a round of drinks (yes, that drink) "crowd-surfed" to him from the bar. While the faux-humility of the band's frontman can be somewhat grating in such a confined space, one cannot but admire his ability to make the crowd feel part of something special.

And so on to Whelan's, with speculation rife as to which of the big name acts would be pencilled in for a Wexford Street appearance. As it turned out, it was local boys made good The Script who managed to take their arena rock sound into the cosier confines of Whelan's and still sound like the slick, professional outfit they have become since forming in 2001.

Let's be honest -The Script are easy targets for music journalists who find their cloying, anthemic pop rock just a little too safe, contrived and chart friendly. But nobody who attended Whelan's last night could deny that The Script do what they do very well indeed - Danny O'Donoghue and the boys had the crowd eating out of their hands from the very first song. They played all the hits, with 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved' drawing a particularly rapturous response. The reality is that The Script are beyond the clutches of curmudgeonly hacks and journos and operate at a level where success is measured in multi platinum discs and audience participation on a grand scale.

And that was it for another year -Arthur's Day 2013 delivered the usual mix of local home-grown talent and international superstars and despite the cynicism and sniping that accompanied this year's event, it looks like it's here to stay.

Source: Entertainmentie / Dublin Weekender / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

The Script Once Again Rock Atlanta

Irish rock-pop band The Script are one of the most frequent concert performers playing in Atlanta in recent years. Wednesday night marked the third time in as many years that the soft rock band from Dublin have played the city.

Each time The Script have come to Atlanta the venues and audiences are getting bigger demonstrating the band's increasing popularity. From the Variety Playhouse to the Tabernacle and now the Lakewood Amphitheatre on the south side of the city, The Script are playing to bigger, more enthusiastic audiences.

Danny O'Donoghue, Mark Sheehan and Glen Power were joined on stage by touring members Rodney Alejandro and Ben Sergeant to play an hour-long set that included their hits "Breakeven", "The Man Who Can't Be Moved", and "Hall of Fame" interespersed with lesser known tracks from the latest album "3".

The band have always been noted for the way they interact with the audience and Wednesday was no different as lead singer Danny O' Donoghue used his wireless microphone to leave the stage several times much to the delight of the young fans who rushed from the lawn to get closer to the singer.

The Script are back in Atlanta as part of Train's "Mermaids of Alcatraz" tour. Besides The Script and Train, Gavin DeGraw opened the show in what is probably the best concert value of the summer.

Based upon the fans' reaction to the band it probably won't be too long before they're back in town.

Source: Atlanta Examiner / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

The Scripts 'Train' makes a stop at Comcast Center Mansfield

Train brought their "Mermaids of Alcatraz" tour to the Comcast Center on Saturday night 27th July with opening acts Gavin DeGraw and The Script.

Though the band was quite good and lead singer Pat Monahan worked the stage well, it would have been an even better show if the band had used the large screens set up in the back of the stage a bit more. At times they were black, with nothing on them, and at other times they had small flashing lights. It made it seem like the tour was a low-budget production instead of a show for a Grammy Award-winning band.

The Script utilized the small amount of stage they had available much more than Train. Lead singer Danny O’Donoghue and guitarist Mark Sheehan even had a bit of a contest to see who could chug a beer the quickest. “The show will go downhill from here,” Sheehan said, adding that if the crowd could still see them on the stage then they “weren’t drunk enough.”

The best part of the show was that all three acts interacted with the crowd. Monahan, O’Donoghue and DeGraw each came down into the crowd during their set at least one time. They performed from different points within the crowded Comcast Center and gave the venue a more intimate feel. Monahan sang “Marry Me” as he walked around and greeted fans, while The Script’s O’Donoghue ran down the aisles and let fans sing a verse to one of the band’s songs.

Source: Mansfield ledger / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

The Script went down a storm in Thetford Forest last night.

Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan and Glen Power were having so much fun they became the men who can’t be moved; they were that reluctant to leave the stage.

Forest Live 2013 at High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Suffolk Thursday 11th July 2013

Dublin’s finest had everybody rocking from the moment they walked out when they made a welcome return to Suffolk as part of Forest Live, the Forestry Commission’s annual concert series.

Since the release of their self-titled album in 2009, they’ve sold more than four million albums and nine million singles. Performing live is where they really shine, bantering with the sell-out crowd like old friends.

This included an ambitious photo-shoot and Danny, who told the audience off for letting him perform the first few songs with his flies down, serenading an audience member’s ex-boyfriend via her mobile phone.

The temperature may have dropped quickly but the band’s energy levels didn’t. Everybody was singing along to hit after hit like We Cry, a beautifully stripped back version of The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, For The First Time and several tracks from their new album #3 including Six Degrees of Separation and Millionaires

.

They finished with the band’s well-deserved encore, closing the show with a cracking rendition of Hall of Fame.

Source: IPS / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

The Script set records tumbling in Thetford Forest

A new record attendance was set for a concert in Thetford Forest on Thursday night as The Script delighted a 9,500 strong crowd.

It is about 14 years since the woodland venue started staging gigs and the appeal of the Irish band ensured that the new high was recorded.

Many well known acts have appeared at Thetford over the years from Status Quo to Ed Sheeran but none have managed to match the size of Friday night’s audience.

The Script last played at Thetford two years ago and since then they have become established on the global stage.

Their album sales have topped four million and the number of singles bought is heading towards 10 million.

Front man Danny O’Donoghue’s own meteoric personal rise to stardom has been accelerated with his key role as one of the four judges on the BBC’s hit talent show The Voice.

As O’Donoghue burst on to the stage he said: “Let me hear you scream. I wish you guys could see what I see.

“I cannot believe the amount of people here - it is incredible.”

A perfect summer’s night greeted the huge crowd and they were thrilled by the Dubliners’ set which included many of their hits including We Cry, Hall of Fame, The Six Degrees of Separation, Millionaires, If You Could See Me Now, The Man who Can’t Be Moved, Nothing and For The First Time.

The concert ended in style with a colourful storm of confetti scattered over the arena.

Source: Eastern Daily Press / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

REVIEW: The Script At The Isle Of Wight Festival 2013

Musical Highlights - Day Three:

The weekend drew to a close on Sunday night as The Script rocked out a number of their legendary hits which had over 50,000 people singing in unison. The Script frontman, Danny O'Donoghue, was wild on stage when performing hits such as 'Hall of Fame,' 'Break Even' and 'Man Who Can't Be Moved,' as he ran around before jumping into the audience.

It's clear the Irish ladies man loved the female attention as he tried to make his way through the screaming crowds - much to the dismay of security. Danny's cheeky charm made for a great performance, and he even brought The Voice finalist Andrea along ahead of this weekend's final. 

Best Gossip: 

Laura Whitmore was a personal guest of The Script, and there were rumours that She may be dating Danny O'Donoghue but they have been good friends for a number of years now so we doubt that is the case and a source revealed Danny is secretly dating Jessie J's make-up artist, as rumours go it is to be taken with a pinch of salt unless we hear otherwise from the man himself.

Biggest Security  Faux Pax:

The most cringing celebrity fail came as Gregg from The Script was refused entry to the hospitality tent for not having a wristband - despite having just headlined the main stage. The security embarrassingly had no clue who he was, although his management and onlookers tried to convince the security otherwise. Gregg wasn't a diva about the situation and instead laughed it off, and waited patiently to be confirmed entry. The security man was later left red-faced and had to apologise. Cringe!

Source: Dublin Weekender / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

The Script Premieres 'Millionaires' Music Video

The Irish soft rock band debuts their latest single via their new music video which they shot in London.

Irish pop-rock band The Script premieres their brand new music video "Millionaires", the latest cut from their third studio album "#3". It is also the fourth single to be released from their current LP which topped the Irish charts and peaked at No. 2 in the U.K. in the last quarter of 2012. 

Shot by the band in London, the clip features a lot less of the members, Danny O'Donoghue, Mark Sheehan and Glen Power than what fans would hope to see. Most of the footage features a group of friends who head out to the pub to basically just to hang out. 

Perhaps the trio want their fans to focus more on the music than on the visuals, as they roll out some pretty good lyrics. "They're kicking us out, saying it's time to close/ We're leaning on each other trying to beat the cold/ I carry your shoes and I give you my coat/ We're walking these streets like they're paved with gold." 

"Millionaires" follows lead single "Hall of Fame", which features Black Eyed Peas' leader and record producer will.i.am. The other two tracks are "Six Degrees of Separation" and "If You Could See Me Now", a tribute song to O'Donoghue's father and Sheehan's mother, who died within months of each other while their sons worked on their debut album.

Source: Ace / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

The Script: Third’s A Charm

You might catch a rocker take a swig of water while performing on stage in Singapore, but beer? Well, The Script are Irish after all, and you know how they love a pint or 2. Even if this wasn’t happening in some cosy pub, but at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, in front of a sold-out crowd of 9,000 on Good Friday, Mar 29. The feeling of intimacy and familiarity was there, nonetheless, as it was the Irish alternative rock band’s third concert in this country. They were here last September for a showcase at Avalon.

In any case, the alcohol was a good segue for Guitarist Mark Sheehan to tease frontman Danny O’Donoghue by telling the crowd that he was a drunk dialer. That led to the highlight of the night, when O’Donoghue asked their fans to take out their cell phones and call their ex-girl/boyfriends. As people were doing this, he casually walked down from the stage, took a phone out of a random guy’s hands and answered “Hello”. He then pointed the phone to the audience who screamed in unison, before starting to sing “Nothing” from their album Science & Faith, over the phone.

Who knows if the girl on the line had any clue what was going on, or even knew that the one serenading her over the phone was someone fans paid $151 for the category 1 ticket just to be near. It was clear that she’s one lucky girl and that the crowd thoroughly enjoyed that interactive number.

When lead singer, Danny O’Donoghue, emerged on stage singing “Good Ol’Days”, the crowd went ecstatic. He certainly knew how to charm. Into their second song, “We Cry”, he ran down the stage and stood on the barricade as crazy fans – mostly girls – grabbed and touched him. He sang the line “together we cry” and reached out to the audience in front who sang along to the same line.

Guitarist Mark Sheehan was dressed in the Irish signature plaid print pants and an accordion pleat kilt. The ginger bearded man ran up to the corner of the stage where he played his guitar solo, before throwing his pick to the crowd. The pick landed in the photographer pit where I was standing. Fans at the mosh pit were all screaming and pleading for me to give them the pick. Overwhelmed by their requests, I chucked the pick at them and 1 lucky girl managed to catch it. Although bummed about not being able to keep it, I’d to remember not to abuse UrbanWire’s editorial privileges.

When “Breakeven” came on, everyone sang along to it. The song about heart break when the girl he loves leaves him for another guy is one of the band’s top hits from their debut album The Script, and was certified double platinum in US and Australia. The band then played “Science & Faith”, followed by their breakout single “The man who can’t be moved”, that skyrocketed them to fame in their eponymous album.

Midway through the concert, O’Donoghue, Sheehan, and Power endeared themselves to their fans further, by dressing up as locals. They put on sarongs and straw hats to take a photo with the wild crowd behind as a memento. It’s “their thing”, something they do in every country they visit. The photo was then posted on their Twitter account with the tweet “Singapore, the long awaited pic! Best crowd ever! Skirts and hats! Big love.” After the photo was taken, they threw the hats and sarongs into the crowd. The fans went for them like bloodthirsty predators after their prey.

Before starting on the acoustic performance of the song “I’m Yours”, O’Donoghue revealed, “I wrote it 4 o’clock in the morning when I was broke and drunk and all I had was my guitar.” The sight of the audience waving their phone lights made it a very intimate and beautiful moment.

Ending the concert with “For The First Time”, their #4 top single from their second studio album Science & Faith, The Script left the stage while their fans continued singing. In what seemed like just a minute after they were gone, Danny managed to magically appear in the middle aisle among the sitting crowd singing “You Won’t Feel”. You have to hand it to O’Donoghue who really knows how to mingle with and please his fans.

The Script finished their encore performance with the much anticipated “Hall of Fame”. The collaboration with rapper from The Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am, on their third album, #3, topped the UK charts and stayed there for 2 weeks, a first for the band. What an awesome end to the concert!

Before the concert, admittedly while I enjoy their songs, it wasn’t to an extent to be crazy over them. However after this concert, they’ve converted at least 1 other person. Their stage presence is undeniable, the chemistry with the band was great, although drummer Glen Power was pretty overshadowed by his 2 band mates who were able to interact with the crowd more. They surpassed the crowd’s expectations by playing all the songs that they wanted and being so physically interactive with them.

Danny definitely stood out the most but I love Mark’s super high energy and how he ran around the stage throwing [guitar] picks and all. I really liked the part when everyone continued singing after the band exited, and Danny suddenly burst out from one corner.”

Source: UrbanWire / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

Optus RockCorps: Spectacular Sydney Concert – Media Room Interviews

5,000 Sydneysiders who earned their gig tickets by giving four hours of their time to volunteering, descended upon the Hordern Pavilion on the 11/4/13 for the inaugural Optus RockCorps concert to see Irish alternative rock band The Script, other artists included UK rapper Tinie Tempah and Aussie favourites, Guy Sebastian and The Potbelleez,They  rocked the stage for over three hours in an electric atmosphere, where the enthusiasm was as high on stage as it was in the crowd.

We had the chance to chat with Danny O’Donoghue from The Script, Tinie Tempah and the guys from The Potbelleez. Check out our exclusive video interview video below!

Source: Celebrity-oz.com

Perth Fans Dazzle The Script

The Script frontman Danny O'Donoghue gets close to fans at Perth Arena

DUBLIN trio The Script descended on Perth Arena last night to open their biggest Australian tour to-date in front of a screaming crowd.

Captivating frontman Danny O’Donoghue, who delivered an unfaltering vocal performance, was joined by energetic bandmates Mark Sheehan, whose voice also wowed, and Glen Power to perform a show that included popular Together We Cry, Breakeven and Science and Faith.

Two years since the group was last in town, O’Donoghue expressed his thanks and amazement at the turn out before launching into The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, with the crowd singing every word and even carrying the song in parts.

“That there is the reason we come to Perth,” O’Donoghue said grinning.

Following the phenomenal reaction to the fan favourite, The Script felt safe to perform their new song If You Could See Me Now from their latest album #3, before they worked their way through Before The Worst, If You Ever Come Back and Talk You Down.

After posing for a photo wearing Australian memorabilia including cork hats and with beers in hand, Sheehan took a quick survey of the crowd to see who was guilty of ever drinking too much and doing something regrettable on their mobile phone.

With that, O’Donoghue took a phone from a fan and dialled a lucky lad named Todd, who was kept on the line in the frontman’s hand while he sang Nothing.

The band stripped it back for a rendition of I’m Yours, during which even drummer Power picked up an acoustic guitar, and Six Degrees of Separation.

The Script wrapped up the evening with a powerful performance of Hall of Fame, part of a two-song encore, which sent the crowd into a frenzy.

“Thank you for such an incredible night - the first night of our Australian tour,” O’Donoghue said before disappearing from the stage.

The Script will next perform in Melbourne on Saturday before playing shows in Sydney and Brisbane.

Source: PerthNow / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

A swig with The Script

Midway through Irish band The Script’s concert on Sunday, guitarist Mark Sheehan quipped that one should think twice before bringing an Irishman to an open bar. “He’ll finish the whole thing,” he told the thousands of thrilled fans who filled The Big Dome to the rafters.

As if to prove Sheehan’s point, the alternative rock band’s tall, lanky and charismatic vocalist Danny O’Donoghue hoisted a bottle of beer, and, to much cheering and screaming from the crowd, emptied it with a single swig. Fittingly, he followed the antic with “Nothing”—a forceful song about a man, who, after getting himself drunk, starts calling his ex-girlfriend to confess that he is still in love with her.

Sheehan then cheekily urged the crowd to “do something inappropriate” by dialing ex-lovers’ numbers. O’Donoghue approached one of the girls near the stage, asked for her mobile phone (she gamely obliged), held it to his ear and, tenderly, began singing the song’s first verse to the person on the other end of the line.

Familiar themes

A girl near us, panting between shrieks, unwittingly summed up the spectators’ collective sentiment at that point: “Oh my God!”

As with “Nothing,” relationship problems and a brokenhearted man trying to win his woman back are themes that The Script treads every so often. Their songs deftly mask sentimentality and melancholia with rousing, uplifting and, at times, upbeat melodies. For about two hours, we were treated to just that, and then some.

The gig started almost an hour later than the scheduled 8 p.m., and the excitement at The Big Dome was palpable. Sensing the crowd’s eagerness, O’Donoghue wasted no time hopping off the stage and mingling with his fans as he opened with the anthemic “Good Ol’ Days,” lead-off track from the band’s latest album, “#3.”

Before soldiering to his next song, “We Cry,” O’Donoghue turned his back to the audience, struck a messianic pose with arms outstretched, and basked in the adulation. It didn’t take a lot to have everyone going: A flick of a finger, a wave of an arm or a fist raised in the air was all it took to make the girls swoon.

A feverish guitar player, Sheehan is no slouch, either. After all, the two are ex-members of Mytown, a late ’90s boy band (cheesy dance steps and all), that didn’t quite take off.

Arguably the band’s ultimate breakup song, “Breakeven” elicited a deafening sing-along. So did “Science and Faith,” prefaced by a swelling passage of percussion from drummer Glen Power. After chatting with the crowd, O’Donoghue began “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved”—the band’s 2008 breakout hit—a cappella, and finished it off with a mellow arrangement.

As they performed “Before the Worst,” “For the First Time” and “If You Could See Me Now”—hits culled from their three studio albums, “The Script” (2008), “Science and Faith” (2010) and “#3” (2012)—it was clear why the band became this big. Though hardly groundbreaking, its music works its way into the listeners’ hearts and minds with brisk, semi-rapped verses and radio-friendly choruses packaged in pop-rock, piano-driven sounds with streaks of R&B.

The lyrics are far from sweeping poetry, but very relatable, and could hit a forlorn lover like a speeding bus. From “Breakeven”: “When a heart breaks, no it don’t break even… What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up and you’re OK?”

Sometimes corny

The words can be corny, too, as those in the overtly saccharine “I’m Yours,” which the front-man performed bare-bones: “You wrap your thoughts in works of art / And they’re hanging on the walls of my heart.” But O’Donoghue’s vocals are earnest and his delivery affecting, flourished by a nice falsetto here, a tender vocal run there … that it’s easy to forgive him.

After performing 12 songs, The Script exited the stage prompting the crowd to chant: “We want more!” O’Donoghue reappeared in the lower box section for an encore. He sang “You Won’t Feel a Thing” while wading through the hordes desperate for photo-ops.

Finally back onstage, O’Donoghue championed self-empowerment with “Hall of Fame,” which ended with a burst of confetti and a crescendo of rumbling drums. The three-man band, together with two touring musicians, held and raised their hands, and bid everyone goodbye.

Not movin’

Yet again (as one of their songs goes), the crowd was not movin’. And with a little cheering and coaxing, the band gave in once more and found themselves ending the night the way they started it, singing “Good Ol’ Days.”

An encore after an encore? It was a first for The Script as far as touring goes, and it took a zealous Easter Sunday crowd for them to do it. On their Twitter account, they posted:

“Tonight was the first time we ever went back on and did another encore after the encore!! Ever!! Thanks for a great show everyone!!!”

Source: Philippine Daily inquirer / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

REVIEW: The Script at the Brighton Centre

I HAVE a sore throat this morning.

No, I’m not ill, this ailment is purely self-inflicted.

Last night (Wednesday, March 20), I saw The Script perform at the Brighton Centre, and I sang myself hoarse.

I’m unashamedly one of their biggest fans, but even those less obsessed with the Irish trio would have to admit the set list featured hit after amazing hit.

The band haven’t been to Brighton for two years, and it was clear the fans had missed them.

There wasn’t an empty seat or space on the floor, and the crowd lapped up every interaction, particularly from front man and heart-throb Danny O’Donoghue.

A moment of unintentional comedy came when they performed their second song of the night, We Cry.

Walking along the front row of the audience, Danny got several apparently tone-deaf fans to sing a line of the chorus back to him.

There were several excited shrieks, as well as some awful attempts at staying even in the vague melody of the song. But despite it hurting my ears, it made my sister and me giggle, so it was all good fun.

The show opened with Good Old Days, one of the tracks from their current album, #3.

We Cry came next, followed by one of their biggest hits, Breakeven.

Science and Faith, I’m Not Moving and If You Could See Me Now were next, by which point I was in my own little Script bubble.

Showcasing the fantastic live voice he has, Danny, also a judge on BBC1 singing contest The Voice, performed I’m Yours. Playing the guitar in a relatively pared-down version of the ballad, it was a rare moment of calm in the middle of the hit parade.

Before the Worst, If You Ever Come Back, Talk You Down, Nothing and Six Degrees of Separation rounded off proceedings, before the encore of You Won’t Feel a Thing and Hall of Fame ended a fantastic night of pop music at its best.

Source: Worthing Herald / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

Following Script For Top Show

Cameras at the ready: Fans clamour to take photos of The Scripts Danny ODonoghue at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena.

THOUSANDS of pop fans packed out Sheffield Arena when one of the music world’s most popular bands paid a visit to the city.

The Script stopped off at the Attercliffe venue as part of a world tour supporting their newest album, Three.

And judging by the female presence on the first few rows, frontman Danny O’Donoghue’s popularity isn’t just down to his group’s finely-honed tunes.

Fans were treated to a crowd-pleasing setlist including hits The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, For The First Time and Hall Of Fame, which reached number one last year.

Danny is also a judge on BBC talent show The Voice

Source: The Star / Subscription version / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

Script Hit High Note With Fans

The Script booked their place in the hearts of the Granite City with a storming set at the AECC.

The Irish group wowed the crowd during their sold-out Aberdeen date. It's been two years since they took to the stage in the city, and the trio, Danny O'Donoghue, Mark Sheehan and Glen Power did not dissapoint.

The Original Rude Boys warmed the crowd up, and then the moment the crowd had been waiting for arrived and The Script started their set just before 21.00.
Video footage and special effect helped to kick off the show, setting the tone for what was to come.

The group opened the show to a massive cheer from the AECC with Danny - who is also known as a coach on The Voice attracting appreciative whistles from adoring female fans.

A rendition of We Cry had the crowd moving and the band played a stream of their hits including Breakeven.

Highlights of the show included the hit Six Degrees Of Separation, which had the crowd singing along. The banter also proved to be a hit, with guitarist Mark Sheehan saying. "Thanks for coming out in the snow."

He also got the crowd laughing when he promted them to get their phones out ad call and ex for the groups song, Nothing.

Other favourites were, If You Ever Come Back and For The First Time. However The Script saved the best for lastwith Hall Of Fame. It saw Danny appear with a fiery torch which led to some impressive special effects.

The show ended to the band shouting, "We love you Aberdeen!" to huge cheers and with Danny waving a saltire.

Source: Evening Express / Edited: DannyO'Donoghue.Net

Review: The Script At The Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle

AFTER six years and three top five albums, the indomitable success of Irish band The Script shows no sign of stopping.

The boys have been selling out arenas across the UK following the popularity of their third album, #3, which was released last year and has already produced a number of hit singles, including Hall of Fame, a collaboration with lead singer Danny's fellow The Voice judge, will.i.am.

The number one single showcases the more distinctly urban edge of #3, which features rap segments from both Danny O'Donoghue and guitarist Mark Sheehan, in contrast to the mellower sounds of past records.

The group's world tour stopped off at a jam-packed Metro Radio Arena for a performance long anticipated by hordes of enthusiastic fans.

The Script burst on stage to the uplifting Good Ol' Days, the first track off their latest album, and it was instantly clear to see the changes in the band since they last performed in Newcastle two years ago.

With bold and dramatic staging, and well-executed special effects, the boys' live shows have grown in size and impact along with their success.

However, music was still the main focus of the night, with Danny and Mark, along with drummer Glen Power, playing their own instruments whilst providing flawless vocal performances.

Danny lived up to his reputation as a judge on reality television show The Voice, by blasting through some of the group's biggest hits seamlessly and with a sustained vigour and energy that entertained the crowd throughout.

The set list provided a variety of songs spanning all three albums; from the inspiring Science and Faith from the band's second album, to iconic classics from their debut self-titled album, such as The Man Who Can't be moved, during which the audience needed no encouragement to sing along.

Songs from latest album #3 proved equally popular, including the movingly personal If You Could See Me Now, which recently charted in the UK top 20.

Speaking in between acts, the boys proved themselves to be as down-to-earth as ever despite their sky-rocketing fame, and Danny kept the masses of screaming female fans entertained with frequent audience interaction.

In contrast to the energy of Nothing, sang down a mobile phone to an unsuspecting ex-boyfriend, the beautiful simplicity of I'm Yours captivated the audience on another level.

After a night which took audience members on a relationship rollercoaster, a marriage proposal in the audience ended the night on an optimistic high.

The Script entertained as always with a high energy and emotional concert that once again proved them to be one of the most talented and genuine bands in the music industry.

Source: Chronicle / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

Review: The Script at ECHO Arena

THEIR tour has sold out across the globe and it was easy to see why when The Script took to the stage at the ECHO Arena on Saturday.

The trio, Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan and Glen Power, raised the roof when they showcased songs from their third album, aptly titled #3.

The audience fizzed with excitement as the Irish alternative rock band delighted fans with hits including Hall Of Fame, Six Degrees of Separation and If You Could See Me Now.

But it was performances from their earlier albums which really captivated the audience.

Breakeven, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved and For The First Time raised the entire audience to their feet as they sang along to the band’s best-loved hits.

The Script, who are arguably one of the biggest bands to come out of Ireland, have enjoyed incredible success since the release of their first album four years ago.

Their UK arena tour sold out in just under a week and their last album spent five weeks in the top ten.

But surprisingly, the trio, who have shifted more than four million albums, appeared in awe of the reception from the Liverpool audience who screamed every time lead vocalist O’Donoghue so much as moved a muscle.

O’Donoghue, who has reached a new level of fame after his appearance as a judge on The Voice, clearly received the most of the attention but Sheehan is a force on stage too with outstanding guitar skills.

If you haven’t seen The Script live then you really are missing out.

The charismatic Irishmen put on a flawless show and had a great interaction with the crowd throughout.

The band even paid homage to the Beatles when they donned colourful military jackets and sang She Loves You – a nice touch which was appreciated if the booming applause was anything to go by.

The staging was simple but their stage presence more than made up for that and the sea of fans offered up a surprisingly mixed cross section of generations, proving that The Script have captured the hearts of many.

As the glitter fell from the ceiling and the lights faded, the Echo was filled with a united feeling that we all had witnessed something special.

Source: 8Electric / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net

Fans Followed The Script For A Night Of Laughs And Emotion

SOME hardy souls, had spent the entire afternoon queuing in the cold outside the Arena to see the Script, who were not due on until just before nine.

But these super-fans were rewarded handsomely when lead singer Danny O'Donoghue headed off stage during the first number and down to the front rows to get help with the "ooo-oo" section of vocals on Good Ol' Days.

He was back there again for the next up, We Cry, meeting and greeting and allowing the rest of the packed venue to be subjected to some variable standards of singing as he shared the microphone.

Moments earlier, this sizzling show had started most profoundly with reflections from the astronomer Carl Sagan."The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena," The voice-over declared before O'Donoghue, who also appears as a judge on BBC One show The Voice UK, and band-mates Mark Sheehan and Glen Power burst on to stage.

The enormously popular Breakeven, from their self-titled 2008 debut album, was third up and was enough to get vast sections of the seated areas on to their feet.

An elongated introduction, with more than a hint of U2, preceded Science & Faith, the title track from their second No 1 album. And then we were into whole-arena sing-along mode for The Man Who Can't Be Moved.

O'Donoghue seemed genuinely blown away by the crowd's reaction to this one, so much so that he took a seat on the front of the stage to soak in the adoration for a few moments. "See, that's why we come to Nottingham. Right there. An incredible moment," he declared.

And if he was feeling emotional then, it was tweaked up several notches as the band launched into If You Could See Me Now, off their third album, appropriately titled #3.

This, their latest single, a tribute to O'Donoghue's late father and guitarist Sheehan's late parents, was wrought with emotion.

After rattling through Before The Worst, Sheehan was back to form happily sharing anecdotes of a "messy" night out in Nottingham the night before the gig.

The fun kept on coming, with the inevitable Twitpic posed for with an ironing board O'Donoghue had allegedly stolen from the hotel.

And then O'Donoghue was getting an audience member to ring her ex before borrowing her mobile to sing 'Nothing' down the line to a presumably bemused 'Connor'.

"He hung up on me twice, so I called him back," O'Donoghue laughed.

This was entertaining stuff and the best was yet to come with Six Degrees of Separation and For The First Time taking us towards the encore.

And after deafening demands for the trio to return, O'Donoghue surprised everyone by appearing up in the enraptured stands to belt out You Won't Feel A Thing.

More touchy-feely moments accompanied his walk back to the stage for the predictable, but barnstorming, finale, Hall Of Fame, their collaboration with Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am and their only No.1 single.

Source: Nottingham Post / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net / Getty