Live Review: The Script - The O2, London 26/11/2024
After a tragic year of loss, The Script battle on & make a return to the stage on their Satellites World Tour. Stunning set-design, powerful performances & breath-taking ballads all culminating in an incredible tribute to the power of being able to continue a legacy in the face of adversity.
Tom Walker kicked off proceedings with an emphatic opening set. He set the tone for what was to be an evening of great music; with his most popular songs “Leave the Light On” & “Just You & I” being serenaded back to him by a packed-out O2.
As the stage lights darkened, the flashlights of phones helped brighten the arena. One by one each member of the band appeared, with travelling musicians Ben Weaver & Ben Sargeant slowly creating a tense atmosphere through a dramatic instrumental build-up. Frontman Danny finally emerged; donning a disco inspired black suit & red shirt. He made his way to the stage through the crowd, harmonising with lucky members along the way. “Superhuman” and “Rain” started the set and both songs made incredible use of both stages. Entrancing effects were all over the screens whilst a make-shift satellite was hovering over the four-piece as they performed.
There was great performances of tracks from the new album as “At Your Feet”, “Inside Out” & “Both Ways” with the latter having an incredible guitar breakdown for the outro. From this moment onwards it was fan-favourites only, with fans singing along to every word.
“Six Degrees of Separation” may have been the most dramatic performance of the night, with the trashing guitar accompanying Danny’s vocals of desperation; making for an incredibly emotional listen. Speaking of emotional, Danny dedicated “If You Could See Me Now” to recently passed band member Mark Sheehan. This tribute reiterated the importance of continue a legacy in the face of adversity.
“The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” received adoring screams as the familiar guitar plucks started to filter through the O2. You wouldn’t have been able to recognise the song was over fifteen years old, with people of all ages singing along to an indie classic. A short Irish interlude punctuated performances of “Nothing” & “For the First Time”, with both tracks receiving alternate, but welcomed, versions. I think this trio of songs is a testament to the longevity of the band, still gaining new fans all these years on.
The bridge of “For the First Time” rang round the arena as The Script briefly left the stage. After deafening demands of an encore, they returned with their new track “Home Is Where The Hurt Is”. The show finally came to a climax with the final two songs of the night. The first one saw Danny hopelessly falling into the crowd as he heartbreakingly performed “Breakeven”. Finally “Hall of Fame” saw out the show as emphatically as it started, with fireworks & confetti covering the arena & fans alike. It was an aptly-fitting way to close out the show for a band who are more than Hall of Fame worthy.
Words by Alex Peters
Photography by Charis Bagioki
