Live Report: The Script Welcomed with Open Arms at the 3Arena

There’s always something special about an Irish band playing an Irish venue. Coming home and showing what they’ve become is a source of pride for band members and fans alike. As a dark square curtain drops from the ceiling to cover a stage built at the back of the standing area, the atmosphere is one of high spirits and good-natured banter as the crowd try to sneak a peak into this mysterious set-up.

With a bang, the curtain is pulled away to reveal the three band members on a hydraulic stage lift, right in the middle of the standing crowds. As the stage begins to rise to eye-level with those seated, the trio launch into ‘Superheroes’, easily filling the small set with their energy as the crowd shrieks with delight at this opening set-up.

As The Script move back through standing to take centre-stage, green confetti pouring down from the ceiling, the show becomes one of lights, colour and sound - and love and appreciation. “We get so nervous backstage when we’re coming on here, because you’ve been there for everything,” bassist Mark Sheehan proclaims. “Right from our first gig at The Sugar Club”. Vocalist Danny O’ Donoghue then goes on to state that Irish fans aren’t just fans - they’re family. And as the crowd takes over the singing of ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’, you get a sense of just how much this band are loved here - and how much they’re moved by this tide of support and swaying.

For just over an hour and a half, they take us on an emotional rollercoaster of big hits and Freedom Child singles, accompanied by a light show of rolling visuals of a city sky from dawn to dusk, LED stripes of colour moving up and down grey skyscrapers and an LED piano that flashes in time to the beat. Orange stage lights, emotive black and white clips of a young woman to trippy 3D backgrounds. You never know where to look - and to prove this, the band suddenly appear in the seated area stage-right for an acoustic set of ‘If You Ever Come Back’ - drummer Glen Power now carrying a guitar - and proclaim that “We are a band of the fucking people. We started out in the audience just like you”.

Through messages of freedom and positivity, equality and love and another break for freedom from O’ Donoghue as he again appears in the seating area and makes his way along the front row of seats - hugging people, giving high-fives, smiles and nods - the immersive experience of attending a Script concert is confirmed. ‘No Man Is An Island’ leaves people dancing and shuffling, with ‘Rain’ seeing the seating area up and on their feet. And as the trio close the gig with an encore of ‘Falling to Pieces’ followed by ‘Hall of Fame’, you get the feeling that they - and the audience - couldn’t be any prouder.