The Script review: Scorcher in Limerick as Danny O'Donoghue and co thrill at Thomond Park

Irish Examiner

2 days ago

The Script, Musgrave Park, Limerick ★★★★☆
The Script paid a moving tribute to their deceased band member Mark Sheehan on their only Irish date of the year on Saturday before a sold-out crowd of 28,000 in Thomond Park, Limerick.
'I want to thank every single person in here for all of your prayers over the past year and a half,' said singer Danny O'Donoghue in reference to the guitarist and founding member who died in April 2023 following a short illness. 'I'm sure there's a big gig going on in the sky right now. We wish they were all here.'
Before breaking into a passionate rendition of If You Could See Me Now, he dedicated the song to 'anybody who've lost somebody'.
James Bay in Thomond Park. Picture: Kieran Ryan-Benson
Earlier in the evening, Cork native Allie Sherlock had kicked off the festivities as concert-goers tried to cool themselves down with hand fans as temperatures reached 30C in the Treaty City.
English singer James Bay was also on the bill, rolling out hits such as Let It Go and Hold Back The River, with the crowd singing along with every word.
The Script's current line-up of O'Donoghue, Glen Power, Benjamin Seargent and Ben Weaver, walked to the stage at 8.40pm for their only Irish gig of the year, as part of their Satellite tour.
As Superheroes started to play, O'Donoghue greeted those near the gates and blew kisses to the ones further away.
'Limerick, you can do better than that,' he teased.
The band treated their fans to some of their biggest hits, including Six Degrees of Separation and Breakeven, all performed with boundless energy.
O'Donoghue asked the public to sing The Man Who Can't Be Moved as loud as they could, so anyone 'who's not in here right now' could listen - a nod to those sitting outside the stadium, cheering from afar.
The Script performing in Thomond Park. Picture: Kieran Ryan-Benson
One lucky fan, Charlie, got to join O'Donoghue on stage as he sang a piano ballad to the 'love of his life', who was keeping an eye on him from the stands. Earlier this year, the 44-year-old Dublin vocalist tied the knot to French woman Anais Niang.
As balloons were released in the air, the band got everyone moving on a well received cover of David Bowie's Let's Dance.
For their encore, they offered three more songs, including hits Breakeven and Hall of Fame.
A speech before the latter tune reminded the Limerick audience of the importance of live gigs such as this.
'These days, we just want connection,' said O'Donoghue. 'The connection that we feel here in Thomond Park.'
As he encouraged everyone to join him in 'living each day like it's their last', he said: 'I want to dedicate this song to anybody who's going through hard times. Every time you hear this song from now on, you'll remember tonight.'
The Script pass the baton to the Wolfe Tones on Sunday, as the folk veterans play their second gig in Thomond Park in recent days. It's all made for quite a weekend in Limerick.
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Out and about in Thomond Park
Friends Leanne Kelly and Julie O'Neill celebrate their joint birthday at the Script in Thomond Park. Pictures: Kieran Ryan-Benson
Noel Furlong among the crowd at Thomond Park.
A young fan appreciates a cold cup of water from event staff before the Script take to the stage.
Ian and Kate Ryan from Bother, Co Limerick.
Event staff handing out water to fans to help cool them down as temperatures soared in Thomond Park.
A group of Script fans at Thomond Park.
Trish Wade, Anne Marie O'Brien, Olivia O'Donnell, Joanne Brown, Pat Wade and Damien Browne from Ballyneety, Co Limerick.
Freya O'Regan and Elena Courtney.
Rachael Freaney, Megan Allace and Aoife O'Brien.