Tonight, I find myself amid the buzz of Sydney’s ICC, where Irish rock veterans The Script are making their long-awaited return. For a band that has spent over two decades shaping mainstream pop-rock, tonight’s show carries an undeniable weight—it’s their first visit since the release of Satellites, their seventh studio album, and the first since the tragic passing of guitarist Mark Sheehan.
Since forming in 2001, The Script have carved out their legacy as one of the UK’s definitive pop-rock giants. Their catalogue is a playlist of milestones: over 10 billion streams (enough to earn the prestigious BRITs Billion Award), six UK Number One albums, two US Platinum-certified singles, and an undeniable love affair with Australia, where they boast five Top 10 ARIA albums and seven Top 40 singles. Tracks like Breakeven (5× Platinum) and Hall of Fame (10× Platinum, featuring will.i.am) still resonate across festival fields and emotional late-night playlists alike. Meanwhile, live staples like Superheroes and Rain continue to showcase their flair for balancing radio-friendly hooks with live dynamism.
Supporting the Irish juggernauts tonight are LA-based indie rockers X Ambassadors, originally hailing from upstate New York. Lead singer Sam Harris captivates the crowd with his raw, soulful delivery and commanding stage presence. He pauses to reflect on the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles, dedicating a song to the city—a moment that resonates deeply with an audience familiar with nature’s fury.
The lights dim, and one by one, the members of The Script take their places on stage. But it’s frontman Danny O’Donoghue who ignites the crowd into a frenzy. Emerging like a man on a mission from the photography pit, he bounds up a set of conveniently placed stairs and explodes onto the stage—a dynamo of restless energy darting from side to side, commanding every corner of the room.
During the second song, a blast of pink confetti rains down on the crowd, coating the stage and concertgoers in a shimmering storm of paper. It’s a euphoric release, and O’Donoghue feeds off the energy, leaving the stage once again to interact with the crowd. He reaches the barrier, and delights some fans as he pulls them into a communal singalong. For those lucky enough to be front-row, this isn’t just a gig—it’s an intimate moment they’ll be bragging about for years.
At the back of the room, two girls embrace, swaying in time with the music as the band glides through their set of pop-rock anthems. Nostalgia hangs in the air, but tonight’s show is about more than memory—it’s about healing, too.
Midway through, O’Donoghue pauses, his usual buoyant demeanour shifting as he opens up about the hardships of 2024. The death of Mark Sheehan, he admits, was the most difficult thing he’s ever faced. He dedicates If You Could See Me Now to his late bandmate, his voice cracks with emotion as he hits the final notes, and it’s devastatingly raw.
For the band’s Australian fans, it’s been a few years of waiting—and they’re making up for lost time tonight. The connection between The Script and their audience hasn’t dulled. If anything, it’s only grown stronger. By the time the final confetti blast falls, one thing is clear: Australia missed The Script, and they missed Australia right back.
The Script will play a few more Day on the Green shows in Australia, head HERE for details.
