The Script @ Hordern Pavilion, Sydney – 8 April 2011

It’s been a year and a half since I first saw The Script live. After that show I was buoyed and excited, thrilled to see one of the greatest pop acts of our time doing their thing in the flesh. As they say in the classics, what a difference a year makes.

Let me make it clear: I still think that The Script are one of the greatest pop acts of our time. But walking out after their Sydney show on Friday night, I felt none of the same euphoria.
My mediocre night started with Tinie Tempah. I have no clue who thought it’d be a good idea to pair the inoffensive piano pop of The Script with the stylings of this brash Brit rapper, but it was a weird mix, to say the least. I hated his music, but was amused by his arrogant on stage persona. There’s something very contrived about a performer who demands crowd participation. People will wave their hands in the air and sing along if they feel like it; you really shouldn’t need to push it. I also feel a bit cheated when a performer merely raps over the work of other musicians, but that might just be me. The Video Hits loving crowd on the floor seemed to lap up his set, but I spent it giggling and cringing at his over-the-top antics. At least I was entertained.

Hearing the familiar piano driven music of The Script was a welcome respite from all that hip hop garbage. The Irishmen delivered a really solid set featuring tunes from their self titled debut and their sophomore effort Science and Faith in equal measures. They interacted with the crowd, and I couldn’t help melting every time they told us how much they appreciated our support and country. We sang along loudly to the big hits, no prompting needed. See Tinie? We’ll sing if we want to.

It’s hard for me to put my finger on exactly what was missing, but I certainly didn’t feel the adulation I did the first time around. The venue didn’t do them any favours. The Hordern is like a bit shed, with terrible acoustics and a lack of real intimacy. I certainly felt removed from the band, as often it seemed like they were just performing for the squealing girls in the first few rows. I don’t expect that I’ll get the same show sitting on the sides, but I expect a band used to stadiums to play the room a little more. Perhaps after such a brilliant Cyndi Lauper concert last week, most nights are going to pale in comparison. Either way, there was something missing. A night spent with The Script is always enjoyable, but this show wasn’t quite what it could have been.

Image source: own photos

2 thoughts on “The Script @ Hordern Pavilion, Sydney – 8 April 2011

  1. I agree it wasn’t what it could’ve been…it was woeful. Went to the Saturday show. Thought Tinie Tempah was fresh, excited and eager to please….I wanted more. The Script were dull dull dull. Too much posturing and narcissim from the singer. To go into the crowd of screaming girls to get them to crucify your song once is unforgivable….multiple times is appalling, The guitarist jumped around on stage like he was in a metal band, except he played one chord. It was a joke….and don’t get me started on the irish tri-colour lining of the singers jacket. I wanted to gag. We left after 45 minutes.

  2. Wow – it sounds like all that attention to the kids at the front only intensified at your show. We got them singing into the microphone just the once, which was certainly enough for me. A sweet novelty to include them, but also painful. Danny also seemed really humble on our night, but I guess if you get enough crowd adulation it’s only a matter of time before it goes to your head. I guess at least your enjoyed Tinie Tempah … what a shame about the rest though.

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