The Script returned to Cardiff last night for a show that was part emotional singalong, part Irish charm offensive – and the weather, as if perfectly timed, added its own dramatic flair.
Before the main event, support came from The Lottery Winners, who set the tone with their usual mix of indie pop and chaotic energy. Frontman Thom Rylance – self-declared ADHD in human form – spent a good chunk of the set bantering with the crowd. Whether he was shouting out audience members, joking with the sign language interpreter or accepting a fan’s belt mid-song, the result was the same: the crowd was in stitches. Behind the jokes, though, were big hooks and even bigger choruses, drawing from the band’s two UK number one albums. It’s not easy to warm up a crowd this well – but they absolutely nailed it.
By the time The Script took the stage, the anticipation was buzzing – and within seconds of launching into opener Superheroes, the heavens opened. It wasn’t torrential, but just enough to feel poetic. The band powered through, undeterred, running straight into Rain (of course), and it became one of those classic Cardiff Castle moments where the audience didn’t care one bit about getting soaked.
Danny O’Donoghue was in full frontman mode, explaining early on that the black eye he was sporting was thanks to being “sparked out” by a mate – no hard feelings, apparently – before throwing his shades into the crowd. He pulled a fan up on stage, disappeared into the sea of people throughout one song, and made the whole castle feel like a front-row experience.
The setlist was packed with fan favourites – The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, Breakeven, For the First Time, and Hall of Fame all featured – and with every track, the crowd sang louder. After14 songs, including a two-song encore, the band wrapped things up with Breakeven and a shower of sparkles.
It was one of those nights where everything came together – even the rain. A sold-out crowd, hit after hit, that felt ore like a greatest hits tour and a band clearly still loving what they do. Cardiff Castle has had some huge nights this summer, but this one was up there with as one of the best.
