The Script Concert in Manila

Back then, I knew the song “The Man Who Can’t be Moved,” but I did not know that it was The Script who sang it. I thought it was James Blunt, because they sound almost the same. But when my friend, Gillian, lend me her earphones to listen to “Breakeven,” she corrected my false belief. And then the song struck me and the wounds of a broken heart felt raw. The song really talks how most break ups end – one-sided, unfair and unequal. I was so overwhelmed and drowning in pain and hurt as the male vocalist sang and whispered the lyrics of the song in my ears. His voice is like that of a mature and wise chap – manly, husky, and sexy. Yet, he sings about breakups, love’s lost, waiting in vain, and painful memories. I can so relate with the songs during those times that I was brokenhearted, depressed, and trying to move on. Truly, the Irish trio, composed of Danny O’Donoughe, Mark Sheehan, and Glen Power, who mix pop, alternative rock, hiphop, and RnB in lyrical contemporary narratives are my good ‘ol mates! Hehe. :)

Thus, when I heard the news that The Script is coming to Manila on April 16 for a concert at the Araneta Coliseum, I immediately announced to my friends and dragged my housemates to watch. In eagerness, I bought our tickets three weeks before the show. But Da, my friend, gave me a warning and “discouragement” saying that they are not good in playing live music. But after the show, I think, she was just jelly that I would watch the concert and she wouldn’t. Haha! :)

 Ate Sha, Ate Danika, and I got at the venue maybe 45 minutes before the show. And boy, the seats were already full! Good thing, we know how to make diskarte and we managed to squeeze in. It was already 8pm when the stage was prepped. Everytime someone would come up on the stage or some lights would be turned on, the audience would scream in anticipation and excitement. Maybe it took ten minutes to set up the whole thing and when the members of The Script finally climbed up the stage, the whole crowd roared in enthusiasm. The band’s first song was “We Cry” and their energy was so high! It went on through their singing of “Before the Worst,” “The End Where I Begin,” “Dead Man Walking,” and “If You Ever Come Back.” Mark was rocking it with his guitar, Glen was pounding hard on the drums, and Danny was wow-ing the audience with his dynamic vocals while dancing a bit while they sang “Rusty Halo.” For me, it was the highest point of their performance. Danny was even running back and forth and climbing up and down the stage. This caused him to take off his jacket afterwards! Hahaha! :) The band mellowed down a bit when they sang “Science and Faith,” “Talk You Down” and “If You See Kay.” I think the next part was Mark asked us to raise our hands up in the air for a tweet pic. Haha! :) They were so kulit!

Of course, they wouldn’t miss playing their phenomenal hit “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved,” to which us, the audience sang a capella until the first stanza. Then, the music played on and Danny sang the whole song. And then, Mark introduced the next song by narrating how the song was created. He gave a teaser that it is about getting drunk and having your friends around while you get yourself wasted. He said Danny was so drunk, like he usually is, and wrote the song “Nothing.” Of course, the whole crowd screamed upon hearing the popular song. Danny also serenaded the audience with his sweet sweet voice in the acoustic song “I’m Yours.” Of course, I, and the other ladies in the coliseum was kinikilig the whole time! But I think the band was teasing us when Danny bowed and appeared to end the concert. And the whole crowd was in shock and disbelief that the concert would end that way. They hadn’t even sung “Breakeven” yet, so we, the audience, were chanting and shouting “Breakeven Breakeven Breakeven Breakeven Breakeven” for them to come back on the stage. After a few minutes, they did show their faces again. Haha! :) Their final songs were “For the First Time” and of course, the most requested song during the concert, “Breakeven.” They ended the show by thanking Manila for our warmest welcome and appreciation of their music and Glen throwing his drumsticks! Crazy! :) All in all, they played 14 songs, from which I only knew 9. But when we went home at around 12mn, my housemates and I were still singing the songs and we even researched the songs that we heard in the concert for the first time. Fangirls much! Haha! :)

It was the best night of my singlehood life. But my past heartaches, which inspired me to listen to the songs of The Script, were not with me during the concert. It was pure invigorating, enlivening, and spine tingling love that I felt. It was kilig and sheer happiness that I embraced as I screamed my heart out during the concert. The band tugged our heartstrings, made us remember the persons that we love whom we dedicate the songs to, and made us felt in love again. Through the artful twist of rap and soul, they overwhelm us with the bittersweet feeling of love and losing. You bet, I lost my voice afterwards. In fact, I still have sore throat while writing this blog. Imagine how loud I shouted! Haha! :) I just wished I could have bought the patron or at least the upper box seats so I could see them clearer. Nonetheless, Danny and the rest of the band hit our hearts with their music and lyrics. And The Script lovesickness will go on… at least in our house where my housemates and I constantly play their songs, especially I, who is so inlove with Danny, my baby. Haha!

 Love is why we do it, love is worth the pain

Love is why we fall down, get back up again

Love is where the heart lies, love is from above

 Love is this, this is love…”

– This is Love, The Script