Coming off their summer tour with OneRepublic and American Authors, followed by some September UK dates, The Script made a very special appearance in NYC on Wednesday October 1st at Hammerstein Ballroom. Comprised as a three-piece band since their founding in 2002, lead vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist Danny O’Donoghue, lead guitar/backing vocals Mark Sheehan , and drummer/backing vocalist Glen Power have accomplished a great deal over the years with three straight platinum-selling albums and a list of successful singles heard all over a variety of genre platform radio station. In support of their fourth studio album, No Sound Without Silence released on September 12th, the Irish Pop Rock act continues to top international charts as they look to broaden their sound. Joining them for this appearance in The Big Apple was Twin Forks, which was greeted by an ecstatic audience rushing in early to find a good spot on the large open floor of Hammerstein Ballroom.
Formed in 2011 by Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba, Twin Forks is a classic Folk Roots Rock band. Releasing their debut self-titled LP back in February, the band has garnished attention with their colorful upbeat tunes. Starting their set with “Can’t Be Broken,” the toe-tapping tunes kept coming with “Something We Just Know” and “Plans.” Carrabba, full of life and enthusiasm, stated while he is native to Nashville that he did in fact spend nine years in New York which stimulated a warm reception from the audience. His personality shined through not only in his conversation with the room but through the music as they played on with “Plans” and even snuck in Dashboard Confessional song “Stolen.” Having everyone cheering and enjoying themselves, Twin Forks’ Americana styling was a winner as they played favorites such as “Cross My Mind,” “Kiss Me Darling,” and “Scraping up Pieces.” The mix of mandolin, guitars, and clap-along beats were irresistible as the set concluded with “Back to You.” Fans of feel good modern Folk Rock definitely need to check out Twin Forks.
Warmed up and ready to go, a full Hammerstein Ballroom awaited patiently for The Script to take the stage. While conversing amongst each other, having a drink and sharing some smiles, all of a sudden the show began with The Script popping out with new Irish Anthem “Paint The Town Green.” Dressed by an array of colorful lighting, the band appeared extremely pumped up as they played each song with energetic urgency. Matching their output, screaming fans sang along with “Before the Worst” and new hit “Superheroes.” Bouncing from keyboards to hands high in the air clapping, O’Donoghue sang vividly with inflections on par with studio recordings and emotion only felt from a live performance. Capitalizing on that midway through the performance they went into their breakout hit “Breakeven” which provoked a overwhelming reaction of singing and cheering from the audience.
Moving into more newbies from No Sound Without Silence, New Yorkers were hearing songs like “Man On A Wire” and “No Good in Goodbye” for the first time live and loving it. Mixing in more easily recognized fan-favorites such as “Science & Faith,” “Six Degrees of Separation,” “Good Ol’ Days,” and “Nothing,” The Script was balanced and pleasing in their approach. Including the audience with enticing hand movements and clear eye contact with those on the floor, O’Donoghue’s presence as a frontman was felt strongly all night. While their followers were elate to see them, many had handmade signs with messages for the band and one even read “Happy Birthday Danny,” addressing the lead vocalists birthday two days away.
As their set wound down with “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved,” “If You Could See Me Now,” and beautiful “For The First Time,” the noise level reach peaked volumes with unison singing from the crowd. Certainly a sight to see such dedicated support for The Script, a justified encore followed with 2010 track “You Won’t Feel a Thing.” This is when the top exploded off Hammerstein Ballroom and O’Donoghue affectionately said this next song is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things going into “Hall of Fame.” Sending chills down the spines of all in attendance, this was a storybook ending to a wonderful night of music.
This was a special evening celebrating music, life, and the undeniable talents of The Script. Their mix of Pop, Rock, and thoughtful lyrical composition had experiencing a blanketed feeling of joy. While The Script’s touring in North America is concluded for 2014, next year will bring an extensive touring abroad as they reconvene in February 2015 to excite the rest of the world.
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