Two months ago, guitarist Mark Sheehan of Irish trio the Script got a call from the band’s manager. “He said, ‘Oh, I had to cancel these other gigs that you really wanted to do,’” Sheehan tells the Music Mix. “I was like, ‘Aw, dude, why’d you do that?’ He joked around with me for a while, just made me feel terrible. And then he went, ‘Well, because Sir Paul’s asked: Will you guys support him?’”
“Sir Paul,” of course, is Paul McCartney, who was looking for an opening act for several of his American dates this summer. The Script — which includes singer/keyboardist Danny O’Donoghue (pictured, center) and drummer Glen Power (right) along with Sheehan (left) — accepted the former Beatle’s offer without hesitation.
They finally met McCartney face-to-face last Friday, right before their first show with him at N.Y.C.’s Citi Field. “We were kind of wondering, would we bump into Sir Paul in the hallway?” says Sheehan. “Should we go up and say hi? Do you call him Sir Paul, Macca, Paul, Mr. McCartney? We didn’t want to disrespect him! And then we were sitting [backstage] and all of a sudden the door opened and it was actually Paul McCartney standing there.” Sheehan and his bandmates eagerly drank up the older musician’s career advice. “He goes, ‘What is it like for you guys, coming from being a very small band? ‘Cause we as the Beatles had to go through that.’ The way he said that alone, we were like, ‘The Beatles!‘ He said, ‘John would do this and this…’ By the way, this John he’s talking about is John Lennon! Amazing.”
The Script opened for McCartney at two more Citi Field shows, and further dates are scheduled for August. “That’s always on the resume now, dude,” grins O’Donoghue. “When you’re old and wrinkly and you’re sitting there telling some kids that don’t really give a s— about your life, ‘Young laddie, I was in a band once…’ ‘Oh, really? What did you do?’ ‘We opened up for Paul McCartney!’”
Next Monday, the Script will add another sterling line to their resumes when they open for U2 in their shared hometown of Dublin. “80,000 Irish people all going mental,” says O’Donoghue. “It’s going to be unbelievable. To know that the stage is still warm from where you’ve been sitting, and then U2 are going to go out and take that position — it’s a bizarre thought to think that you’re sharing the same stage with the heroes of all of ours as kids.”
The Script are already stadium-fillers in Ireland and the U.K. But after the McCartney and U2 gigs wind up, they’ll go back to trying to break into the American market by playing comparatively tiny club dates. “That actually suits us,” says Sheehan. “In our minds, we’re still a small band.”
Any fans of the Script among you, Mixers? Did you see them open for McCartney — or are you looking forward to catching them at a more intimate venue?
More from EW’s Music Mix:
Paul McCartney gives Citi Field a first show for the ages
Oksana Grigorieva: Stream Mel Gibson’s ladyfriend’s full album for free
Perez Hilton reveals his label’s first artist: EW exclusive
Colbie Caillat, ‘Fallin’ for You’: watch the new video here
I have become a big fan of the The Script… what I wouldn’t give to be in Dublin for that show with U2.
God Bless Absolute Radio connection on ITunes on my computer!
We saw them on the 18th in NYC opening for McCartney. They were very good. Always good to hear real musicians and singers. Good luck to them.
I saw them at Citi Field and I really liked them. I didn’t know them before that so I didn’t know what to expect. Since then I’ve heard their song on the radio a couple times. I will buy their CD.
A friend saw the Script open for Adele a few months ago and told me I’d love them – she was right. “Breakeven” is pop perfection. I only wish they were opening for U2 when I see them in September!
I saw them at Citi Field on July 21st. They were very good and Danny O’Donoghue has a great voice. They played their hearts out for a crowd that had never heard of them. I wish them the best of luck.
I saw them at CitiField. I’m sorry, but I was not impressed. The antithesis of McCartney–no melody, just deafening beat and screaming vocals.
Good luck to them anyway.
I also saw The Script at Citi Field on Saturday July 18th. I am glad that Paul asked them to open for him as I enjoyed their music. Was also glad to see that they made an appearance on The View, a television talk show here in the United States. Good luck with your future endeavors and if you see Paul, tell him New York says hello and hurry back!!!!
i saw “Sir Paul” on the Tuesday show, started out raining but once Paul hit the stage — no more rain. the concert was magical and i have loved them since they were first the “mop tops”. i have 11 tattoos, all beatles, pauls violin bass, yellow submarine, here comes the sun, john’s glasses with strawberries and on and on!!!! paul, thank you for doing this concert you are magical and i also went with my best friend, which made it even more special. peace and love to all, lisa
i don’t know how i forgot this but “The Script” is awesome — can’t wait to buy their cd’s. thanks guys for all your enthusiasm on stage, it was so contagious. keep rockin’.
Caught the Script at citifield on Saturday night. Great energy, great music. Loved their cover of Heroes. I’m going to follow this group.
my intro to The Script was a few months back when one of their songs was the free download on itunes. I was crazy about it and went back to buy the entire album. would love the chance to see them in concert, and i look forward to much more of their music.