Fans of Irish pop-rock band The Script received a treat on Thursday evening in the form of an intimate gig at a well known Toronto pub.
P.J. O’brien’s on Colborne Street hosted the band, who are in town promoting their new album Satellites, and set to perform a show at HISTORY on Friday night.
The Script, which was formed in Dublin, Ireland, let its social media followers know it would be performing a short set at the east-end establishment hours before they took the stage on Thursday.
“We are playing a few acoustic songs at @pjobrienpub tonight at 8pm ET to celebrate the release of our new album…It’s first come, first served, so be sure to get there early!” the band wrote in an Instagram post.
And people turned out in droves.
A video shared by a fan in the crowd captured the moment everyone began singing along to the band’s 2008 hit single “Breakeven.”
@nowtoronto The Script fans gathered at P.J. O'Brien's in Toronto on Thursday to catch a glimpse of the band, who were playing a show at the well known institution ahead of the release of their new album, which drops today.
♬ original sound – Now Toronto
“This is just one of those songs that is meant to be sung at the top of your lungs,” the creator of the video wrote in the post.
The pub, which is a popular spot among Toronto’s Irish population, told Now Toronto it was an honour to host the band.
“We were expecting there to be a big turnout as the Script has such a large following especially among the Irish community, however you never know what to expect,” Grainne O’Keeffe, General Manager of P.J O’Brien’s, told Now Toronto in an email statement.
Given the band’s substantial fanbase, the pub hired extra staff and security as an additional safety measure.
P.J O’brien’s is no stranger to hosting live shows, and The Script chose it as the venue because a person close to the band suggested it.
“We came recommended by a family member of their team as the best Irish bar in Toronto to host this event,” O’Keeffe explained.
Because it’s a small venue not everyone in attendance was able to get inside, however staff opened the doors behind the stage so fans in the street could enjoy the concert too.
“Guests moved to the open door to watch them perform and as the gig went on more and more people gathered on the streets,” O’Keeffe said.
“It was amazing to see so many people inside and outside singing along to all the songs…It was an incredible night that I will remember for years to come as will everyone who attended,” she concluded.
The Script is playing tonight at HISTORY and its new album Satellites drops today.
