Camille Naredo

Article (news)

Danny O’Donoghue

Ganiel Krishnan

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Irish band The Script is gearing up for what frontman Danny O’Donoghue describes as a “bigger and better” concert experience as the group prepares to bring its “Man In The Arena Tour” to Manila in March 2027.</p><p>Fresh from announcing their upcoming album “The User’s Guide To Being Human,” O’Donoghue shared that fans can expect a more theatrical and immersive concert compared to their previous shows in the Philippines.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2026/5/25/why-the-script-s-danny-o-donoghue-loves-to-perform-in-ph-1346">READ: Why The Script&#x27;s Danny O&#x27;Donoghue loves to perform in PH</a></div><p>“We have a brand new album out, ‘The User’s Guide To Being Human,’ which by that time, fingers crossed, will be a hit,” he said during an interview. “We are putting a lot more on the stage craft because everybody knows when they come to see us, it’s a sing-along moment.”</p><p>According to the singer-songwriter, the band is now exploring a more narrative-driven concert style inspired by the evolving direction of live music performances.</p><p>“I wanna do some narratives because I feel like live music is moving towards a little bit more theater, more of a show. We got a few surprises and we can’t wait,” he added.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb-fmRfuLAQ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A191415.39999997616%2C%22ls%22%3A190518.10000002384%2C%22le%22%3A191401.20000004768%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="877" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>O’Donoghue also opened up about the meaning behind the album title “The User’s Guide To Being Human,” saying it reflects the need to reconnect with genuine human experiences amid the rise of technology and artificial intelligence.</p><p>“I wish I had a user’s guide to being human, well, we all do,” he shared. “In the day and age where there’s so much AI and robots, sometimes we tend to forget what we are supposed to be doing while we are here.”</p><p>The singer revealed that recent moments in his personal life, including spending quiet walks in nature with his wife without phones, inspired the project’s themes.</p><p>“You just feel like you can breathe properly for once,” he said. “Try to take somebody else in, enjoy the energy, look at people in the eye instead of looking at the phone and not really living.”</p><p>He explained that while the album still carries the emotional storytelling The Script is known for, its message feels even more relevant today.</p><p>“We covered the whole spectrum of emotions that we normally do for a Script album, but I feel like it’s more needed these days,” he said.</p><p>Meanwhile, O’Donoghue described their latest single “Man In The Arena” as a modern anthem similar to some of the band’s most motivational hits like “Hall of Fame” and “Superheroes.”</p><p>“It’s just such a get-up-and-go kind of song,” he said. “I do a lot of boxing and combat sports and I wanted a song that would keep me going during the last 10 minutes when there’s nothing left.”</p><p>“People are used to ‘Hall of Fame’ and ‘Superheroes,’ so I was like, we need a 2026 version of those songs,” he added.</p><p>Despite the Manila concert happening in March 2027, O’Donoghue said it was important for the band to visit the Philippines early for promotions because of their strong connection with Filipino fans.</p><p>“The Philippines means a lot to us,” he said. “We are trying to get bigger and better over here every time.”</p><p>He also shared that the band wanted to give Filipino fans enough time to prepare as they plan to expand their performances in the country.</p><p>“We love this place. We feel at home a lot here,” he said.</p><p>One thing O’Donoghue particularly loves about performing in the Philippines is how musical Filipino audiences are especially during crowd singalongs.</p><p>“When you go to a concert in other countries, everybody sings but not everybody sings in tune,” he joked. “But over here, it’s like you’ve hired a choir because everybody is in unison.”</p><p>“Everybody is so good at karaoke and singing. You kinda hear the accent come out though even in crowd singing, so it’s very fun,” he added with a laugh.</p><p>The Script are coming back to Manila and bringing their “Man In The Arena Tour” on March 18, 2027 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Presented by  Wilbros Live with Midas Promotions. Tickets go on sale on Friday, May 29, 9:30 a.m. via  SM Tickets outlets nationwide.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sPKWiE5MioQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div>

<p>Irish band The Script is gearing up for what frontman Danny O’Donoghue describes as a “bigger and better” concert experience as the group prepares to bring its “Man In The Arena Tour” to Manila in March 2027.</p>

Irish band The Script is gearing up for what frontman Danny O’Donoghue describes as a “bigger and better” concert experience as the group prepares to bring its “Man In The Arena Tour” to Manila in March 2027.

The Script returns to Manila with ‘bigger and better’ show for 2027 tour

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Events

The Script returns to Manila with ‘bigger and better’ show for 2027 tour

Ganiel Krishnan,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 25, 2026 09:43 PM PHT

Read More:

The Script

Danny O'Donoghue

Man In The Arena Tour

concert

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.