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The Waterboys have been led by Scottish singer and guitarist Mike Scott since the 1980s and have evolved through many line-ups, winning a fearsome concert reputation along the way. Indisputably one of the best live bands in the world, the 2025 group features double keyboard players Brother Paul from Memphis and James Hallawell from Cornwall, and is grounded by killer Irish rhythm section Aongus Ralston (bass) and Eamon Ferris (drums). They reconfigure music from all stages of the band's career, from the early "big music" of The Whole Of The Moon and classic album This Is The Sea through the roots-inspired Fisherman's Blues era and the run of in-form records that have poured out since 2015's Nashville-recorded Modern Blues, taking in soul, funk, country-rock and any other kind of music they care to play - and always rooted in Scott's songwriting mastery and a sense of exploration. Waterboys songs feature in the current or recent live sets of The War On Drugs, Bleachers, U2, The Killers, Tom Jones and many other acts but no one plays Waterboys quite like The Waterboys themselves. This year the band is touring their audacious new album on Sun records, Life, Death And Dennis Hopper, a brilliant concept record which tells the story of the maverick American actor and trailblazer. Audiences can expect Waterboys classics, new directions, drama, improvisation and musical fireworks.
Encore
Encore
Encore
Set 1
Set 2: Life, Death and Dennis Hopper
Set 3
Encore
Mike Scott once again was in top form, but in several songs the keyboards sounded a bit tinny and other instruments weren't coming through clearly. Even the vocal quality seemed less than what one expects from a reputable NYC venue, such as Town Hall.
I knew before the show that I would be experiencing something very special, and I did. Lots of NYC music royalty in the house--James Maddock, Steve Earle, Wilie Nile, Ken Rockwood of Rockwood Music Hall. An Appointment with Mr. Yeats was almost operatic, the band covered the entire album. It was just what one would expect from the mystical, spiritual Mike Scott. The evening ended on a perfect note with Whole of the Moon. Town Hall is a lovely venue, but the security staff member running up and down the aisles chastising people for using flash was distracting. I was also surprised that latercomers were seated DURING some of the songs, not during breaks (I wouldn't have seated them at all, the rest of us managed to be in our seats on time).
