THE WATERBOYS (featuring STEVE EARLE): ‘Fisherman’s Blues Revue’ OVO Hydro, Glasgow 29 August 2026 Live Review

Originally prompted by a ticket alert that Steve Earle would be playing in Glasgow, I was intrigued to discover that this would be as part of The Waterboys’ ‘Fisherman’s Blues Revue’ and also at the OVO Hydro (an arena and quite a step-up in size from both acts’ normal touring venues). Given that it was the ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ album which had first got me into The Waterboys’ music when it was released, attendance wasn’t even a question for me and a ticket was duly bought.

By 1988 The Waterboys had already released three albums before ‘Fisherman’s Blues’, they had enjoyed some chart success and “Whole of the Moon” had become a staple in many a student union around the country. With its more traditional Celtic folk feel, ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ was different, grabbed my attention and has never let go. It simply didn’t sound like any other music around at that time … although some Celtic folk influences could also be heard in Steve Earle’s ‘Copperhead Road’ album released in the same year. As an album, ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ also provided the hook to make me go back to The Waterboys’ earlier albums, to discover what I had missed and to follow them since.

The recording sessions for ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ are now legendary. Spanning a number of sessions recorded in different locations over two years this was an incredibly fertile period for The Waterboys. In addition to creating the original album these sessions have subsequently led to the release of – ‘Too Close To Heaven’ (a follow-up collection of songs from the sessions); a remastered Collector’s Edition of ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ (including an additional CD of previously unreleased songs); ‘Fisherman’s Box’ (a 6 CD collection of unreleased songs and alternate takes); the recent ‘Atlantic Rain’ (3 CD collection of unreleased songs); the ‘Strange Boat’ EP (5 additional unreleased songs due to be released later in September, but also available to buy on this tour); and the ‘Magnificent Seven’ (a 7 CD collection of unreleased and live songs recorded during this period and the recording of their next album ‘Room to Roam’.  Rarely can the recording of one album have led to such a creative outpouring and surge, and provided such a rich musical legacy.

Given the wealth of material recorded, it was not known how much of this might be played during the ‘Fisherman’s Blues Revue’ and how and where Steve Earle might fit in. Glasgow, as the opening night of the tour, provided the first chance to find out. As such, I approached the gig with much anticipation or in the words of the late Tim Curry who sadly died recently, “antici …….. pation”.

Touring without a support act, tonight was to take the form of The Waterboys playing two sets. Yes, please.

Opening with “Don’t Bang the Drum” and also playing the beautiful “How Long Will I Love You” and classic “Whole of the Moon” within the first five (yes, five) songs, it was clear that this was going to be a special night with such big songs played early. Throw in “Glastonbury Song” and “A Girl Called Johnny” between these and you could make that very special.

Dispensing with formalities, Mike Scott (on vocals, guitar and piano) had introduced the band early on - James Hallawell (piano and backing vocals), ‘Brother’ Paul Brown (Hammond organ, keyboards and backing vocals from Memphis, now Nashville-based), Aongus Ralston (bass and backing vocals, from Ireland), Eamon Ferris (drums, also from Ireland), Roar Øien (pedal steel guitar, from Norway) – who all matched the energy and passion of the songs, none more so than ‘Brother’ Paul Brown. When he was not energetically playing his distinctive Hammond organ with Yamaha keyboard tied on top, he  was wielding a large white keytar (or “white thing” as described by Mike) and darting around the stage swinging and soloing with his pre-programmed synthesiser recreating an electric guitar and making sounds to put many a guitarist to shame.



Having started so strongly and played their biggest hit so early, the question could have been how to follow that. Not a problem. From off stage came the wonderful and so familiar sound of Steve Wickham’s fiddle, as the former Waterboy played the unmistakable intro of “We Will Not be Lovers” while slowly walking on stage to join the band and lead them in song, as the audience roared and welcomed him back into the fold.

The richness of the band’s sound only increased with Steve’s contribution and this was followed with “Medicine Bow” and “The Raggle Taggle Gypsy” (a song title which could have been made up to describe Mike Scott and his fellow musicians perfectly had it not been a traditional folk song) during both of which ‘Brother’ Paul and Steve musically fenced with their fiddle and keytar and whirled around the stage. Taking things down a little, their cover of Van Morrison’s “Sweet Thing” was up next – at the risk of heresy, for me, one of the few covers which is better than the original, then the melancholic “Strange Boat”, before bringing the first set to a close with “Dunford Fancy” and “The Stolen Child”.

If I’m honest, I’m not a fan of bigger gigs and arenas. Sitting in the circles, the sound can sometimes be touch and go, and you can feel more like a spectator watching a gig rather than being part of it; The Waterboys’ music is very difficult to stay still to, and I’d wanted to be part of the gig, so had deliberately bought a standing ticket. I found myself down the front only 3-4 rows from the stage for most of the first set, but then moved to the side when the heat built up and where a number of fans had deliberately moved, so they could kick their shoes off, dance freely and get lost in the wonder of The Waterboys’ music, before I settled on the rear of the floor area for the second set. In all of these areas, Mike’s vocals were really clear and the band sounded great.

After a short break, it was time for the second set. The band, including Steve Wickham, return to the stage, this time also with Steve Earle who volunteers that “The Waterboys are one of only three bands I ever wanted to be in”. Things start as I had expected they might – Steve puts on his mandolin and the band kick into a wonderful version of “Copperhead Road”.  The last time I saw Steve play live was a solo acoustic gig at the Queens Hall in Edinburgh and here he was playing an arena as part of The Waterboys and couldn’t have sounded happier.

But, here’s where things change and were completely unexpected. Mike Scott takes a break for a few songs and The Waterboys become the house band and back Steve on a number of his own songs - “Guitar Town”, “My Old Friend the Blues”, “I Ain’t Ever Satisfied” and his latest single “Volver A Celaya” before which he movingly talks about the problems in his country, and friends who he has worked with who have lived and worked in the States for many years and built lives there, but who might now originally be thought of as “illegal” and could face being forced to leave the country.

Mike returns to the stage and the band launches into an unexpected and great cover of the Stones’ “Dead Flowers”, before Steve Earle leaves The Waterboys to close the set with a  run of the urgent “When Will We Be Married?”, “When Ye Go Away”, “Has Anybody Here Seen Hank?” “Come Back to Galway” and “A Bang on the Ear”.

It’s all back on stage for the encores – the always-uplifting “Galway Girl”, the untamed wild singalong beauty of “Fisherman’s Blues”, “Further Up, Further In” and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”.

Wow. Just wow.

While we could grumble and the gig might have lacked some of the deeper cuts from the ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ sessions which we might have hoped to hear live, this was a stunning and magical night of music which I’m still processing.

The faces may have changed, but Mike Scott has surrounded himself with a group of excellent international musicians each one of which is a master of their instrument(s). It would be wrong to single out any one musician. Individually and collectively, the quality of the music was captivating. The Waterboys have written some timeless songs and layered on top of this is a high level of musicality and ability. When playing together they only inspire each on to greater musical heights and the addition of Steve Wickham and then Steve Earle tonight only elevated this to greater heights.

The Waterboys took a couple of risks tonight. They booked an arena – could they fill it? While it wasn’t sold out, it was pretty full. Would a revue format and without a support act work? Absolutely, and you need to do this again - ten songs from Fisherman’s Blues, big older songs and fan favourites played early, Steve Wickham back on the fiddle, Steve Earle playing as an honorary Waterboy and being backed by them – with some of the best musicianship you are ever likely to hear on one stage. Does live music get any better than this? I don’t think it does. If you get a chance, get out and catch the revue while it’s still playing.

Fisherman’s Blues Revue: upcoming tour dates –

3 September – Valencia, Roig Arena

5 September - Dublin, 3Arena

7 September – Oslo, Spektrum

8 September – Stockholm, Filadelfia Convention Center

10 September – Amsterdam, Afas Live

11 September – Antwerp, Olt Rivierenhof

12 September – London. O2

GMcA

Phone photos by GMcA