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Press and Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Review: Do The Waterboys still have it? I went to Aberdeen Music Hall gig to find out
The Waterboys seem to be one of these bands that have been around since the dawn of time – despite having a habit of chopping and changing its line-up. And apart from a seven-year break in the 90s, it seems like they've never stopped touring – which for some groups can be a hinderance. I'm sure we've all had that thought at least once when leaving a gig of someone who has been around the block for decades: 'Nah, they've not got it anymore'. So with Mikey Scott and The Waterboys playing The Music Hall in Aberdeen this past Wednesday, I thought I would go along and see if the folk rockers still 'had it'. Having only gotten into their music recently, my cousin Joshua and I certainly felt like the youngest people at the iconic Granite Mile venue on Wednesday night (the band were on to their eighth album by the time I was born). But 66-year-old Mikey was on hand to help the crowd roll back the years – with his presence and dynamism bringing the packed hall back to the glory days. Kicking off with Be My Enemy, the crowd were right up for it thanks to the whine of Scott's guitar riffs and unrivalled wall of sound coming from the whole band. A special shoutout must go to piano player Famous James and Brother Paul on the keyboard, who kept the energy going all night long flanking Scott on either side. Their near five minute solo towards the end of the gig was a personal highlight for me, with James joining Paul on his instrument to almost hammer the keys out of their block, as they wowed the sold-out Music Hall. After the first whirlwind of songs, Scott began to reminisce about his first visit to Aberdeen all the way back in 1972 as a 13-year-old when his mother worked at the university. 'We would walk up and down Union Street all day,' he quipped, as the rocker ran through tales of spending days (and all his pocket money) at Codona's Arcade. And it wasn't long before Trump International Links got a mention too, which Scott branded as being 'owned by the biggest liar in the world'. And after a verbal exchange with what seemed a more MAGA-leaning Aberdonian (including some words which can't be printed) The Waterboys were back underway… As the band walked off for the encore, everyone waited in anticipation… It was time for the big one. Many people won't have heard of The Waterboys, but they would have certainly heard the timeless classic The Whole of The Moon. And seeing it live did not disappoint, as the crowd joined in on every word with Scott playing musical chairs and taking over piano duty. Once the band walked off stage following Fisherman's Blues, it felt as though the two hours had flown by – a testament to the group's ability to still be able to put on a show all these years later. So I would be more than happy to go back to see The Waterboys play The Music Hall again – which wouldn't be too far away considering this was their seventh outing here.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
The Waterboys review: New tunes and old classics in the mix at 3Arena
The Waterboys, 3Arena, Dublin,★★★☆☆ Mike Scott doesn't faff about, jumping straight into a flailing and urgent Be My Enemy, kicking out encouragement to the other Waterboys around him to keep up. To his left, visual foil and professional rock'n'roller Brother Paul chops at the organ keys like they've challenged him to a fight. Without breath or break they charge into Medicine Bow with Scott clanging out the changes on his Perspex guitar and personifying that 'typhoon on the rise'. The Waterboys go at it like a gang of young lads in a battle of the bands rather than a seasoned act. 'Nice to be back. Nice to be home,' honorary Dub Scott tells us before they hurtle on. This Is The Sea is recast ('Things happen, songs change,' says Scott) as mid-period Dylan with lyrics altered to allude to '1933' and 'a thousand ways to complain". It's fairly plain who he's aiming his ire at. The middle section presents their admirably ambitious concept album Life, Death and Dennis Hopper. Despite Scott and co picking the choicest cuts, including a rocking Hopper's On Top, The Who-like Transcendental Peruvian Blues, and a very groovy Michelle (Always Stay), and converting 3Arena into a psychedelic cinema to present them, audience reaction is more polite than rabid, presumably due to unfamiliarity. The Waterboys at 3Arena, Dublin. But while my mate Kate texts 'What's this?' and another nearby punter starts watching GAA on his phone, many more are turned on to some fine music. Job well done, Scott thanks us for listening, and returns to more familiar fare. The opening trumpets swell of Don't Bang The Drum reawakens the doubters and when the beat kicks in – rhythm section Eamon Ferris and Aongus Ralston are solid as the Brian Boru Bridge – the place goes bananas. Brother Paul gets his Keytar out for A Girl Called Johnny, throwing shapes like a man wrestling a particularly slippery fish but in a very funky way. Both he and fellow keyboardist James Hallawell lose it altogether for The Pan Within, duelling from across the stage before wrestling the same instrument to close it out. More cameras flash than for the last papal visit when Scott encores with The Whole Of The Moon, repeating the 'Too high, too far, too soon' refrain for maximum effect. But the best is saved for last as fiddle god Steve Wickham re-joins the band for a truly uplifting Fisherman's Blues, taking this reviewer all the way back to Shinrone in 1988. A game of two halves then, but two very good ones. Read More Iggy Pop review: Veteran rocker makes welcome return to Dublin for In The Meadows
