The Waterboys, gig review

Hammersmith Apollo, London

Ben Walsh
Thursday 19 December 2013 10:28 GMT
Comments
Mike Scott, singer of British band 'The Waterboys' and violinist Steve Wickham (L) perform on stage
Mike Scott, singer of British band 'The Waterboys' and violinist Steve Wickham (L) perform on stage (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

If you judge a gig by the cover versions, then this one was more than decent. We're treated to Hank Williams's “I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry”, Bob Dylan's “Girl from the North Country” and, best of all, a giddy version of Van Morrison's “Sweet Thing”.

However, we're gathered here ostensibly to honour the Celtic folk outfit's crowning achievement, 1988's Fishermen's Blues, a romantic, wistful and vigorous record that blends folk, rock and country.

“The Eighties were so rubbish, a wasteland of synthesizers and stadium rock, so we had to invent our own music,” grumbles Mike Scott. So the 55-year-old frontman chose to channel traditional folk and his hero Hank Williams.

Tonight the svelte singer is helped hugely by Steve Wickham, who is the Waterboys' muscle with his sensational fiddle playing.

The experience sags a tad in the middle, particularly on the blues-infused “Tenderfootin'”, but it's reinvigorated by the foot-tapping “The Raggle Taggle Gypsy, which comes across as superior ceilidh music.

The Waterboys are really at their most compelling when they keep things uptempo and the crowd's raucousness increases in intensity as Scott's band build towards the sublime ”Fishermen's Blues“ and ”The Whole of the Moon“, their big hit which despite its ubiquity remains a rousing anthem.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in