The Waterboys live in concert.
ON TOUR

The Waterboys

83
critic concert reviews
rock

How good are they LIVE?

Live Rating  

78
%
Based on 
83
critic concert
reviews
Last 12 Months Rating  
79
%
Based on 
11
critic concert
reviews

Real Live Certified  

Real Live Certified badge for artists with consistent, high quality live performances and broad critical acclaim.

Critics Consensus

Based on 83 concert reviews, the critics consensus is that The Waterboys is rated as an impressive live performer, with many notable strengths. The Waterboys concert reviews describe live shows and performances as energetic, powerful, polished, grandiose, anthemic, electrifying, and exhilarating.

How long are their concerts?

How long are The Waterboys concerts? The Waterboys concerts usually last from 45 minutes to up to an hour and a half.

How much to book?

How much does it cost to book The Waterboys? To hire for a live performance or concert, the booking fees for The Waterboys range from $35,000 - $50,000, with The Waterboys's current estimated booking fee to be around $35,000.

On tour

Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, Belgium (September 1); 3 Arena, Dublin, Ireland (September 5); AFAS Live, Amsterdam, Netherlands (September 10); Openluchttheater Rivierenhof, Antwerpen-Deurne, Belgium (September 11); The O2: Millenium Dome, London, United Kingdom (September 12)

Artist Info

Genre
rock
Origin
Edinburgh, United Kingdom (1982 - present)
Bio
The Waterboys is a British celtic band formed in 1983 by Scottish musician Mike Scott. Their songs, largely written by Scott, often contain literary references and are frequently concerned with spirituality.
Has Performed With
Artist Website

Critic Concert Reviews

The 13th Floor (New Zealand)

May 25, 2026
%
The Waterboys are known as a Celtic folk act, but these days, they are a rock & roll band.

Rolling Stone (Australia)

May 17, 2026
90
%
Led by sole constant member Mike Scott, The Waterboys have morphed into a US-inspired bar band with a heavy dose of soul

Backseat Mafia

May 15, 2026
%
The Waterboys return to Australia with a sprawling, transcendent Sydney show 15.05.2026

Mercury News (USA)

September 26, 2025
%
The Waterboys wowed fans at The Fillmore

Spectrum Culture (USA)

September 25, 2025
%
Writing a setlist must be difficult for members of bands whose imperial eras have passed. In the case of the Waterboys, that heyday encompassed a series of releases in the ‘80s, culminating in

Chicago Tribune (USA)

September 17, 2025
%
The Waterboys want to tell you about, uh, Dennis Hopper, and it’s wonderful

Music-News.com (UK)

June 1, 2025
80
%
The Waterboys are back on the road, and this time they're bringing with them a bold new album, Life, Death and Dennis Hopper. With over four decades of music behind them, Mike Scott and his ever-evolving lineup continue to deliver performances that blend nostalgia with fearless reinvention.

Past critic reviews published in

Leftlion (UK), The Telegraph (UK), The Scotsman (Scotland), Hot Press Magazine (Ireland), The Scotsman (Scotland) and more

Image Credit

The Super Mat [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Latest Release

Atlantic Rain: The Lost Fisherman's Blues Recordings (17 July 2026)