LIVE: THE WATERBOYS – Perth | Boorloo, 11 May 2026

LIVE: THE WATERBOYS – Perth | Boorloo, 11 May 2026
The Astor Theatre, Perth | Boorloo, Western Australia
Reviewed by Tia Pinnegar
Photography by Pete Gardner

The Waterboys began their Australian and New Zealand tour in Perth last night, gracing the stage of The Astor Theatre in Mount Lawley and sounding spectacular even after nearly 45 years of the band. This show marked the start of their first Aus/New Zealand tour in over a decade.

Ex-Killing Heidi lead singer, Ella Hooper, opened with a 30 minute set performing several of her upcoming releases. Having rebranded her imagine, Hooper showcased an impressive voice and great energy.

Formed in 1983 by Mike Scott, The Waterboys has seen dozens of members come and go. This tour’s impressive iteration of the band was comprised of lead vocalist and guitarist Mike Scott (entering the stage wearing his iconic cowboy hat, of course), keyboardists Paul Brown and James Hallawell, Aongus Ralston on Bass and Eamon Ferris on drums. Scott remains the only original member from the 1983 lineup, although all other current members who have joined in the last decade proved to meld and perform perfectly capturing the original Waterboys essence.

They opened with their recently released song about the current state of America, titled “Don’t Even Have To Say His Name”, starting their tour with a much applauded and powerful statement. This was followed by fan favourites “Where the Action Is” and “Glastonbury Song,” also performing a surprise cover of Bob Dylan’s “Knocking On Heaven’s Door” somewhere down the line. Keyboardist Brown had the cheekiest grin throughout the whole show, only emphasised when he brought out a keytar – not once, but twice and had an incredible solo moment. Brown and Hallawell had too many keyboard battles across the stage to count – only to finally end up playing from the same keyboard during the last song, which was very sweet.

Early on in their set – by “Fisherman Blues” and “This Is The Sea”, to be exact – every person within sight in the venue was up and dancing. Scott exuded a beautiful McCartney-style magic in his performance – only with a little more pizazz and ‘oomf.’ The whole band created such soul touching music that’s felt constantly through these chords and lyrics – even when they’re portraying a gloomy message or story.

The mid-section of the show focused heavily on their album “Life, Death, And Dennis Hopper.” They created a perfect story, bringing us along for the rise and fall of Dennis Hopper in Hollywood, introducing and singing each song in their set list from this album in chronological story order, starting with “Live in the Moment Baby” leading into several others such as “Blues For Terry Southern” and “Hopper on Top” and finally into “Golf, They Say” to end this part of their show. The storytelling aspect was unique and very well executed.

Their opening night of this tour only proved that they haven’t lost an ounce of their magic or stage presence after all these years and tours. Their songs are just as beautiful, outfits and quirks just as fantastic, and the instruments are played so well they bleed perfectly into each-other. The Waterboys are a Must See!!

Set List:

Don’t Even Have To Say His Name
Where The Action Is
Glastonbury Song
How Long Will I Love You?
Medicine Bow
Knocking on Heaven’s Door
Fisherman’s Blues
This Is The Sea

Live In The Moment, Baby
The Tourist
Blues For Terry Southern
Hopper’s On Top (Genius)
Transcendental Peruvian Blues
10 Years Gone
I Don’t Know How I Made It
Golf, They Say

Don’t Bang The Drum
A Girl Called Johnny
Spirit
The Pan Within

The Whole Of The Moon

 

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries