The Waterboys

On 3 September, The Waterboys return to València’s Roig Arena for what promises to be one of the most significant live music events of the year — not only because it will be their only concert in Spain in 2026, but because the city has been chosen to host the extraordinary “The Fisherman’s Blues Revue”, a full-blooded celebration of one of the most beloved and influential albums in modern rock history.

This is no ordinary tour stop. This is a rare, carefully assembled event built around “Fisherman’s Blues” (1988) — the record that transformed The Waterboys, expanded their sound and left an indelible mark on generations of listeners. For one night only, Valencia becomes the centre of that mythology.

When Fisherman’s Blues first arrived, it felt like a door being kicked open. The grand, sweeping “big music” of earlier Waterboys releases gave way to something looser, warmer, more rooted in folk, soul, Celtic tradition, country spirit and timeless songwriting craft.

The result was a record full of songs that have only grown richer with age. The title track remains one of the great road-songs of longing and escape. “We Will Not Be Lovers” still carries emotional thunder. “Strange Boat” drifts with haunted beauty. Their take on Van Morrison’s “Sweet Thing” is pure moonlit grace. “When Ye Go Away” aches with tenderness. This is one of those rare albums that demands to be heard whole — no skips, no filler, no weak corners. A complete journey. And now, those songs return to the stage in full.

That this event lands in Valencia feels significant. In recent years, the city has become one of Spain’s strongest live music destinations, with the stunning Roig Arena quickly establishing itself as a venue capable of hosting major international names while keeping the atmosphere close and electric. To be chosen as the sole Spanish date for this tour is a statement. Fans from across the country — and likely beyond — are expected to travel to the capital of the Turia for what could become one of the most talked-about nights of the year.

Mike Scott is not arriving alone. For this revue, the mighty Steve Wickham returns — the violinist whose playing helped define the Fisherman’s Blues era and whose sound can lift songs into something close to the spiritual.

Then comes a name that changes everything: Steve Earle. The American songwriting giant joins the tour as a featured member of the revue, contributing his own songs plus vocals, guitar and mandolin to the Waterboys set. Earle has said: “I only ever wanted to be in three bands: The Rolling Stones, NRBQ and The Waterboys.”

Now he gets his chance. The expanded eight-piece line-up also includes Brother Paul on organ, Famous James on piano, Aongus Ralston on bass, Eamon Ferris on drums and Norwegian lap steel player Roar Øien — a cast built not just to recreate these songs, but to let them breathe, grow and roam wild again.

This is not a museum piece. The Waterboys continue to create at a ferocious pace. In recent months they have released “Atlantic Rain”, a triple album of previously unheard material from the original Fisherman’s Blues sessions, alongside alternate takes and buried treasures from that fertile era. Mike Scott himself has said the material is so strong it stands beside the original album. They also recently issued “The Waterboys Present: Rips From The Cutting Floor”, featuring sixteen songs from the sessions of their 2025 studio record Life, Death And Dennis Hopper, proving this band is still moving forward rather than living in the rear-view mirror. That means Valencia may witness not only the classic album in full, but unexpected detours, deep cuts, alternate gems and fresh moments born in the room.

Scott has described the original Fisherman’s Blues period as a “transcendental time” in the history of the band, adding that these shows could become some of the best concerts The Waterboys have ever played. That is not small talk. This is a frontman who has spent decades on stages around the world. If he says these nights matter, pay attention.

For tickets and more information: Roig Arena