The Waterboys headlined the second night of Salt and Tar Music Weekender 2026 in Bootle on Friday, August 14, delivering a set that reaffirmed their strong connection with Merseyside.
Merseyside Affinity
Formed in London and led by Scottish singer-songwriter Mike Scott, the band includes members from Cornwall, Dublin, Belfast, and Memphis. Despite this, their biggest hit, The Whole of the Moon, holds a special place in many Scousers' hearts, often soundtracking social club functions and closing dancefloors.
The song has a deeper connection with Merseyside, as it was partly recorded at Liverpool's Amazon Studios.
Memorable Performance
As the sun set over Bootle, the band took the stage to rapturous applause, opening with Don't Bang The Drum. They followed with Where the Action Is and Glastonbury Song before Mike Scott jokingly introduced "an old Ellie Goulding number," their 1990 song How Long Will I Love You, famously covered by the pop star.
Scott, the only founding member still on stage, showed no signs of slowing down, joking about having a "Mick Jagger moment" as he adjusted his gold trousers.
Crowd Favorites
Fisherman's Blues drew a big reaction, with groups linking arms and couples embracing. The crowd included many families, a mix of young and old.
The Whole of the Moon was a highlight, with the band joined by Liverpool-born singer Luvcat, who had opened for them earlier. Luvcat was spotted by the late Glen Hansard performing on a Chester street as a teenager, leading to her joining the band on a 16-date tour. She described the night as a "full circle night."
The Waterboys closed the evening with a rendition of Prince's Purple Rain, a fitting end to an incredible performance.
