# List of Waterboys members

The Waterboys are a band formed in 1983 by Mike Scott. The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of Scottish, Irish, English, Welsh and American musicians, with Edinburgh, London, Dublin, Spiddal, New York and Findhorn serving as a base for the group. They have explored a number of different styles, dissolved in 1993 when Scott departed to pursue a solo career and then reformed in 2000. They continue to release albums and tour worldwide. World Party was made up of former Waterboys members.
Over 85 musicians have performed live as a Waterboy. Some have spent only a short time with the band, contributing to a single tour or album, while others have been long-term members with significant contributions. Scott has stated that "We’ve had more members I believe than any other band in rock history" and believes that the nearest challengers are Santana and The Fall.
The Waterboys have gone through different musical phases as well as line-ups. In 2019 Scott wrote "The Waterboys is a timeless, genre-confounding band. We belong in no box."

## History

The Waterboys were formed by Mike Scott in 1982, under the name The Red and The Black. Scott was soon joined by saxophonist Anthony Thistlethwaite. Under this name, the band played nine gigs before starting recording. Scott and Thistlethwaite were joined by drummer Kevin Wilkinson. In March 1983, the band released their first single "A Girl Called Johnny" under the name The Waterboys.
For the band's first performance under this name was in May 1983 on the Old Grey Whistle Test, they were joined by Norman Rodger on bass, Karl Wallinger on keyboards, and Preston Heyman covering for Wilkinson on drums. The band released their first, self titled album in July, it featured demos that Scott had recorded between 1981 and 1982, some featuring Thistlethwaite, Wilkinson and Rodger.
The band's first ever concert took place in February 1984, and included Scott, Thistlethwaite, Wallinger and Wilkinson, alongside trumpeter Roddy Lorimer, backing vocalist Eddi Reader, bassist Martin Swain and lead guitarist John Caldwell. The band returned to a five piece for touring (without Lorimer, Reader and Caldwell). Wilkinson was replaced by Chris Whitten in late 1984. In mid 1985, Steve Wickham joined on fiddle, influencing the band's style into folk music. After a north American tour in November 1985, Whitten and Wallinger both left. The two were replaced by Dave Ruffy and Guy Chambers respectively.
In January 1986, Scott and Thistlethwaite relocated to Dublin (where Wickham is from), creating a new line-up with bassist Trevor Hutchinson and drummer Peter McKinney. Fran Breen briefly replaced McKinney for a show in August. In December, Scott, Thistlethwaite and Wickham did some sessions in San Francisco with legendary drummer Jim Keltner.
The band returned to live performances in April 1987, again with Hutchinson and McKinney, although McKinney was replaced by Breen in May. The band was also joined by pipe and whistle player Vinnie Kilduff. Roddy Lorimer also briefly rejoined. In April 1988, the band returned to recording, with new drummer Jay Dee Daugherty, gaelic singer Tomas Mac Eoin and flautist/pianist Colin Blakey. Breen returned in December for touring, although he was again replaced by Daugherty in February 1989. Accordionist Sharon Shannon joined in May 1989, replacing Kilduff, alongside Noel Bridgeman, replacing Daugherty.
Despite the success of this line-up (which played profusely and popularly over the next year-and-a-half), Bridgeman was dismissed in July 1990 due to Scott and Thistlethwaite wanting a "tougher" sound, leading to the departure of a dissatisfied Wickham. Ken Blevins was hired as Bridgeman's replacement on drums but the band then moved away from Irish folk music, causing Shannon and Blakey to also depart. Scott, Thistlethwaite, Hutchinson and Blevins fulfilled outstanding tour dates, after which Blevin departed, with Hutchinson leaving in April 1991 to join Shannon's band. The band entered a hiatus after their contract with Ensign Records expired in May and Scott and Thistlethwaite split in December. In January 1992, Scott began recording Dream Harder in New York with many American musicians, most notably Chris Bruce (guitar), Scott Thunes (bass) and Carla Azar (drums), all of whom played with Scott on Top of the Pops. In August 1993, after failed attempts to put together a full-time Waterboys touring lineup, Scott ended the band altogether and spent seven years pursuing a solo career.
In Summer 2000, Scott reformed The Waterboys with a line-up including Richard Naiff on keyboards and flute, Livingston Brown on bass and Jeremy Stacey on drums. In October the band were joined by Tom Windriff (drums, backing vocals), John Baggott (keyboards, backing vocals) and Gordon Davis (bass, backing vocals). In January 2001, Jo Wadeson and Ian McNabb replaced Davis and Baggott respectively.
Wickham rejoined in March 2001, alongside Jay Dee Daugherty, although the latter was replaced by Ray Fean in July, who was then replaced by Geoff Dugmore in August. McNabb returned in May 2002, replacing Wadeson on bass. In June 2002, Brad Waissman and Paul Beavis joined on bass and drums respectively. Dugmore returned in January 2003.
Steve Walters and Carlos Hercules joined as new rhythm section in October 2003. In May 2005, Scott, Wickham and Naiff were briefly rejoined by Thistlethwaite (on bass) and Breen, as well as Sharron Shannon and Leo Moran for one show. The band were also briefly joined by Liam O'Maonlai on keyboards. Walters and Hercules returned in January 2006. By the time the band started recording in August 2006, they were joined by Leo Abrahams on lead guitar, Mark Smith on bass and Brady Blade on drums. Although when in came to touring in March 2007, Abrahams and Blade did not participate. Damon Wilson took up drums.
In February 2009, longtime keyboardist Richard Naiff departed the band. He was replaced by John McCullough, as well as Carlos Hercules returning on drums. In March 2010, the band expanded the line-up featuring Joe Chester on guitar, Simon Wallace on keyboards, Ash Soan on drums, Katie Kim on second vocals, Marc Arciero on bass, Blaise Margail on trombone, Ruby Ashley on oboe and Sarah Allen on flute. Paul "Binzer" Brennan replaced Soan in June 2010, and James Hallawell replaced Wallace that August.
In January 2011, the band were joined by Ralph Salmins on drums and Kate St John on oboe and sax. Melvin Duffy (pedal steel, guitar) joined the band for 2011 summer shows, alongside Scott, Hallawell, Wickham, Arciero and Brennan. Salmins returned in May 2011. The band played some Australian shows in early 2013, at which they were joined by Sarah Calderwood on vocals and flute. For North American dates in 2013, Scott and Wickham were joined by Elizabeth Ziman (vocals), Jay Barclay (guitar), Daniel Mintseris (keyboards), Malcolm Gold (bass), Ezra Oklan (drums) and Chris Layer (flute). Ziman and Layer departed and Chris Benelli replaced Oklan for Canadian dates.
When the band returned to Britain/Ireland, they were joined by the returning by Arciero, Duffy and Salmins and the new Brother Paul Brown on keyboards. Thistlethwaite and Hutchinson returned for a Fisherman's Blues revisited tour in December 2013, this tour also included Scott, Wickham and Salmins. In June 2014, the core trio and Brown were joined by Niall C. Lawlor (lap steel) and Shane Fitzsimmons (bass). Lawlor and Fitzsimmons were replaced by Zach Ernst (lead guitar) and David Hood by December 2014. This line-up continued until August 2016.
In 2017, the band consisted of Scott, Wickham and Brown, alongside Bart Walker (guitar), Aongus Ralston (bass), Jon Green (drums) and backing vocalists Jess Kavanagh and Zeenie Summers. Walker and Green departed in 2017, Salmins returned again. Gavin Ralston joined on guitar for a European tour in 2019. Aongus Ralston was briefly replaced by Jeff Adams for a North American tour in the same year, tech Neil Mahony also played bass as he had previously done in 2016. All subsequent touring was cancelled due to COVID-19.
When the band returned in late 2021, Hallawell rejoined as pianist, performing alongside Brown playing Hammond organ, and Eamon Ferris replaced Salmins on drums. Wickham retired from touring in February 2022.

## Members info

Anthony Thistlethwaite was an original member of the band, and remained a member until 1991 when the band broke up, although he also joined a few recording sessions for A Rock in the Weary Land. After Scott and Wickham, Thistlethwaite has more songwriting credits than any other Waterboy. His saxophone (regularly featured in solos) was one half of the early group's distinctive brass section, while his mandolin playing came to the forefront during the group's Irish folk phase; but he has also played bass, keyboards and a number of other instruments for the band. He pressed to return the Waterboys to a rock music sound after Room to Roam, but did not appear on Dream Harder, the result of that decision. He is now a member of The Saw Doctors, and has also released three solo albums.
Original member Kevin Wilkinson was the band's drummer from 1983 to 1984, and continued to play in some studio sessions afterwards. His later appeared on A Rock in the Weary Land. He led the rhythm section of the group during its "Big Music" phase, sometimes without the assistance of any bass guitar. Scott describes Wilkinson's drumming as "bright and angular, an unusual sound".
Karl Wallinger joined the group in 1983, shortly after its formation. He left the group two years later, but in that relatively short period made important contributions to both A Pagan Place and This Is the Sea. He co-wrote "Don't Bang the Drum", the environmentalism anthem on the latter album. His keyboards and synthesiser work expanded the group's sound, and he also did some studio work for demo sessions. Wallinger's World Party project was heavily influenced by his work with the Waterboys and also featured other former members.
Roddy Lorimer's participation began in 1983, contributing his trumpet playing "on and off" until 1990. He and Thistlethwaite took turns leading the brass section of the band, and Lorimer was also a featured soloist, most famously on "The Whole of the Moon" and "Don't Bang the Drum". He further contributed backing vocals to the song. His trumpet style is a combination of his classical training with an experimental approach encouraged by Scott. Lorimer returned for some studio work in 2006.
Steve Wickham transformed the group when he joined in 1985; his interest in folk music directly resulted in the band's change of direction. His initial involvement with the Waterboys ended in 1990 when Scott and Thistlethwaite wanted to return to rock and roll, but Wickham rejoined the group in 2000 and remained until 2022 (when he stepped down from regular involvement). Described by Scott as "the world's greatest rock fiddle player", he has written more songs for the band than anyone other than Scott, including the group's handful of instrumental recordings.
Richard Naiff first recorded with the band in 1999, and joined permanently in 2000. As of 2007, he was a core member, along with Scott and Wickham. He is a classically trained pianist and flautist, and plays keyboards for the Waterboys. Ian McNabb described him as Scott's "find of the century" and reviewers have described him as "phenomenally talented". Naiff officially left the Waterboys in February 2009 to spend more time with his family.
Other notable past members have included Ian McNabb, leader of Icicle Works; Sharon Shannon, who became Ireland's all-time best-selling traditional musician; experimental musician Thighpaulsandra, producer Guy Chambers, Patti Smith drummers Jay Dee Daugherty and Carlos Hercules, bassists Steve Walters and Mark Smith who was the band's bassist when he died on 3 November 2009.
The Waterboys line-up as of 2010 appeared at the world premiere of An Appointment With Mr Yeats at The Abbey Theatre, Dublin. They expanded into a 9-piece band in the autumn of 2017 for their tour of the UK, Ireland and Europe.

## Members
### Current members

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Mike Scott | 1981–19941998–present | vocalsguitarpianokeyboardsbassmandolindrums | all releases |
| James Hallawell | 2010–20132021–present | keyboardsbacking vocalsoccasional guitar | An Appointment with Mr Yeats (2011)All Souls Hill (2022) |
| Brother Paul Brown | 2013–present | keyboardsbacking vocalsoccasional guitar | all releases from Modern Blues (2015) to present |
| Aongus Ralston | 2016–present | bassbacking vocals | all releases from Out of All This Blue (2017) to present |
| Eamon Ferris | 2021–present | drums | none to date |

### Former members

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Anthony Thistlethwaite | 1982–199120052013 | saxophonemandolinbassharmonicabacking vocalsorganpianoguitar | all releases from The Waterboys (1983) to Room to Roam (1990) A Rock in the Weary Land (2000) |
| Kevin Wilkinson | 1982–1985 (died 1999) | drumsbacking vocalsbass | all releases from The Waterboys (1983) to Fisherman's Blues (1988) A Rock in the Weary Land (2000) |
| Norman Rodger | 1983 (temporary) | bassbacking vocals | The Waterboys (1983) |
| Preston Hayman | 1983 (temporary) | drums | "The Three Day Man" (1983) |
| Karl Wallinger | 1983–1985 (died 2024) | keyboardsbacking vocalsbass synth | A Pagan Place (1984) This Is the Sea (1985) |
| Roddy Lorimer | 1983–19841985198719882007 | trumpetbacking vocals | all releases from A Pagan Place (1984) to Room to Roam (1990) Book of Lightning (2007) |
| Martyn Swain | 1984–19851985 (one off) | bass | This Is the Sea (1985) |
| John Caldwell | 1984 | lead guitar | none |
| Eddi Reader | 1984 | backing vocals | A Pagan Place (1984) |
| Chris Whitten | 1984–1985 | drums | This Is the Sea (1985) |
| Frank Biddulph | 1985 | fiddle | none |
| Marco Sin | 1985 (guest 1989) | bassguitar (1989) | none |
| Max Edie | 1985 | vocals | This Is the Sea (1985) |
| Steve Wickham | 1985–19902001–2022 | fiddlemandolinvocalsorganbass (1985)acoustic guitar (1987) | This Is the Sea (1985)Fisherman's Blues (1988)The Live Adventures of (1998)all releases from Universal Hall (2003) to Good Luck, Seeker (2020) |
| Dave Ruffy | 19851986 | drumsbacking vocals | The Live Adventures of (1998)A Rock in the Weary Land (2000) |
| Guy Chambers | 19851986 | keyboardspiano | The Live Adventures of (1998) |
| Trevor Hutchinson | 1986–19912013 | bassbouzouki | Fisherman's Blues (1988)Room to Roam (1990)The Live Adventures of (1998) |
| Peter McKinney | 19861987 | drums | Fisherman's Blues (1988) |
| Fran Breen | 1986198719882005 | drums | Fisherman's Blues (1988) |
| Leo Moran | 19862005 (guest) | lead guitar | none |
| Vinnie Kilduff | 1987–1989 | uilleann pipestin whistleguitarmandolin | Fisherman's Blues (1988) |
| Colin Blakey | 1987–1990 | pianoorganflutewhistle | Fisherman's Blues (1988)Room to Roam (1990) |
| Tomas Mac Eoin | 19881989 | vocals | Fisherman's Blues (1988) |
| Jay Dee Daugherty | 198819892001 | drums | Fisherman's Blues (1988) |
| Sharon Shannon | 1989–19902005 | accordionfiddle | Room to Roam (1990)Karma to Burn (2005) |
| Noel Bridgeman | 1989–1990 (died 2021) | drumspercussionvocals | Fisherman's Blues (1988)Room to Roam (1990) |
| Ken Blevins | 1990–1991 | drums | none |
| Chris Bruce | 1992–1993 | lead guitar | Dream Harder (1993) |
| Scott Thunes | 1992–1993 | bass | Dream Harder (1993) |
| Carla Azar | 1992–1993 | drums | Dream Harder (1993) |
| Richard Naiff | 1999–20082014 | keyboardspianoorganthereminflute | A Rock in the Weary Land (2000)Universal Hall (2003)Karma to Burn (2005)Book of Lightning (2007) |
| Jeremy Stacey | 1999–200020062008 | drumsbacking vocals | A Rock in the Weary Land (2000)Book of Lightning (2007)Good Luck, Seeker (2020) |
| Livingstone Brown | 1999–2000 | bassbacking vocals | A Rock in the Weary Land (2000) |
| Gordon Davis | 2000 | bassbacking vocals | none |
| Adam Snyder | 2000 | keyboards | none |
| John Baggot | 2000 | keyboards | none |
| Jo Wadeson | 2000–2001 | bassbacking vocals | none |
| Tom Windriff | 2000–2001 | drumsbacking vocals | none |
| Ray Fean | 2001 | drums | none |
| Ian McNabb | 20012002 | keyboards (2001)bass (2002)backing vocals | All Souls Hill (2022) |
| Geoff Dugmore | 200120022003 | drumsbacking vocals | none |
| Brad Waissman | 2002–2003 | bass | none |
| Paul Beavis | 2002 | drums | A Rock in the Weary Land (2000) |
| Carlos Hercules | 2003–20062009 | drums | Karma to Burn (2005) |
| Steve Walters | 2003–2006 | bass | none |
| Liam Ó Maonlaí | 2005 | keyboards | none |
| Mark Smith | 2006–2009 (until his death) | bass | A Rock in the Weary Land (2000)Good Luck, Seeker (2020) |
| Leo Abrahams | 2006–2007 (session only) | lead guitar | Book of Lightning (2007) |
| Brady Blade | 2006–2007 (session only) | drums | Book of Lightning (2007) |
| Damon Wilson | 2007–2008 | drums | none |
| John McCullough | 2009 | keyboards | none |
| Katie Kim | 2009–20102011 | vocals | An Appointment with Mr Yeats (2011) |
| Ash Soan | 2009–2010 | drums | none |
| Joe Chester | 2009–20122014 | lead guitarbacking vocals | An Appointment with Mr Yeats (2011) |
| Marc Arciero | 2009–20132013 | bass | An Appointment with Mr Yeats (2011) |
| Blaise Margail | 2009–2011 | trombone | An Appointment with Mr Yeats (2011) |
| Sarah Allen | 2009–20102011 | flute | An Appointment with Mr Yeats (2011) |
| Simon Wallace | 2009–2010 | keyboards | none |
| Ruby Ashley | 2009–2010 | oboecor anglais | none |
| Paul "Binzer" Brennan | 20102011 | drums | none |
| Ralph Salmins | 20112011–20132013–20162017–2021 | drums | An Appointment with Mr Yeats (2011)Modern Blues (2015)Where the Action Is (2019)Good Luck, Seeker (2020)All Souls Hill (2022) |
| Kate St John | 2011 | oboecor anglaissaxophone | An Appointment with Mr Yeats (2011) |
| Melvin Duffy | 2011–20122013 | pedal steelguitar | All Souls Hill (2022) |
| Sarah Calderwood | 2013 | flutevocals | none |
| Jay Barclay | 2013–2014 | guitar | none |
| Malcolm Gold | 2013 | bass | none |
| Daniel Mintseris | 2013 | keyboards | none |
| Elizabeth Ziman | 2013 | vocals | none |
| Chris Layer | 2013 | flute | none |
| Ezra Oklan | 2013 | drums | none |
| Chris Benelli | 2013 | drums | none |
| Shane Fitzsimons [sic] | 2014 | bass | none |
| Niall C. Lawlor | 2014 | lap steel | none |
| Zach Ernst | 2014–2016 | guitar | none |
| David Hood | 2014–2016 | bass | Modern Blues (2015)Good Luck, Seeker (2020) |
| Neil Mahony | 20162019 (substitute) | bass | Out of All This Blue (2017) |
| Zeenie Summers | 2017–20192019–2020 | vocals | Out of All This Blue (2017)Good Luck, Seeker (2020) |
| Jess Kavanagh | 2017–20192019–2020 | vocals | Out of All This Blue (2017)Good Luck, Seeker (2020) |
| Jon Green | 2017 | drums | none |
| Bart Walker | 2017 | guitar | none |
| Gavin Ralston | 2019 (died 2019) | guitar | Good Luck, Seeker (2020) |
| Jeff Adams | 2019 | bassbacking vocals | Modern Blues (2015) |

## Line-ups

| Period | Members | Releases |
| April – August 1982 (as The Red and The Black) | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone | none – early demos |
| November 1982 – March 1983 (Unnamed and then as The Waterboys) | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano, bass, mandolin Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, bass, percussion, backing vocals Kevin Wilkinson – drums, backing vocals with many session musicians | The Waterboys (1983) A Pagan Place (1984) unspecified tracks |
| May 1983 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, backing vocals Norman Rodger – bass, backing vocals Karl Wallinger – keyboards, backing vocals Preston Heyman – drums | none – Old Grey Whistle Test performance |
| September – December 1983 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano, bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, bass, mandolin Karl Wallinger – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals Kevin Wilkinson – drums Roddy Lorimer – trumpet Eddi Reader – backing vocals | A Pagan Place (1984) unspecified tracks |
| February 1984 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, backing vocals Karl Wallinger – keyboards, backing vocals Kevin Wilkinson – drums Roddy Lorimer – trumpet Eddi Reader – vocals John Caldwell – lead guitar Martyn Swain – bass | none – one live performance |
| April – July 1984 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, bass, backing vocals Karl Wallinger – keyboards, synth bass, backing vocals Kevin Wilkinson – drums, bass (session) Martyn Swain – bass | This Is the Sea (1985) unspecified tracks |
| October – December 1984 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, bass, backing vocals Karl Wallinger – keyboards, synth bass, backing vocals Martyn Swain – bass Chris Whitten – drums | This Is the Sea (1985) unspecified tracks |
| February 1985 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals Karl Wallinger – keyboards Martyn Swain – bass Chris Whitten – drums Frank Biddulph – electric violin | none – one live performance |
| February 1985 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals Karl Wallinger – keyboards Martyn Swain – bass Chris Whitten – drums Roddy Lorimer – trumpet | This Is the Sea (1985) unspecified tracks |
| June – July 1985 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, bass, backing vocals Karl Wallinger – keyboards Martyn Swain – bass Chris Whitten – drums Steve Wickham – fiddle | This Is the Sea (1985) unspecified tracks |
| October – 3 November 1985 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals Karl Wallinger – keyboards Chris Whitten – drums Steve Wickham – fiddle Marco Sin – bass | none – UK tour and Two US dates |
| November 1985 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals Karl Wallinger – keyboards Chris Whitten – drums Marco Sin – bass Steve Wickham – fiddle Roddy Lorimer – trumpet | none – Remaining North American tour |
| December 1985 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals Steve Wickham – fiddle Guy Chambers – keyboards Marco Sin – bass Dave Ruffy – drums | none – European tour |
| 18 December 1985 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Anthony Thistlethwaite – bass, saxophone, backing vocals Steve Wickham – fiddle, bass Guy Chambers – keyboards Dave Ruffy – drums | none – European tour |
| 19 December 1985 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, harmonica, backing vocals Steve Wickham – fiddle Guy Chambers – keyboards Dave Ruffy – drums Roddy Lorimer – trumpet Martyn Swain – bass | none – European tour |
| Early January 1986 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals Steve Wickham – fiddle | none – Informal performances in Dublin |
| Late January – March 1986 (only one show) | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano, Hammond organ, drums Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, harmonica, backing vocals, Hammond organ Steve Wickham – fiddle Trevor Hutchinson – bass Peter McKinney – drums | Fisherman's Blues (1988) |
| April – July 1986 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano, Hammond organ, drums Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, harmonica, backing vocals, Hammond organ, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, backing vocals Trevor Hutchinson – bass Dave Ruffy – drums, backing vocals | Fisherman's Blues (1988) The Live Adventures of the Waterboys (1998) |
| August 1986 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Trevor Hutchinson – bass Leo Moran – guitar Fran Breen – drums | none – one live performance |
| September – November 1986 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Trevor Hutchinson – bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals | Fisherman's Blues (1988) |
| December 1986 (sessions only) | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, bass Jim Keltner – drums (session) | none – demos only |
| January – August 1987 (sessions only) | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano, Hammond organ, drums Steve Wickham – fiddle Trevor Hutchinson – bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, harmonica, Hammond organ with many guest musicians | Fisherman's Blues (1988) |
| April 1987 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Trevor Hutchinson – bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals Peter McKinney – drums | none – two shows in Edinburgh |
| 22 May 1987 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Trevor Hutchinson – bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals Fran Breen – drums Vinnie Kilduff – pipes, whistles, mandolin | none – two shows in Ireland |
| 24 May 1987 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Trevor Hutchinson – bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals Fran Breen – drums Vinnie Kilduff – pipes, whistles Roddy Lorimer – trumpet | none – two shows in Ireland |
| September 1987 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Trevor Hutchinson – bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals Fran Breen – drums Vinnie Kilduff – pipes, whistles | none – a few live performances |
| October 1987 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Trevor Hutchinson – bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals Fran Breen – drums Vinnie Kilduff – pipes, whistles Roddy Lorimer – trumpet | none – a few live performances |
| April – October 1988 (sessions only) | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano, Hammond organ, drums Steve Wickham – fiddle Trevor Hutchinson – bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals, harmonica, Hammond organ Vinnie Kilduff – pipes, whistles, guitar Colin Blakey – piano, flute, horns Jay Dee Daugherty – drums Tomas Mac Eoin – vocals | Fisherman's Blues (1988) |
| December 1988 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Trevor Hutchinson – bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, backing vocals Vinnie Kilduff – pipes, whistles, guitar Colin Blakey – piano, flute, whistle Tomas Mac Eoin – vocals Roddy Lorimer – trumpet Fran Breen – drums | none – Ireland tours |
| Late January – March 1989 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Trevor Hutchinson – bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, organ, harmonica, backing vocals Colin Blakey – piano, organ, flute, whistle Jay Dee Daugherty – drums | none – Ireland tours |
| June 1989 – May 1990 (sessions only in 1990) | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano, mandolin Steve Wickham – fiddle, Hammond organ, vocals Trevor Hutchinson – bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, organ, harmonica, backing vocals Colin Blakey – flute, whistle, piano, organ Noel Bridgeman – drums, percussion, vocals Sharon Shannon – accordion, fiddle | Room to Roam (1990) |
| July – December 1990 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Trevor Hutchinson – bass Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, organ, guitar, piano, backing vocals Ken Blevins – drums | none – European and North American tours |
| 1992 – 1993 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar (studio only), keyboards Chris Bruce – guitar Scott Thunes – bass Carla Azar – drums With many other session musicians | Dream Harder (1993) Also Top of the Pops performance |
| On Hiatus 1994 – 1999 |||
| January 1999 – 2000 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano, organ, synthesizer with Gilad Atzmon – saxophone Paul Beavis – drums Livingston Brown - bass guitar Jody Linscott – drums The London Community Gospel Choir Cameron Miller – bass guitar Richard Naiff – piano Claire Nicholson - background vocals Dave Ruffy – tambourine, drum programming Robin Scott – background vocals Mark Smith – bass guitar Jeremy Stacey – drums Rowan Stigner – drum programming Chris Taggart - drums Thighpaulsandra – synthesizer, trumpet, keyboards, mellotron Anthony Thistlethwaite – mandolin, slide mandolin Kevin Wilkinson – drums | A Rock in the Weary Land (2000) |
| June 2000 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano, organ Richard Naiff – piano, keyboards, organ, flute Livingston Brown – bass, backing vocals Jeremy Stacey – drums, backing vocals | none – Norwegian shows and UK show |
| October 2000 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Richard Naiff – keyboards, piano, theremin, flute Tom Windriff – drums, backing vocals John Baggott – keyboards, moog synthesiser Gordon Davis – bass, backing vocals | none – UK tours |
| October – December 2000 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle (occasional guest) Richard Naiff – keyboards, piano, theremin, flute Tom Windriff – drums, backing vocals John Baggott – keyboards, moog synthesiser Jo Wadeson – bass, backing vocals | none – UK tours |
| January – February 2001 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Richard Naiff – keyboards, piano, theremin, flute Tom Windriff – drums, backing vocals Jo Wadeson – bass, backing vocals Ian McNabb – piano, keyboards, backing vocals | none – UK tours |
| March – April 2001 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin, piano Richard Naiff – keyboards, piano, theremin, flute Jo Wadeson – bass, backing vocals Jay Dee Daugherty – drums | none – North American tour |
| April 2001 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin Richard Naiff – piano, organ, flute | none – UK shows |
| June 2001 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin, piano Richard Naiff – keyboards, piano, theremin, flute Jo Wadeson – bass, backing vocals Jay Dee Daugherty – drums | none – European tours |
| July – August 2001 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin, piano Richard Naiff – keyboards, piano, theremin, flute Jo Wadeson – bass, backing vocals Ray Fean – drums | none – European tours |
| August – December 2001 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin, piano Richard Naiff – keyboards, piano, theremin, flute Jo Wadeson – bass, backing vocals Geoff Dugmore – drums, backing vocals | none – European shows and North American tour |
| January – March 2002 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin, banjo Richard Naiff – piano | none – European shows |
| May 2002 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin Richard Naiff – keyboards, piano, theremin, flute Geoff Dugmore – drums, backing vocals Ian MacNabb – bass, backing vocals | none – Spanish and Portuguese tour |
| June 2002 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin, banjo Richard Naiff – piano | none – Dutch and English shows |
| June – October 2002 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin, banjo Richard Naiff – piano, keyboards, flute Brad Waissman – bass Paul Beavis – drums | none – European tour |
| January 2003 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin, banjo Richard Naiff – piano, keyboards, flute Brad Waissman – bass Geoff Dugmore – drums, backing vocals | none – UK shows |
| May 2003 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, keyboards Steve Wickham – fiddle Richard Naiff – piano, flute | Universal Hall (2003) |
| June – July 2003 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin, banjo Richard Naiff – keyboards, flute Brad Waissman – bass Geoff Dugmore – drums, backing vocals, occasional keyboards | none – UK shows |
| July 2003 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, keyboards Steve Wickham – fiddle Richard Naiff – piano, flute | none – Scottish and Irish shows |
| July – September 2003 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin, banjo Richard Naiff – keyboards, flute Brad Waissman – bass Geoff Dugmore – drums, backing vocals | none – European shows |
| October – November 2003 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin Richard Naiff – piano, organ Steve Walters – bass Carlos Hercules – drums | Karma to Burn (2005) |
| December 2003 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar Richard Naiff – piano | none – North American shows |
| January – November 2004 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Richard Naiff – piano, organ, keyboards, flute Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin | none – European tour |
| 26 – 28 November 2004 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin Sharon Shannon – accordion | none – three Irish shows |
| April – May 2005 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Richard Naiff – piano, organ, keyboards, flute Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin | none – one English and one Belgium shows |
| May 2005 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Richard Naiff – piano, organ, keyboards, flute Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin Anthony Thistlewaite – bass Fran Breen – drums with Leo Moran – guitar, vocals John "Turps" Burke – guitar, vocals Sharon Shannon – accordion Padraig Stevens – percussion, vocals | none – one Irish show each |
| July 2005 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Richard Naiff – piano, organ, keyboards, flute Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin | none – one Irish show each |
| December 2005 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle, mandolin Liam O'Maonlai – keyboards | |
| January – August 2006 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Richard Naiff – piano, organ, keyboards, flute Steve Walters – bass Carlos Hercules – drums | none – European tours |
| August 2006 – March 2007 (sessions only) | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Richard Naiff – piano, organ Mark Smith – bass Leo Abrahams – lead guitar Brady Blade – drums Jeremy Stacey – drums | Book of Lightning (2007) |
| February 2007 – February 2009 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Richard Naiff – piano, organ, keyboards, flute Mark Smith – bass Damon Wilson – drums | none – European tours |
| February – May 2009 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle John McCullough – keyboards | none – UK shows |
| May – June 2009 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle John McCullough – keyboards Mark Smith – bass Carlos Hercules – drums | none – Some festival shows |
| July – November 2009 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle John McCullough – keyboards Mark Smith – bass Carlos Hercules – drums Michael McGoldrick – flute Blaise Margall – trombone Katie Kim – vocals | none – rehearsals only |
| December 2009 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Blaise Margall – trombone Katie Kim – vocals Sarah Allen – flute Simon Wallace – keyboards Joe Chester – guitar, vocals Ash Soan – drums | none – rehearsals only |
| January – April 2010 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Blaise Margall – trombone Katie Kim – vocals Sarah Allen – flute Simon Wallace – keyboards Joe Chester – guitar, vocals Ash Soan – drums Marc Arciero – bass Ruby Ashley – oboe, cor anglais | none – UK shows |
| June – July 2010 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Simon Wallace – keyboards Marc Arciero – bass Paul "Binzer" Brennan – drums | none – European shows |
| August 2010 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Simon Wallace – keyboards Marc Arciero – bass Jeremy Stacey – drums | none – Portuguese show |
| August – December 2010 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Marc Arciero – bass Paul "Binzer" Brennan – drums James Hallawell – keyboards, backing vocals | none – European shows |
| January – June 2011 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion Steve Wickham – fiddle Joe Chester – lead guitar Katie Kim – vocals James Hallawell – keyboards, backing vocals Marc Arciero – bass Blaise Margail – trombone Sarah Allen – flute Ralph Salmins – drums Kate St John – oboe, cor anglais, saxophone | An Appointment with Mr Yeats (2011) |
| May – August 2011 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle James Hallawell – keyboards, backing vocals Marc Arciero – bass Paul "Binzer" Brennan – drums Melvin Duffy – pedal steel, guitar | none – European tours |
| September 2011 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle James Hallawell – keyboards, backing vocals Marc Arciero – bass Paul "Binzer" Brennan or Ralph Salmins – drums Katie Kim – vocals | none – European tours |
| November 2011 – March 2012 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle James Hallawell – keyboards, backing vocals Marc Arciero – bass Melvin Duffy – pedal steel, guitar Ralph Salmins – drums | none – European tours |
| April 2012 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle James Hallawell – keyboards, backing vocals Marc Arciero – bass Ralph Salmins – drums | none – European tours |
| January – early February 2013 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle James Hallawell – keyboards, backing vocals Marc Arciero – bass Ralph Salmins – drums Sarah Calderwood – vocals, flute | none – Australian shows |
| March 2013 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Jay Barclay – guitar Daniel Mintseris – keyboards, backing vocals Malcolm Gold – bass Ezra Oklan – drums Elizabeth Ziman – vocals Chris Layer – flute | none – New York shows |
| June 2013 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle James Hallawell – keyboards, backing vocals Marc Arciero – bass Ralph Salmins – drums | none – Ireland show |
| June – July 2013 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Jay Barclay – guitar Daniel Mintseris – keyboards Malcolm Gold – bass Chris Benelli – drums | none – Canadian and New York shows |
| July – September 2013 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle James Hallawell – keyboards, backing vocals Marc Arciero – bass Ralph Salmins – drums | none – European shows |
| September – October 2013 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Jay Barclay – guitar Malcolm Gold – bass Chris Benelli – drums Brother Paul Brown – keyboards, backing vocals | none – US shows |
| November 2013 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Brother Paul Brown – keyboards, backing vocals Marc Arciero – bass Melvin Duffy – pedal steel, guitar Ralph Salmins – drums | none – UK shows |
| December 2013 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Anthony Thistlethwaite – saxophone, mandolin, harmonica Trevor Hutchinson – bass Ralph Salmins – drums | none – UK shows |
| June – August 2014 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Ralph Salmins – drums Niall C. Lawlor – lap steel guitar Brother Paul Brown – keyboards, backing vocals Shane Fitzsimmons – bass | none – UK and Japanese shows |
| December 2014 – late July 2016 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Brother Paul Brown – keyboards, organ, piano, backing vocals Ralph Salmins – drums Zach Ernst – lead guitar David Hood – bass | Modern Blues (2015) |
| July – August 2016 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Brother Paul Brown – keyboards, organ, piano, backing vocals Ralph Salmins – drums Zach Ernst – lead guitar Neil Mahony – bass | none – final four dates of European tour |
| June – August 2017 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Brother Paul Brown – keyboards, backing vocals Bart Walker – guitar Aongus Ralston – bass, backing vocals Jon Green – drums Jess Kavanagh – vocals Zeenie Summers – vocals | none – European tours |
| September 2017 – December 2018 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Brother Paul Brown – keyboards, backing vocals Aongus Ralston – bass, backing vocals Jess Kavanagh – vocals Zeenie Summers – vocals Ralph Salmins – drums | Out of All This Blue (2017) |
| May – September 2019 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar Steve Wickham – fiddle Brother Paul Brown – keyboards, backing vocals Aongus Ralston – bass, backing vocals Jess Kavanagh – vocals Zeenie Summers – vocals Ralph Salmins – drums Gavin Ralston – lead guitar | Where the Action Is (2019) |
| September – October 2019 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar Steve Wickham – fiddle Brother Paul Brown – keyboards, backing vocals Jeff Adams – bass, backing vocals Ralph Salmins – drums | none – European tours |
| November 2019 – January 2020 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar Steve Wickham – fiddle Brother Paul Brown – keyboards, backing vocals Aongus Ralston – bass, backing vocals Jess Kavanagh – vocals Zeenie Summers – vocals Ralph Salmins – drums | none – European tours |
| August 2020 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Brother Paul Brown – keyboards, backing vocals Aongus Ralston – bass, backing vocals Ralph Salmins – drums | Good Luck, Seeker (2020) |
| September 2021 – February 2022 | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Steve Wickham – fiddle Brother Paul Brown – organ, keyboards. backing vocals Aongus Ralston – bass, backing vocals James Hallawell – piano, keyboards, backing vocals Eamon Ferris – drums | none – European tours |
| February 2022 – present | Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano Brother Paul Brown – organ, keyboards, backing vocals Aongus Ralston – bass, backing vocals James Hallawell – piano, keyboards, backing vocals Eamon Ferris – drums | All Souls Hill (2022) |