The Waterboys, Grand Opera House, York, October 31

"We wanted to play traditional fully-seated venues on this tour, and though I don't know all the York venues, my management must have been recommended the Opera House," says Mike, who played the Barbican in October 2000 and November 2001.

Was the decision to concentrate on old-fashioned concert halls and theatres inspired by recording the eighth Waterboys studio album in the basement of Universal Hall, a theatre in Findhorn, Scotland? "There's nothing like Universal Hall," says Mike.

Findhorn, where the itinerant Scott has settled, is a fishing village in Morayshire, in the Scottish Highlands, and its five-sided theatre was built between 1974 and 1984 by the community and guests with a stained-glass facade by artist James Hubbell.

The album - and the closing track - take its name from Universal Hall and the theatre has so inspired Scott that his CD booklet invites further investigation via his website at www.mikescottwaterboys.com/universalhalltheatre.

Now 44, this ever wandering Scottish free spirit has truly found himself in Findhorn. "I wanted to make a record close to home - and the Universal Hall and theatre is about 200 yards from where I live. I wanted it to be a record with the charged atmosphere that there is here," says Mike.

"It's as if the community has a clearer consciousness here because of the gathering together of people who are all committed to working on their spiritual lives, and working on living authentically as they can.

"That creates a powerful atmosphere around them, and many of the songs were written in that atmosphere."

Universal Hall is a folk-gospel record driven by the spiritual and the elemental. Consider the song titles: This Light Is For The World; The Christ In You; Silent Fellowship; Peace Of Iona; Ain't No Words For The Way I'm Feeling; Seek The Light; and Eternal Being Of Love.

"Anyone can feel that atmosphere at Findhorn, and how it will affect them will depend on their personal history," says Mike, who brought Irish fiddler Steve Wickham and pianist and flute player Richard Naiff north for the recording sessions. "I don't think Steve and Richard will hurry to live there but they did enjoy being there, even if their principal role was to make the record."

Scott is not crusading for spirituality in the manner of a fire-and-brimstone Scottish preacher. Instead there is a peace to this largely acoustic album - only the distorted electronics of Seek The Light break the mood - and that peace is most enticing.

"Everybody is spiritual; it's a scientific part of us. We're spiritual beings and it is up to the individual whether they activate that.

"If I say something about my experiences, maybe it will inspire someone to follow a spiritual path, but what is important to me is to authenticate and record my own experiences and feelings," Mike says.

Distancing himself still further from preachers, he continues: "Preachers have a bad name as they preach only one religion, their religion. I have no wish to ram my spirituality down anyone's throat.

"I believe different religions all lead to one spirituality."

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Scott's formation of The Waterboys in London. The Whole Of The Moon and Fisherman's Blues are but part of his mystic path in music and his on-going spiritual quest.

"That spirituality has got more practical, less theatrical. In my 20s I was reading the laws of karma and getting into my Chakras; I was reading about them and only dealing with them in a small way. Now I work with my karma."

At the same time, Scott continues to experiment with his music, as he has done since becoming a professional musician in his home city of Edinburgh in 1979 and recording four singles under the name of Another Pretty Face.

"It's never mattered to me to have hits, and though I would love to have a hit with one of the new songs that has never been my number one aim," says Mike. "I'm always seeking on my albums to push the boundaries sonically. This one has very few lyrics and that's something new to me; as a musician, I'm getting to places I've never been before, like on The Christ In You, where I'm using repetition like a mantra, or maybe more as an affirmation."

That ever-expanding musical diversity will be reflected in tonight's show. The first set - 45 minutes - will feature an acoustic trio of Scott on guitars, Naiff on piano, and Wickham on fiddle, on his return to The Waterboys' ranks for the first time since 1990's Room To Roam album. After an intermission, they will be joined by drummer Carlos Hercules and bassist Steve Walters.

Wherever and whenever he plays, Scott's spiritual journey will go on.

Charles Hutchinson

The Waterboys, Grand Opera House, York, October 31 at 7.30pm. Tickets: £18.50 on 0870 606 3595 or on the door.

Updated: 09:26 Friday, October 31, 2003