Steve Wickham is recognised as Ireland’s premier rock fiddler since the mid-1980s. His distinctive playing has been a major contribution to the Waterboys groundbreaking records over the years.
Born in 1960, and studied violin at the Royal College of Music in Chatham Row Dublin
The Waterboys
Steve Wickham became a member of The Waterboys in 1985 shortly after playing on their seminal album “This is The Sea”.
(Image: Steve on stage with The Waterboys)
Writing songs and music has always been part of his musical life. He continues to explore new musical territory composing for Film and Theatre and other eclectic projects, such as a crossover suite of music with Sligo Baroque Orchestra and Congolese soukous band ‘Tropicana Musica’.
Steve Wickham has recorded and performed with U2, Elvis Costello, Sinead O’Connor, Bob Dylan, Sharon Shannon and many other artists in the worlds of rock and traditional folk music.
He made his recording debut with U2 in 1982 on their break through album, War, playing on “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “Drowning Man”.
(Image: Steve with Bob Dylan, Bono and Leslie Dowdall, Greg Sutton and Colin Allen, Slane 1984 )
NoCrows
Steve also writes and records with world music group NoCrows. The ‘Crows’ have released six albums to date and continue to tour extensively.
Steve Wickham has composed scores for both film and theatre.
Steve composed the score for Tom Mc Intyre’s plays ‘The Midnight Court’ and ‘Caoineadh Airt O’ Laoghaire’, both performed at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin. He also collaborated with Michael Harding on his plays ‘Bog Dances’ and ‘Sleeping a Lovesong’.
Steve scored the film ‘Witness to the Future’ (2016), and the documentary ‘Prisoners of the Moon’ (2019) and more recently ‘Groundswell’ (2022) directed by Johnny Grogan for Bandit Films.
A regular contributor to Carpet Theatre’s productions, Steve has been nominated for an IFTA for best score for “Breath’ . He has worked with award winning Irish playwrite Deirdre Kinhan on several of her plays for Irish Theatre and the German State Theatre. He has also acted and scored for Clare Monnelly and Bob Kelly’s play ‘ The Hare’.
Steve is a talented visual artist who holds a degree in Fine Art from ATU Sligo. He regularly participates in exhibitions and occasionally has solo exhibitions, showcasing his unique artistic vision. Notably, Steve has had his print work exhibited at the prestigious Royal Ulster Academy and has also organized a touring exhibition titled “Geronimo,” which features his thought-provoking work and sculpture in response to the ruination of his beloved French violin crafted in the renowned workshop in Mirecourt of Geronimo Grandini. Additionally, he consistently exhibits work which is available for viewing and purchase at two notable galleries in Ireland: Ardmore Pottery and Gallery, located in County Waterford, as well as The Kilbaha Gallery in County Clare.
If you enjoyed looking at the old photos then be sure to check out the Photography Archive page for a blast from the past.