Tom Waits raises hopes for live shows after signing to booking agent

The US singer-songwriter played his first gig in five years last October

Tom Waits has signed to a booking agent for the first time in 20 years, sparking speculation that he may be keen to hit the road (Getty Images)

Tom Waits has sparked excitement among music fans by signing to a booking agent for the first time in over 20 years.

The legendary US singer-songwriter, known for writing tracks such as "Jersey Girl" and "Downtown Train", rarely performs live shows. But with Billboard reporting that William Morris Endeavor is now representing him, this could be about to change.

Complete Music Update (CMU) revealed earlier today that Waits' spokesperson had confirmed the news to them.

Oscar-nominated Waits has been musically active since the early 1970s with 16 studio albums to his name. His last release was Bad as Me in 2011 and he played his first gig in five years last October as part of Neil Young's annual Bridge School Benefit concert in California.

The "Martha" singer also joined The Rolling Stones on-stage for a performance of Howlin' Wolf’s "Little Red Rooster" in May 2013.

Waits and his wife Kathleen Brennan have penned the music for Aaron Posner's new Las Vegas production of William Shakespeare's The Tempest, which opens this Saturday 5 April.

Whether or not Waits does intend to 'do a Kate Bush' and surprise everyone with a run of new tour dates remains to be seen, but we'll be watching in anticipation.