Live Target - Geldof Live

Geldof will be releasing a live CD on Monday 14th May 2012 exclusively available on www.bobgeldof.com for £15 plus postage.  It will also be on sale on all of his tour dates excluding the festivals. The CD will not be available in any shops nor available to download. Only 1000 copies will be available. Full track listing to follow.

2012 Dates

Boomtown Rats

Saturday 28th January 2012 Mecca Venue, Swindon (supporting T-Rex)  And a really good review can be found here http://gigbook.blogspot.com/2012/01/839-boomtown-rats-swindon-musical.html
Saturday 28th April 2012 The Factory, Porth.
Sunday 29th April 2012 Great British Alternative Festival
Friday 4th August 2012 The Big Stoochie Scotland
Saturday 11th August 2012 Ripley Town Hall, Near Harrogate. Yorkshire
Sunday 26th August 2012  Rhythm Festival Biggleswade
Friday 7th December 2012 Whelans, Dublin

Bob Geldof

Wednesday 15th March 2012 Dubai - Irish Village
Saturday 19th May 2012  Dublin - Vicar Street
Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd May 2012 Lichfield - The Garrick
Friday 25th May 2012 Harrogate Royal Hall
Saturday 26th May 2012 Middlesborough Town Hall
Sunday 27th May 2012 The Playhouse - Whitley Bay
Tuesday 29th May  Bristol - St Georges Theatre
Wednesday 30th May 2012 Yeovil - The Octagon Theatre
Thursday 31st May 2012 Brighton - Concorde 2
Friday 1st June 2012 London - Islington Assembly Hall
Saturday 16th June 2012 Germany - Kieler Woche Festival, Kiel
Friday 29th June 2012 Latvia - Dzintari Concert Hall, Riga
Saturday 7th July 2012 Leeds - Harewood House,Harewood
Friday 27th July 2012 Germany - Rock of Ages Festival - Seebron

A New Bob

Bob Bradbury from Hello, is the latest singer/bassist to step into the shoes of Geldof and Briquette.

He played with the Rats at The Queens, Bromyard (on 5th November) and at the 70s weekend at The Unity Resort, Brean Sands, Somerset (on 6th November).

It is unknown if this is a permanent change to the line up.

There are some photographs with Bradbury sporting a pair of red trousers ala Geldof circa 1978, though definitely not quite as tight.

Geldof at Cadogan Hall

I suppose if I had to go to a Geldof concert, which I finally did tonight after some half hearted attempts in the distant past, then the least that could happen would be three Rats on stage.

Fortunately, the day before I had nabbed a couple of front row seats right in the middle of the stage.  My only fear was it may be a little too close for comfort. Cadogan Hall is possibly the most pristine venue I have ever watched a rock 'n' roll show at, only seeing Pulp at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane back in 1994 came close.  In my combat trousers, trainer and sweatshirt I feel very underdressed as all the staff were immaculately turned out and incredibly polite, a million miles away from the rude obnoxious security staff you often encounter at gigs.  Even the bouncer who threw one enthusiatic fan off stage was very polite about it!

For the most part, the concert was a lot of Geldof solo material. The best live songs were not just the Rats songs, but some of the songs off the last couple of solo albums which was a bit of a surprise for me.

Of the Sex Age & Death songs,  Mudslide and One for Me sounded far better live and  the awesome Scream in Vain more than lived up to expectations.  Scream in Vain had such a long rambling introduction that I was able to get to a distant bar and bring back a couple of beers as they started to play it. 
Other highlights were the superb Systematic Six Pack and a top notch Here's To You dedicated to his mates in the audience.   The Great Song of Indifference bookended the gig to great effect.  I have to confess that
sat in my comfy front and centre seat with a couple of beers, the remainder of the solo material washed over me, leaving me distracted enough to look around and see the venue was more or less sold out.

Now I was mainly there for the older material which took a little while to come.  I had never heard When The Night Comes live and understandably it did differ from the studio version, particularly the guitar solo.  Johnny Turnbull's electric and Vince Loveday's mandolin (well I think it was a mandolin) made the song sound different, and it's fair to say that Geldof didn't quite hold the melody as well as he could. However it was good to hear this song aired again.  Banana Republic had a long rambling introduction referring to when the Rats played Leixlip and Geldof's damning of the Irish establishment.  This was a really great rendition to the point when the indulgent play off took things down a little.  Next up was I Don't Like Mondays which  sounded like it had passed its sell by date. When people are laughing at the pause when the lesson today is how to die, you sense no one really needs to hear it again.

But the highlight of the evening was close at hand.  Suddenly Gerry Cott appeared on stage.  No one saw him walk on, he simply materialised.  Even Geldof seemed unaware he was stood right behind him as he was introducing him.   They did Mary of The Fourth Form followed by Joey's On The Street Again and then Rat Trap. This was fifteen to twenty minutes of pure magic, which brought the audience to its collective feet and was worth the price of the admission on its own.  Pete Briquette, who cooly ambled around the stage all evening, looked delighted to have his old friend back on stage with him, and the bon homie with Geldof suggested that past differences have been forgotten.

Had Geldof and co left it at that, no one could have complained, but they came out for a couple of encores. They started the encore with the bland Silly Pretty Thing, but great rendidtions of Diamond Smiles, Here's To You and finally The Great Song of Indifference when the whole band came to the front of the stage rounded off the evening superbly.  

When all is said and done it was a good show and I'm really glad I went despite certain reservations on seeing Geldof solo.  For Geldof, with the audience approaching the capacity of 900, this more or less fulfilled his ambition of playing a 2,000 seat venue and been able to walk home and sleep in his own bed.

Geldof should consider getting people standing up to watch him play in a more intimate venue like The 100 Club. Oh and of course, he should get Garrick and Simon to tag along next time and play a few more Rats songs.  Flying Fingers over from Japan may be too much to expect.

Alive and Kicking

Busy time for The Rats and Geldof, though sadly still apart, as they tour Europe

The Rats Tour Dates


Saturday 10th September 2011 Hertals Rock Festival, Netepark. 2200 Herentals. Belgium

Friday 14th October 2011 Tabernacle Junction, Yeovil BA20 1QA.

Friday 4th November 2011 Details Tbc

Saturday 5th November 2011 Booked Details Tbc

Sunday 6th November 2011 Unity Resort Brean Sands 70'S Festival



Saturday 3rd December 2011 Kiel, Germany


Bob Geldof Tour Dates 2011

Sat 4th September 2011 IRELAND, Electric Picnic, Crawdaddy Stage

Wed 14th September 2011 NEWCASTLE, The Sage Theatre

Thu 15th September 2011 SOUTHPORT Theatre

Sun 18th September 2011 CROYDON, Ashcroft Theatre

Tues 20th September 2011 LONDON, Cadogan Hall

Wed 21st September 2011 LINCOLN, Theatre Royal

3rd October 2011 - Liepzig

4th October 2011 - Kaufleuten, CH-Zurich, Switzerland

5th October 2011 - Burgheater, A-Vienna, Austria

7th October 2011 - RBB Sendesaal, Berlin, Germany

8th October 2011 - Alte Feuerwache, Mannheim, Germany

9th October 2011 - Theater am Tanzbrunnen, Koln, Germany

11th October 2011 - Fliegende Bauten, Hamburg, Germany

12th October 2011 - Theater am Aegi, Hanover, Germany

13th October 2011 - Prinzregententheater, Munchen, Germany

15th October 2011 - Franeker / De Koornbeurs ( 750 seated)

16th October 2011 - Amsterdam / melkweg - cancelled by promoter

17th October 2011 - Hoogeveen / De Tamboer (760 seated)  - cancelled by promoter

21st October 2011 - Gothenburg - Teatern

22nd October 2011 - Copenhagen - Studie 2 - DR Byen

23rd October 2011 - Oslo - Sentrum Scene

24th October 2011 - Uppsala -Katalin & All That Jazz

26th October 2011 - Stockholm - Nalen

27th October 2011 - Malmo Sweden Debaser

Wed 16th November 2011 - NUNEATON, Queens Hall

Thu 17th November 2011 - BRADFORD, St. George's Hall

Sat 19th November 2011 - ST ALBANS, Arena

Sun 20th November 2011 - MANCHESTER, The Quays Theatre

Mon 21st November 2011 - CHATHAM, Central Theatre

New Rats vocalist for Wolverhampton gig

Mike Odlum, an old school friend of Roberts and Crowe has joined the new Rats lineup as vocalist and bassist.  At this juncture, it is not clear if this is a permanent change to the line-up.

Friday 2nd  September 2011  The Varsity music venue, Stafford Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LZ.

If you would like to purchase advance tickets for £7 then please send an email to tickets@boomtownrats.co.uk

BRENTWOOD BEER AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

This is like the gig from heaven. It's the Rats, it's cheap, and there's fcuking loads of beer! Get in there! Also it is a easy trip on the train for me.  Even my son (showing my age!) fancies it, so we might just camp for the night!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!!!!!!!

Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood,Essex CM15 9NN


Fri 8th July


DOORS OPEN 1600 HRS
DJ'S WILL BE PLAYING FROM 1800HRS.
1900 - 1945
2000 - 2045 SQUABBLER
2100 - 2145 DOUBLE TROUBLE
2200 - 2330 BOOMTOWN RATS - The Rats will be here performing all of their hits from Rat Trap - Diamond Smiles to the haunting I don't like Mondays.

Madchester! (err maybe not...)

I have been informed this (along with the York date) have been postponed,and is showing as cancelled on the Factory ticket sales site .

No reasons have been given for the cancellation/postponement though it seems a bit premature to have been the result of poor ticket sales which have led to a number of Rats and Geldof concerts to be cancelled in recent years.

Best check with the venue if you have bought tickets and require a refund.

The Rats will be playing FAC251. In homage to the Happy Mondays they won't be playing I Don't Like Mondays! (as if)

Also playing a gig in York the following evening.

March

Friday 11th March FAC251 (The Factory) 112-118 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7EN

Saturday 12th March Fibbers, 8-10 Stonebow House York, YO1 7NP.

Simon Crowe Interview - LFM (107.4FM).

Simon Crowe radio interview with DJ Dave Heaney on radio station LFM (107.4FM).





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od194y9VwbY&feature=player_embedded

School of Rock

Garrick Roberts is the new Jack Black!  For those about to rock, we salute you!

Garrick demonstrated his unique style of electric guitar playing to over 300 puils at a workshop at a Solihull school. Garrick gave a talk on the history of the blues and spoke about being a member of the Rats, before treating his audience to hits like 'Rat Trap' and 'I Don't Like Mondays'.

Garry said: “I have been fascinated by the electric guitar since I was 12 years old and I believe it to be one of the most beautiful, versatile and expressive instruments.
“I am keen to show the exciting potential of the guitar to young people who are about the age I was when I began playing, as this is the time when they are ready to begin exploring and developing their own creative potential.”

Gore fest - Systematic Six-Pack Video

Listen to one of the best tracks off the new Geldof album along with the X-rated video!



Making of - Part One



Making of - Part Two



Making of - Part Three

Read All About It!

The gob is back and in full flow. Three press interviews of note that all have something in them that is worth reading even if it's just the outrageous quotes, particularly in the Quietus.

My favourites ...

"Stop talking about The Boomtown Rats because guess what? It was 30 years ago."

What? Never! I suppose it was all a bit half-arsed from 1981, so I'll give him that. But then he goes on and talks about The Rats outselling The Clash and The Jam, before discussing Red Wedge, Dr. Feelgood, The Ramones, Bob Marley and Dylan...

Bit rich from someone who sings I Don't Like Mondays at the drop of a hat to not want to discuss stuff from 30 years ago.

I suppose I better stop writing here. Sigh - what will I do?



"The sum of my ambition is to play a 2000 seat venue in London. If I could do that and sell it out, I'd like that but that's not possible and I know that."



Well no one is stopping him playing a smaller venue, are they?

And maybe if he plays well people might recommend him to their friends next time and he might get a progressively bigger audience.

I suspect that's the way it went with the Boomtown Rats, though best not talk about them - sore point.



"Creatively, Britain is the only place to be in the world."

Ah yes.
There are no artists anywhere else
nor theatre
nor film
nor software companies
nor television drama
nor televison comedy
nor authors
nor music.
I mean, look at what Britain is doing creatively these days it's the home of the X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, Harry Potter and a whole host of wannabes.
Oh bollocks! Get me out of here!

Daily Telegraph
The Guardian
The Quietus

You Bloom Music Awards - The Cobden Members Club, London Thursday 10th February 2011

This is one of those things where Geldof may or may not play, who knows he might want to give an audience a taster of his new album. Anyway, should you be in London and willing to hang around from 7.30pm you can see what happens for free.


Electro-punk maverick Quilla Constance will perform at You Bloom Music Awards presented by Sir Bob Geldof and A&R genius, Nigel Grainge.

Other acts performing:

Neev Kennedy,
Marina V
Her and The Colours
Intermission
Renny C
Joseph Dean Osgood
The Guilty Ones

The Cobden Members Club, London Thursday 10th February 2011 from 7:00pm

Price: £7.00 on the door with flyer / £5.00 before 8:30pm / Free before 7:30pm
For tickets or further information, please call the box office on
020 8960 4222

New Geldof Album - HOW TO COMPOSE POPULAR SONGS THAT WILL SELL

Geldof's fifth effort to match the glory days of the Rats. The working title was 58½, his age - though he's now 59¼.  Apparently he changed the album title after finding this book by Leslie Shepperd on the top of a piano.

Bar the throwaway single, Silly Pretty Thing, which is the only truly awful track on the album, it is something of a minor triumph.  All in all the best Geldof solo album, but not a patch on anything by the Rats.

The highlights are Blowfish with its heavily distorted blues which evokes the spirit of Jimi Hendrix; Systematic Six Pack, which sounds like it should be on the soundtrack of a Tarantino western, the video with Rhys Ifans is a nod and a wink towards it. Here's to You is the most pleasant and pleasing song Geldof has ever written, even if it borrows very heavily from The Beatles. Rounding things off is a hidden track, Young & Sober, that is a throwback to DUN LAOGHARIE and The Great Song of Indifference chronologising the life of Geldof over the last fifty odd years.

Available at all good (and probably bad ones as well) record stores, download sites, and of course Spotify and We7 if you want to have a listen for free.

Track Listing 

1. How I Roll

2. BlowFish

3. Just Get On

3. She's A Lover

4. To Live In Love

5. Silly Pretty Thing

6. Systematic 6-Pack (58½)

7. Dazzled By You

8. Mary says

9. Blow

10. Here's To You  (Hidden track: Young & Sober)

12. The Fields Of Spring
13. Too Late She Cried
14. Baby's Going Down

According to Geldof, thirty one songs were recorded, so there are another twenty that could be released. The album will be released on 15th March 2011 in the USA and launched at SXSW where Geldof will perform and headline as keynote speaker. So it's possible the tracklisting may differ for the US release.

On the album's international release there appear to be four additional tracks, these have been listed here, though struck out until they are confirmed.  These tracks were also part of the original track listing when the album was originally due to be released in mid-2010.  There were snippets of these tracks on the BBC website, but sadly they are no longer there.

Geldof's website has been relauched in the style of a kindle book to coincide with the release. Funnily enough they have restored the link to this blog.  Probably an accident.  I give it a week before I upset them all again and it gets quashed.

There is another track that seems to have missed the cut, though it could have been a working title, or simply the Comic Relief song he did with Stephen Fry and Midge Ure.

Banker's Song

Now all we need is the Rats to release something and everyone, bar Fingers who is too busy having fun in Japan, will have done something in a twelve month period.

Some clips of Geldof performing the songs

• Here's To You

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/video/showbiz/biz-sessions/3404751/Bob-Geldof-Heres-To-You.html

• How I Roll

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/video/showbiz/biz-sessions/3404753/Bob-Geldof-How-I-Roll.html

• Mary Says

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/video/showbiz/biz-sessions/3404738/Bob-Geldof-Mary-Says.html

• Dazzled By You

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/video/showbiz/biz-sessions/3404752/Bob-Geldof-Dazzled-By-You.html

• Blow

• Silly Pretty Thing

Gerry Cott Live - 27th November 2010 - St Andrews, Church Road, Cobham, Surrey

Heavens above! A rat in a church. I didn't attend so have no idea what was played or how well the concert went.



Gerry Cott will play a series of one-off performances of Urban Soundscapes in acoustically and architecturally interesting venues.

The first of these performances will be held at 7.30pm on 27th November 2010 at the 12th century Norman church of St Andrews, Church Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EJ

Get yer Kicks in the Sticks!

The Boomtown Rats played at the Whyteleafe Football Club tonight.

For a very small venue and given the extreme cold, the concert was well attended with between 100 and 150 people turning up. By the end the place was rocking with a dozen or so people on the dance floor.

They played, not necessarily in this order as I wasn't taking notes...

• Mary of the 4th Form
• Close As You'll Ever Be
• I Can Make It If You Can
• Like Clockwork
• Neon Heart
• Joey's On The Street Again
• Someone's Looking At You
• Diamond Smiles
• She Does It Right (vocals by Garry Roberts)
• Riot in Cell Block #9 (vocals by Simon Crowe)
• Looking After Number One
• Rat Trap
• She's So Modern
• I Don't Like Mondays

Fortunately the concert ended shortly before the last train out of Whyteleafe to London (via East Croydon) so I was able to make it home in the wee small hours (yawn).

Geldof in India

Bob Geldof played at The Hay Festival in Trivandrum, Kerala.

Sting got up on stage with him and they sang A Hole to Fill. See it here
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturevideo/8135373/Sir-Bob-Geldof-and-Sting-at-Hay-Festival-in-India.html

Sting - "I flew to Thiruvananthapuram to see Bob. It was a high point of my life performing the number with him. I am happy to perform with Bob and it's always a pleasure to hear him sing."

Geldof also played Banana Republic and, inevitably, I Don't Like Mondays.

An Interview with Geldof can be found here
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main47.asp?filename=hub201110That_balmy.asp

November Dates for the Rats

A busy month for the Rats. Particulary looking forward to the Surrey date which I will be attending.

Saturday 13th November Essen Grugahalle, Germany
Sunday 14th November Landungsbruecken theatre ,Gutleutstrasse 294,Frankfurt am Main.Germany
Wednesday 24th November The Pavillion, Rhyll, as special guests to The Blockheads.
Thursday 25th November Walkabout, Barnsley
Friday 26th November Whyteleafe Football Club, 15, Church Road, Whyteleafe, Surrey CR3 0AR.

Darren Beale and the Pooh Sticks

Rats guitarist, Darren Beale, will be playing with the reformed Pooh Sticks at Indietracks at the Midland Railway Centre this weekend (23rd-25th July). Catch them on the Indoor stage form 20:15 - 21:10

No - I have never listened to the Pooh Sticks. Listen to them here www.myspace.com/thepoohsticks

Gerry Cott - Urban Soundscapes

Tracklisting (Previews)

01 Liverpool: Eleanor Rigby
02 Munich: Central Station to Seeg
03 Merritt: Last stop before Vancouver
04 NYC: Cab Ride
05 London: The Southbank Nighttime
06 Santander: Looking out on a stormy sea
07 Tokyo: Walkways
08 Kiev: Big cars darkened windows
09 San Francisco: Up The Down Staircase
10 Maui: The road to Hana
11 Dublin: Empty streets with distant echoes
12 Scarborough: Going to the fair
13 Carrickfergus: Looking back

Looks like Gerry took on board my comments of picking up the guitar again a couple of years ago when I met him at the 100 Club. Sadly he has not rejoined the Rats (boo!), but he has made a solo guitar album entitled Urban Soundscapes (hooray!).

"I always was an acoustic guitarist masquerading as a rocker.". Indeed. The album kicks off with an impressive version of Eleanor Rigby so far with Gerry's distinctive lyrical style of playing. I have to confess for fans of the Rats this record may not rock your boat. Though the guitar playing is technically good and shows off Gerry's abilities, it is incidental music that is ideal background for doing the dishes or other household tasks, but unlikely to hold your interest nor move you.

Of course, you can make your own minds up and purchase the CD at the Gerry Cott Homepage or get it on iTunes . The album is also on Spotify.

You can listen to Eleanor Rigby and Cab Ride in his entry for the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition. The album is also available on

Gerry also has a twitter account you can follow.

There is the promise of some forthcoming tour dates.

Jay Bennett - Kicking at the Perfumed Air

On May 24, 2009, award winning multi-instrumentalist and producer Jay Bennett passed away. Although Jay is probably best known for his work in Wilco, he was also a very sought-after producer, collaborator and solo artist, and was the owner of the Champaign, IL-based music studio.

Jay’s posthumous record, Kicking at the Perfumed Air has been released for free download. While the download is free, donations are currently being accepted to benefit the Jay Bennett Foundation or one of its partner charities.

The title track, Diamond Smiles, is a cover of the Boomtown Rats track from The Fine Art of Surfacing. The track is done in a very different style, even though Jay's vocal are somewhat remincient of a raw youthful Geldof. The song ends with a twinkling homage to the introduction of I Don't Like Mondays.

http://rockproper.com/JayBennettFoundation/

Oil City Confidential - BBC 4 - Dr.Feelgood night

Given their influence on Rats, see the originals on BBC tonight!






9:00pm Oil City Confidential
Director Julien Temple's film celebrates Dr Feelgood
10:50pm Sight and Sound in Concert
Pete Drummond introduces a concert from Queen Mary College with Ian Dury and the Blockheads and Dr. Feelgood
11:50pm If it Ain't Stiff
Adrian Edmondson narrates a documentary chronicling the story of Stiff Records
1:20am Oil City Confidential
As above

Kats Karavan

About Kats Karavan


http://johnpeel.umusic.co.uk/

A lavishly packaged 4cd set contains singles and Peel session recordings by some of John’s favourite artists including The Boomtown Rats, he was a fan in the early days, but I think he changed his mind about the Rats as time went on....

"We keep getting sessions planned with them, new sessions for us which, for one reason or another, they don't seem to be able to do. Perhaps we've got one lined up for early in the new year, perhaps they'll do one. It would be very nice if they did anyway because, although they're famous and so on, it would still be nice to get a session out of them."

Anyway, they did a couple and Looking After No. 1 does feature on disc 1 of Kats Karavan. If you don't have the Crazy single, here's your chance to grab it. (Available for single download at Amazon) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kats-Karavan-History-John-Radio/dp/B002N1BNXC

Rats on Tour - 2010/2011

Friday 30th April 2010, Pokey Hole, Netherseal near Derby.With special guest John Williamson (from Animals and Friends) and Mike Bowdens http://www.thepokeyhole.com

Saturday 12th June 2010, The Regent Centre, Christchurch. With special guest China Crisis http://www.regentcentre.co.uk

July 2010

Sunday 18th Dordrecht- Big River Festival Holland.

August 2010

Sunday 1st New Quay Festival. South Wales, Featuring Dave Sharpe The Alarm

Saturday 14th Reepham 10 Summer Festival.Norfolk

Saturday 28th Upton Town Festival. with special guests The Blockheads and Ex Simple Minds.

Sunday 29th Mathew Street Festival Liverpool. 12.00 on stage

September 2010


Saturday 11th Kamenz, Hutbergbuhne, Germany


November 2010

Saturday 13th Essen Grugahalle, Germany

Wednesday 24th The Pavillion, Rhyll, as special guests to The Blockheads.

Thursday 25th Walkabout Barnsley

Friday 26th The Paladium Club, Bideford.


----------------------


January 2011

Friday 21st Tivoli Theatre,Wimborne. as special guests to The Blockheads.

May 2011
Friday 27th Halle, Peiznitzinsel, Germany

Sunday 29th Nice & Sleazy Morcambe

July 2011

Friday 22nd Berlin, Tempelhof, Germany

Saturday 23rd Ahmsen, Freilichtbuhne, Germany

August 2011

Saturday 13th Werne, Freilichtbuhne, Germany

Year of the Rat Tour 2009

Wednesday 2nd December 2009 Cleethorps Beachcomber with local support
Thursday 3rd December 2009 Homfirth Picture Dome with local support
Friday 4th December 2009 DNE Club Wakefield with special guests China Crisis
Saturday 5th December 2009 The Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford. with special guests Eddie and the Hot Rods
Sunday 6th December 2009 Whithaven Civic Hall, with special guest, Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Wednesday 9th December 2009 Key Street, Clitheroe. with special guest, Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Tuesday 8th Thursday 10th December 2009 The New Tavern, Wigan, with special guest, Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Thursday 10th December 2009 Rock City, Nottingham. with special guests China Crisis
Friday 11th December 2009 Victoria Hotel, Largs
Saturday 12th December 2009 The Roadhouse Birmingham, with special guest, Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Sunday 13th December 2009 Ropetackle Centre. Shoreham with special guest, Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Wednesday 16th December 2009 Norwich Waterfront as special guests of The Blockheads also featuring Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Thursday 17th December 2009 Electric Ballroom, London as special guests of The Blockheads and Eddie and The Hot Rods
Friday 18th December 2009 TJ's Newport with local support
Saturday 19th December 2009 The Lights. Andover with special guest, Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Saturday 19th December 2009 Pigs Nose Inn, East Prawl. Devon with local support
Sunday 20th December 2009 Mr Kyps. Poole, with special guest, Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Monday 21st December 2009 The Tunnels, Bristol as special guests of The Blockheads also featuring Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Tuesday 22nd December 2009 Oran Mor, Glasgow. Scotland. With Special Guests Eddie and The Hot Rods
Wednesday 23rd December 2009 Move Music Venue, Galashiels. Scotland. With Special Guests Eddie and The Hot Rods Sham 69


Summer Tour 2008

Saturday 26th July 2008- Pigs Nose Inn, East Prawl, Devon
Monday 4th August 2008 - Key Street Music Bar, Clitheroe
Wednesday 6th August 2008- The Robin, Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 7LJ
Thursday 7th August 2008 (+ THE VIBRATORS) 100 Club, 100 Oxford Street, London W1
Friday 8th August 2008- Rebellion Festival, Empress Ballroom, The Winter Gardens, Church Street, Blackpool. On stage 10.20pm
Saturday 9th August 2008- The M Club, Crewe. POSTPONED to Friday 23rd January
Saturday 15th November 2008 Charter Hall, Market Street, Okehampton. with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Wednesday 17th December 2008 Swansea Sin City with Eddie and The Hot Rods RESCHEDULED to 3rd February 2008

January 2009

Thursday 15th Key Street, Clitheroe TBC
Friday 16th The Cluney Newcastle with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Saturday 17th Theatre Royal Wakefield with special guest Blackheart Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Wednesday 21st Leeds Irish Centre with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Thursday 22nd Corn Exchange, Bedford. with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Friday 23rd M Club Crewe with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Saturday 24th Corn Exchange, Newbury. with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Sunday 25th Rock n Blues Festival, Skegness with Eddie and The Hot Rods, Dr Feelgood, Wilko Johnson,The Hamsters etc

Strictly speaking the year of the Rat ended on 25th January 2009

Monday 26th Exmouth Pavillion with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Tuesday 27th The Musician, Leicester with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Wednesday 28th The Arts Complex, Solihull with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses.
Thursday 29th The Playhouse Alnwick with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Friday 30th The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm, with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Saturday 31st The Platform Morcambe with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses

February 2009

Sunday 1st Martletts Hall, Burgess Hill. with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Tuesday 3rd Swansea Sin City with Eddie and The Hot Rods
Wednesday 4th Huntingdon Hall Worcester with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Thursday 5th The Castle Wellinborough with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Tuesday 10th Baby Blue Club, The Albert Dock, Liverpool with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Thursday 12th Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm.
Friday 13th The Brook Southampton with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Saturday 14th The Playhouse, Harlow with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Sunday 15th The Robin Bilston with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm

Friday 17th April 2009 SPIRIT OF 77 FESTIVAL West Coast Bar, King Street, Margate. £13.50 http://www.westcoastlive.co.uk/
Saturday 18th April 2009 Hailsham Pavilion with support
Thursday 23rd April 2009 Rothes Hall, Glenrothes. Fife. Scotland with support tba
Friday 24th April 2009 Motor Cycle News (MCN) Festival. Skegness
Saturday 25th April 2009 Didcot Arts Centre
Monday 25th May 2009 Darwen Town Festival (Free Festival)
Saturday 13th June 2009 South Shields Ampitheatre (Free Festival)

Saturday 27th June 2009 PARTY ON THE FARM - Edolphs Farm, Charlwood. Surrey RH6 0EB http://www.theratsatedolphs.co.uk/ £20

Tuesday 4th August 2009 Ypres Town Festival. Belgium

Boomtown Rats @ Ieper


Boomtown Rats @ Ieper



Wednesday 30th September 2009 Monte Carlo, Monaco Le Moods with special guests The Damned From The Jam
Thursday 1st October 2009 Paris with special guests The Damned From The Jam

The first Rats Tape

http://www.irishrock.org/ipnw/bands/boomtownrats.html

I just read about a demo tape from the Rats pre-record contract. Interesting that the only songs to ever make it to record were Neon Heart and Born to Burn. Menage A Trois did get an airing on BBC Radio 1 back in 1979, but there are few unknown Rats songs. It is also possible that these tracks changed names and are familiar. However, I don't have any idea on that.

I guess no one has this. Do they? You know it's Christmas soon? Should you have it or a copy, let me know. But don't expect me to pay for it, I've given out plenty of rare MP3s/videos so I'm due some payback!

You can get a flavour of the tape from the originals. Use Spotify to construct a playlist, unless you happen to have all the tracks. I bought Burnin' by the Wailers yesterday, so bar a couple of tracks I have most of them somewhere.

There are 22 tracks on the tape with seven Rats originals. Dave Moloney (of Vipers fame) plays drums on the first 10 tracks, Simon Crowe on the rest.

In general, I have gone for the version The Rats are most likely to have copied rather than the true original.

Side One
Rolling Stones (Original Chuck Berry)	Little Queenie
Little Walter	My Babe
Boomtown Rats	Gettin' Back To Me
Wailers	Get Up Stand Up
Boomtown Rats	New Wave (New Age)
Boomtown Rats	Neon Heart
Chuck Berry	Promised Land
Ronnie Wood	I Can Feel The Fire
Rolling Stones (Original Nat King Cole)	Route 66
Boomtown Rats	Born To Burn
Boomtown Rats	Jesse James
Side Two
Eddie Cochran (Original Clyde McPhatter song)	Money Honey
Dr. Feelgood	All Through The City
Rolling Stones (Original Chuck Berry)	Carol
The Who	My Generation
Dr. Feelgood	Riot In Cell Block #9
Little Walter	My Babe
Dr. Feelgood (Original John Lee Hooker)	Boom Boom
Dr. Feelgood	Don't You Just Know It
Boomtown Rats	Getting Back To Me
Boomtown Rats	Menage A Trois
Rolling Stones (Original Chuck Berry)	Little Queenie

Thirty years ago - I Don't Like Mondays released

And he can see no reasons
'Cos there are no reasons
What reason do you need to be shown?

Tell me why
I don’t like Mondays
I wanna shoot the whole day down

I Don't Like Mondays is the most famous Rats song vying with Do They Know It's Christmas? as Geldof's most well known composition. The story behind the song is pretty well known. On the morning of Monday 29th January 1979 in San Diego, a 16-year-old schoolgirl, Brenda Spencer, took the .22 calibre gun her father had given her as a Christmas present and aimed it at the school playground directly opposite her family home. She killed two men and injured eight children.

Her explanation for doing this was "I don't like Mondays, it livens up the day."

The silicon chip inside her head
Gets switched to overload
And nobody’s gonna go to school today
She’s gonna make them stay at home
And daddy doesn’t understand it
He always said she was good as gold

Geldof claims he was doing an interview in Atlanta with Johnnie Fingers when the news story came through on the telex and started writing the song the same day.
However when Mondays was performed for the first time in San Diego itself on 27th February 1979, he claimed to have read about the incident in the newspapers and saw it on the televison in London. The first rendition

To quote Geldof from the San Diego concerts....

San Diego 27th Feb 1979 - ."..about a month ago we read in the paper in England about Debbie Spencer...."

San Diego 28th Feb 1979 - "...what happened was we were watching the box in London and next minute san diego came on the tv screen and there was a picture of this girl I think Brenda Spencer....."

http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/boomtown-rats/

This is a more likely, if less interesting, explanation, especially as Geldof was probably not in the US at the time. Geldof and Fingers did tour the US in January 1979 and visited a number of radio stations but at the time of the incident it is likely they had returned to London.

The alternative account from Is That is? is littered with inconsistencies such as the incident happening four months previous rather than just one month. This is Paul Vallely, his ghost writer, using his creative licence.

The Telex machine is kept so clean
And it types to a waiting world

The most famous rendition of the song was at Live Aid in 1985 when Geldof
paused to dramatic effect on the snippet -

And the lesson today is how to die

Which was an apt statement for the day, albeit in the context of a song about a spree killer. Interestingly, this was the first school shooting of its kind, a phenomenon that culminated in the infamous Columbine tragedy.

The song entered the UK charts at number 15 and reached number one the following week and stayed there for four weeks. It didn't fare so well in the United States thanks to the song being more or less banned from the radio, and peaked at number 73.

It also represented the commercial peak of The Boomtown Rats, A Tonic for the Troops re-entered the UK album charts on the back of the success of I Don't Like Mondays. For a short period they were arguably the biggest band in the British Isles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Don't_Like_Mondays

Chicago/Change The World

Cover of "Chicago/Change the world" by Crosby Stills and Nash sung by David Gimour, Chrissie Hynde and Bob Geldof in support of "Pentagon Hacker" Gary Mckinnon. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Mckinnon

Midsummer’s Gig for Dave McHale - Blackrock Rugby Club - Sunday 21st June 2009 - 6.30pm

Dave McHale, 58, died in late May 2009 in Frankfurt after losing his battle with cancer.

Dave played on Mondo Bongo and V Deep and toured with the band in the early eighties. He was thought of as the unofficial seventh member of The Boomtown Rats. Dave played keyboards and saxophone and was a session musician of some repute.

The Midsummer’s Gig for Dave aimed to raise funds to erect a bench in his home town of Monkstown, County Dublin in his memory.

Garrick Roberts, Pete Briquette and Bob Geldof took part in a one-off musical tribute at Blackrock Rugby Club and sung Dave, from the In The Long Grass LP, the song that he wrote about his friend's plight .

Geldof was inspired to write 'Dave' after McHale's girlfriend died suddenly. "We had dropped Dave off in London after a tour," he explained. "He had a row with his girlfriend and she took off. Then he found her dead from a five-pound bag of heroin. I wrote this song the next day."

Irish Independent

Hot Press

Irish Showbands

Another date for Geldof in the Irish pub in the middle of the Fucking Desert

Geldof certainly seems to like it out there. His annual St. Patrick's date at the Dubai Irish Village takes place on Friday March 13th. Tickets available from www.itp.net/tickets

Entry Charges: Dhs100
Opening hours: Door open 7pm show stars 9pm

Spotify now available to everyone in the UK

This is a great streaming service along with www.we7.com that will allow you to listen to a vast back catalogue of music including ALL the Boomtown Rats albums, among many others. Pretty much everything from Bob Dylan to Pulp (well except The Beatles). There are some advertisements but other than that it's all FREE!!!

Starting today people in the UK will no longer need an invitation to join Spotify, you can register for the free streaming service directly from the website.

http://www.spotify.com/en/products/free/

See The Rats in Harlow for a Fiver!

Credit Crunch Special! Treat the love of your life on Valentine's night.

http://www.playhouseharlow.com/whatson/plays/boomtown-rats

Toni Weekes presents...
Original Boomtown Rats Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe with Peter Barton and Darren Beale present The Rats In Concert
Sat 14th February 2009 - 7.30pm
Main Auditorium
Featuring Special Guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm.

Price: £5

Dates and times
14 February, 2009 19:30

Geldof in Norway

Some dates by Geldof in Norway. I had no idea he was so popular in Scandanavia!

9th December Lillestrøm Kultursenter http://www.rb.no/lokal_kultur/article3981992.ece (or maybe not according to the reviews/comments)
10th December Skien Ibsenhuset http://www.ta.no/pulsen/article3984562.ece (seemingly popular in Skien)
11th December Nøtterøy Kulturhus
13th December Tromsø Kulturhus - so far north, it is more or less in perpetual darkness in December! http://www.nordlys.no/kultur/article3991104.ece
14th December Oslo Gamle Logen AS http://tb.no/article/20081212/KULTUR/443990649/1011/NYHETER

On A Night Like This DVD

A re-release on DVD of a Rats gig from 1985. Was previously available on VHS and also on the now deleted Someone's Looking DVD . I'd advise tracking that down rather than getting this, unless there are a host of previously unavailable extras.

Led by the inimitable Sir Bob Geldof (and totally overshadowed by his later charity work on the Band Aid and Live Aid projects), the Boomtown Rats were nevertheless an important and notable band who were a real force in the charts and active between 1975 and 1986. 5 of the band's Top 40 singles, including 2 Number 1's, are included in this rousing performance to a rammed crowd filmed at The Dominion Theatre, London in 1985.

Tracklist:

1. Elephant's Graveyard
2. Charmed Lives
3. Lucky
4. Neon Heart
5. Someone's Looking At You
6. Dave
7. Hold Of Me
8. I Don't Like Mondays
9. Talk In Code
10. Rat Trap
11. Drag Me Down
12. Looking After no 1

100 Club

Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe were back, but this time they had two new recruits. Peter Barton and Darren Beale.

Peter Barton is a strong R'n'B vocalist who added depth to the vocals on a bunch of classic tracks. Barton even wore his pyjama bottoms lest anyone miss Fingers' sartorial style. He was aided and abetted by Darren Beale whose virtuoso guitar made up for the lack of horns, strings and keyboards. There was the majestic drumming of Simon Crowe holding it all together, and the authentic sound of Garry Roberts, providing the main riffs that made the Rats sounds from 1977 -1979.

The audience were treated to a run through of many of the Rats finest moment from the late seventies.

They played (Peter Barton on lead vocals except where stated) ....

• Close As You'll Ever Be
• Looking After Number One
• Neon Heart
• Mary of The Fourth Form
• Joey's On The Street Again
• Someone's Looking At You
• I Can Make It If You Can
• She Does It Right (Lead Vocals : Garry Roberts)
  
• Like Clockwork
• Riot in Cell Block #9 (Lead Vocals : Simon Crowe)
• She's Gonna Do You In
• All Through The City (Lead Vocals : Simon Crowe)
• Rat Trap
• She's So Modern
• I Don't Like Mondays

Gerry Cott was also in attendance to watch his former band members going down a storm with the enthusiastic crowd.



It was brilliant! Go and see the Rats! Next stop Blackpool.

Key Street Music Bar, Clitheroe

Monday 4th August - Key Street Music Bar, Clitheroe 01200 422 588. Doors 7.30pm



“We asked but Bob politely declined. He said he's doing his own thing now,” said Simon. “Bob's gone in a different musical direction and we're about taking it back to basics."

Simon wants to make sure I make it clear that it's just two of the original line-up reuniting — himself on drums and Garry Roberts on guitar. They're being joined by The Animals' Peter Barton on bass and Darren Beale on lead guitar.

“I wouldn't say 'just' two of us though,” said Simon. “We'll be playing the songs we used to play when we first started off in 1975 — all the early stuff that really defined the Rats, We're drawing the line after the second album.”

“Garry and I talked about it before but although we could have got a few pub gigs we didn't really have the contacts in the music business to make it work from a commercial sense,” said Simon.

Simon and Garry contacted the other Rats but they were all too busy.

“We thought we'd just carry on anyway,” said Simon. “The music comes naturally to me and Garry but the new guys have had to do a bit of homework. It's not been a problem though. They're such good musicians they've slipped into it.”

“We did a gig in Devon the other day and the place was hopping — it was absolutely electric. It was so long since it's happened like that I forgot the feeling.”

The band hope to record a new album in 2009 but they're not getting carried away.

“We're taking one step at a time,” said Simon. "We're just going to get out there and see what reaction we get. But the message is watch this space. We're back, we're in action and it could be Boomtime again.”

Rats first gig in 20 plus years in Devon.

Hundreds were turned away and left outside the Pigs Nose Inn , East Prawl, Devon for the return of The Rats. A set comprising of early songs and Dr. Feelgood covers went down like a storm. A great night out for those who happened to be on vacation in that part of the world. The rest of us have a few opportunities to catch them in August and early next year.

Fingers Fest

Seems like Johnnie is pretty busy way out east. No wonder he wasn't able to join The Rats.

Fuji Rock Line Up

BBC report

But while the event is unashamedly based on Glastonbury, Fuji Rock is a totally different experience.

"It might be inspired by Glastonbury, but done in a Japanese way," says the festival's international organiser, Johnnie Fingers.

Fingers' real name is John Moylett, but he is better known to many as a founding member of The Boomtown Rats. He has been working in the Japanese music scene for 15 years, and has been part of the Fuji Rock team for six of them.

'Fuji experience'

"We call it the Fuji experience. It is like Glastonbury, but has been perfected in that Japanese way," he says.

"The biggest difference is that is so clean. Everybody cleans up their own mess.

"It is also so secure and safe. People leave things out without worrying about theft."

Fingers adds Fuji Rock - named after the mountain which played host to the first festival in 1997 - has set itself apart by keeping sponsorship to a minimum, concentrating on the festival's spectacular setting in a steep mountain valley.

"Japanese people are so used to being surrounded by advertising and sponsorship, so we have tried to make this feel like a weekend away in the countryside," he explains.

The festival attracts a mainly Japanese crowd, with about 90% of revellers being local.

A final question for Johnnie Fingers - has he persuaded any of his old Boomtown Rats bandmates to visit Fuji Rock yet?

He shakes his head: "Not yet. Bob Geldof was over here recently and we had dinner. It was the first time I'd seen him in 20 years - but he mainly wanted to talk about the G8."

Bobby Geldog in the Wizard of Cott

You just can't keep the Rats out of the news these days......

Daily Mail

GMTV Interview with Gerry Cott

Bobby the westie is hailed by critics as the real star of the capital's Wizard Of Oz show

Toto is played by Bobby, a West Highland terrier who has something of a showbusiness pedigree - he is the protege of former Boomtown Rats guitarist Gerry Cott.

Mr Cott, who founded the group with Bob Geldof but quit before their fifth album was released, has coached Bobby to perform tricks that leave audiences open-mouthed

Mr Cott, 55, who lives with his wife Cathy and sons Harry, 19, and Sonny, 11, near Leatherhead, said: 'He has integrated so well with the cast because he is so calm and relaxed.

Our method of training works on the dog's character and confidence, which means they can be comfortable even on stage in front of hundreds of people.

'It is a bit like, "Look at me, look at me,"' said Mr Cott.

'It was a little unfair of him to muscle in on such a lovely moment in the play.'

He and Harry, who is working as Bobby's chaperone during the show's run, spent a week integrating the dog with the cast and teaching Sian Brooke, who plays Dorothy, a series of silent cues to prompt his performance.

Mr Cott, who was born into an Irish farming family, said he enjoyed working with animals and that his time with the Boomtown Rats had helped him gear his training towards the film, music and television industries.

He said contrary to some rumours, Bobby was not named after Geldof.

The Cotts, who own dress designing company Phoenix Cobham as well as running Dog Training One2One and A-ZAnimals, have helped coach thousands of animals using an American training method Mr Cott refers to as 'dog whispering.'

Geldof plays the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland

His last scheduled date this year. Unless he's planning to join the Rats......
Expect the usual of undue amounts of solo material and a rendition of I Don't Like Mondays.

Time:
15:00-21:00
[ 6011 ]
Place: Kirjurinluoto Arena
Performers:

• Ann Hampton Callaway & Novosibirsk Big Band
• Return To Forever: Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola & Lenny White
• Metro Special Edition feat. Randy Brecker & Dave Weckl
• Bob Geldof

Tickets: 55 eur

http://www.porijazz.fi/content/view/119/146/lang,eng/joe=esiintyja?lang2=en&artist_no=21803&venue_no=35832

Geldof goes to Halle

Geldof and band played the Händels Open in Halle.

21.00 Uhr Halle (Hallmarkt) Bob Geldof und Band http://www.festevent.de/

Back at the Irish Pub in the middle of the fucking desert again.

Geldof played The Irish Village, Garhoud, Dubai. Those guys must love him even if he didn't think too much of the venue first time around. Also a little safer than Libya. Also Geldof had a pretty dull interview in Dubai!

Geldof Backs Dustin For Europe

Live on RTE1 from 8pm (if you can bear it!)



http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0223/1203619293486.html?via=me

His participation in tonight's final may have already ruffled a few feathers, but Dustin the Turkey yesterday received the heavyweight backing of Bob Geldof in his bid for Eurovision glory.

The musician and co-founder of Live Aid said it would be nothing short of "rank poultryism" should "one of the greatest talents this country has ever produced" fail to be selected to represent "our glorious musical heritage" on the world stage.

"The mere fact of his being a turkey should give Ireland the edge," suggested Geldof.
He said it should not be claimed that "simply because this giant is a turkey he is somehow unfit to represent his country".If the Eurovision Song Contest was known for anything at all, he added, "it is the vast number of turkeys it produces each year . . . Sure won't he gobble them up!"

Asked to comment on Bob Geldof's support, Dustin said he was glad to have the support of someone who, "like meself does a little bit of charity work in his spare time". He added: "I really am chuffed. We couldn't get Christy Moore."

Geldof plays Germany

7th Dec 2007 Columbia Club Berlin
8th Dec 2007 Hartenholm Festival
9th Dec 2007 Weltsalon Tollwood Winterfestival Theresienwiese, München

The gigs took place, an audience turned up and some reviews

I am Bob

Best thing Geldof has done since, err, the Great Song of Indifference.

Geldof is abandoned by his chauffer at a remote pub in the north of England. A lookalike competition is taking place which Geldof competes in order to win the cash prize and get to Scotland. Geldof has to compete with a Geldof lookalike singing a duet of I Don’t Like Mondays, which would be a splendid promo in its own right, and answer questions on Geldof. With a running time of around 19 minutes, this is a little gem that is well worth taking a look at.

Watch it http://www.comedybox.tv/index.aspx?filter=picks&clip=10249

Review from the Times

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/london_film_festival/article2689689.ece

Geldof in Poland

Not a lot I can add other than there were two free concerts, an audience turned up and Geldof did as well.

1-Sep Warsaw
2-Sep Lubin

http://www.warsawvoice.pl/view/15646

Irish singer and charity campaigner Bob Geldof performed with Polish rock musician Lech Janerka at a Music for Peace concert on Warsaw's Teatralny Square Sept. 1. Geldof always wrote rock music with lyrics that never stayed indifferent to reality, and so his involvement in the Warsaw concert is no coincidence. Like Geldof's, Janerka's music is rebellious and expressive. With the Klaus Mitffoch band, which he formed in 1979, Janerka recorded an album titled after the name of the group that was hailed as one of the most important in the history of Polish pop and rock. The lyrics dealt with the reality of communist Poland in the 1980s, and many of the songs criticized the regime of the time.

Sept. 1, 8 p.m.
1 Teatralny Sq., free admission.

I Predict A Riot

Geldof off causing trouble in Libya. Rumours that the rioting started when he gave some of his solo material an airing are grossly exaggerated! Those Libyans have exemplary musical taste :-) . Word to the wise, stick to the Rats material in the future.

No one knows why Geldof was out there for an unannounced concert at a politcal rally for Gadaffi's son. Maybe it was political, maybe just financial. The band almost lost their equipment to boot. I suspect the next time Geldof is back in that part of the world it will be in the Irish pub in the middle of the fucking desert.

http://www.jeuneafrique.com/partenariat/article_jeune_afrique.asp?art_cle=LIN26087couacizahgn0&part=50

... the young people suddenly awoke with the arrival of Bob Geldof, the celebrated rocker and anti-poverty campaigner. Before starting, Geldof suggested the soldiers leave. Things then started to get nasty! The crowd chanted ("Libya! Libya! "), the spectators rained projectiles onto the stage, forcing Geldof and his musicians to wrap things up quickly.

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/hisham_matar/2007/09/no_hope_for_change.html

... when Sir Bob Geldof then took to the stage to play a rock concert, talking in the language Libyans had been kept from learning and which they needed most in interacting and trading with the outside world, the crowd protested. Sir Bob tried to calm them, but their contempt grew even stronger. For days after streets were cordoned off in Benghazi, where many young men had been stirred.

What remains difficult to understand, however, is what was Geldof doing there in the first place? Accepting an invitation to play after the dictator's son's speech suggests support of a regime that has oppressed the Libyan people for 38 years.

Sir Bob Geldof's appearance on stage brought all this back; reminded us of what had been taken from us and was now being returned, by the very regime that had imposed this narrow interpretation of who we were, without apology or even an explanation, and in the grotesque form of a pop concert.

Geldof second on bill in Florence

Geldof did turn up. I was holidaying in nearby France, but we didn't meet!



The Italia Wave Love Festival, to be held in Florence from July 17-22, features first-rate Italian and international guests such as Bob Geldof.

ITALY WAVE, 22 July 2007 http://www.arezzowave.com/italiawave/programma22.php

MAIN STAGE

[00.15] Carmen Consoli
[22.05] Bob Geldof (Ireland)
[20.20] Naturally 7 (USA)
[19.25] Julie Feeney (Ireland)
[19.00] Waines (Sicily)

Rock Goes To College - BBC 4 - 7.30pm

Forty minutes of a great performance. Shame I missed it :-( Don't suppose anyone out there has a recording? on DVD?

He Bangs The Drum

Simon Crowe is back on the road with Jiggerypipery with two dates in Scotland this weekend.

"I think the Boomtown Rats was a pop band really. We invented our own style – we were out to be successful, but not in the sense of wanting to be celebrities – though that was possibly an ambition of Sir Bob's. But we got to go around the world a couple of times – and we sold a lot of records!"
Highland Times Article

There are even some MP3s available so you can listen to what Simon is up to these days Listen to Jiggerypipery