The Boomtown Rats are back out on the road with a 12-date UK tour through October and November celebrating 50 years since a bunch of rebellious young Irish guys formed the band.
Last night [Saturday 11th October] they delivered a fiery and powerful performance to a sold out 2,000+ crowd at Birmingham’s all-seated Symphony Hall, where everyone stood up from the second the band hit the stage and lifted the roof with the sing-alongs.
The second night of the “Happy Birthday Boomtown” tour, which kicked off in Nottingham on Friday and closes in Liverpool on 15th November.
The band’s London show on 31st October at the famed Eventim Apollo, comes exactly 50 years since their first gig back home in Ireland. [On all dates on this tour there is a screening of a short documentary film on the band.]
There are three original members in the band today: Bassist Pete Briquette, drummer Simon Crowe and of course, Sir Bob Geldof. They are joined by Alan Dunn on keyboards, Darren Beale on guitar, and Paul Cuddeford on guitar.
The Boomtown Rats formed in 1975 in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland – founded by Bob Geldof (vocals), Garry Roberts (guitar), Johnnie Fingers (keyboards), Pete Briquette (bass), Gerry Cott (guitar), and Simon Crowe (drums).
The band’s big break came with their signing to Ensign Records in 1977, followed by the release of their self-titled debut album.
They found international fame with a string of hits, including “Rat Trap,” the first-ever UK # 1 single by an Irish band, and the iconic “I Don’t Like Mondays,” which topped charts around the world.
Their albums, from “A Tonic for the Troops” to “The Fine Art of Surfacing” and “Mondo Bongo”, combined sharp social commentary with infectious melodies, cementing their status as innovators in the punk and post-punk era.
They had a string of top 10 hits, platinum albums, and Brit, Ivor Novello and Grammy awards.
In the 80’s, Bob Geldof’s activism took centre stage, culminating in his spearheading of the monumental Live Aid concert in 1985. The Boomtown Rats disbanded in 1986, with the members pursuing individual projects.
After a hiatus of nearly three decades, the band reunited in 2013. In 2020, they released “Citizens of Boomtown”, their first album of new material in over three decades, accompanied by a memoir from Bob Geldof.
This timeless band played alongside The Ramones and Talking Heads on their debut tour, whose lead singer Sir Bob Geldof mobilised entire nations with Live Aid, and inspired a young Bono to form U2.
It has been a busy year for them in 2025…lots of big festivals across Europe, Ireland, England and Scotland; with focus on The Rats’ 50th birthday, and with Live Aid 40, and Band Aid 40, both events which the band were intimately involved with.
Setlist
Rat Trap
(I Never Loved) Eva Braun
Like Clockwork
Neon Heart
(She’s Gonna) Do You In
Monster Monkeys
Someone’s Looking at You
I Don’t Like Mondays
Whole World
Close as You’ll Ever Be
When the Night Comes
She’s So Modern
Banana Republic
Diamond Smiles
The Boomtown Rats
A new compilation album dropped in September: “The First Fifty Years: Songs Of Boomtown Glory”, with tracks selected by the fans via an on-line poll, and some chosen by the band; all original recordings. A 24-song 2-LP set and 27-song CD.
The big hits are included in the 15-song set and some perhaps forgotten gems; which kicks off with “Rat Trap”, and we are treated to “Like Clockwork”, She’s So Modern”, “Banana Republic”, “Somebody’s Looking At You”, “Diamond Smiles” and of course, the timeless classic and indelibly etched into the memory, “I Don’t Like Mondays”.
Mr Geldof is still as aggressive and growling and prowling and snarling as he has always been, and has plenty of energy at 74-years-old. Still a real presence as a frontman and his angry and commanding voice still capable of pinning you to the back wall at times.
They may be vintage and they may be veterans, but they are very much still well and truly “at it” and “up for it” writ large. The band as tight as a duck’s rear end, but also still raw and raunchy, which is what the songs demand.
A bloody excellent night in Brum, and if you can still get tickets for dates on this tour, don’t hesitate. Even if it is a Monday!
- The support act in Birmingham came from The Horn – London’s Britpop-infused five-piece indie rock band.
Photos by Jason Sheldon
Words by Steve Best
