December 2nd 2024.
In exciting news for fans of 70s rock, Bob Geldof and The Boomtown Rats have announced that they will be hitting the road again in 2025. This massive tour will mark fifty years since the band's debut and will include 12 shows across the UK. And don't worry, none of the dates are on a Monday!
The Boomtown Rats originally formed in Dublin in 1975, with a line-up that included keyboard player Johnnie Fingers, bassist Pete Briquette, guitarists Gerry Cott and Garry Roberts, and drummer Simon Crowe. Sadly, Garry Roberts passed away in 2022 at the age of 75. The band rose to fame with their hit song "I Don't Like Mondays" in 1979, and continued to release other chart-topping hits such as "Like Clockwork," "Rat Trap," and "Banana Republic."
Frontman Bob Geldof, now 73 years old, is also known for his philanthropy work. He co-founded the Band Aid initiative in the 1980s, which aimed to raise money and awareness for the famine crisis in Ethiopia. Now, fifty years after their debut, The Boomtown Rats are ready to hit the stage again and celebrate their musical legacy.
The band's tour will take them to cities such as Nottingham, Birmingham, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Sheffield, Cambridge, London, Southampton, Manchester, Gateshead, York, and Liverpool between October 10 and November 15. The highlight of the tour will be a special performance at the Apollo in London on October 30, which coincides with the band's 50th anniversary of their first-ever show.
Tickets for the shows will go on sale on December 6 at 10am. According to the band's website, this tour is not just an ordinary one, but a celebration of their musical legacy. It will also include an exclusive documentary screening with never-before-seen footage, taking fans on a journey through the band's extraordinary history. It's a wonderful opportunity for fans to create memories and relive the magic of The Boomtown Rats with fellow fans.
The current line-up of the band consists of Bob Geldof on vocals, Alan Dunn on keyboard, Darren Beale on guitar, Pete Briquette on bass and keyboard, and Simon Crowe on drums and percussion. This tour will culminate at the Olympia in Liverpool, making it a special ending to their celebration.
The news of The Boomtown Rats' tour comes amidst ongoing controversy over the charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Bob Geldof helped mastermind in 1984. The song was re-released this year for its 40th anniversary, featuring reused vocals from rock icons such as Sting and Bono. However, rapper Fuse ODG has criticized the song for perpetuating stereotypes about Africa and making him want to disassociate from his roots.
Bob has also faced criticism from Ed Sheeran, who said that he did not give permission for his vocals to be used in the 40th-anniversary mix. In response, Bob defended the song's purpose, stating that it has kept millions of people alive. He also emphasized the need to continue helping those in need, rather than getting caught up in abstract debates.
In addition to his music career, Bob has also been busy filming a zombie movie in Australia. But his commitment to using his platform for good has not wavered. He believes that despite any controversies, the primary focus should remain on helping those in need. As he puts it, "There are 600 million hungry people in the world, and we can help some of them. That's what we will continue to do."
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