The Boomtown Rats demonstrated they are still very much a force to be reckoned with in today’s music scene with a powerful performance at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall - the opening date of the band's 50th birthday tour...
There was a tangible air of mounting excitement as I arrived at The Royal Concert Hall for this memorable performance by the legendary Boomtown Rats. There were some there who were likely teenagers when the band hit the charts in the late 70s, including one guy determined to get in the spirit of the moment sporting a pair of stripey trousers; the kind which Bob Geldof wore on Top of the Pops when Rat Trap was at Number 1 in 1978. Bob had celebrated his 74th birthday only the Sunday ahead of this tour that includes original members bassist Pete Briquette and drummer Simon Crowe.
The support band was The Horn, an up and coming indie-influenced band from London. I chatted to their manager, Richard, as two local lasses handed out free badges in front of a banner advertising the band. Richard readily expressed his excitement to be in Nottingham supporting such a prestigious band.
This proved to be a good choice by The Boomtown Rats, warming up proceedings nicely with a flawless performance, playing a selection of their material which included tracks from their debut album, People Like Us. Also played from the album was a track released as a single, Passion, which featured choppy guitar riffs driving the rocky melody along. Vocalist Jonny Taylor was in fine voice, giving a bit of commentary on the songs, taking the lead at the mic as well as playing guitar which supplemented the pleasing riffs of the lead guitarist, Danny Monk. The synths, driven by Ed Cox, added that extra dimension to the songs, whilst the requisite thumping bass and drums completed the overall sound to great effect, courtesy of Nick True and Alex Moorse, respectively.
The set drew to its conclusion in rousing style with their latest single, Something You Forgot, released only hours previously, which was typically indie infused with a bouncy melody and some nice guitar licks. The Horn are a band definitely in the ascendancy.
Before The Boomtown Rats hit the stage, there was a documentary of the band’s history to the present time screened on the stage backdrop. This was a well produced and lively presentation that forcibly grabbed the attention dealing with the band’s inception in 1975 in Dun Laoghaire to the present day. The fledgling band, originally called The Nightlife Thugs, changed their name to The Boomtown Rats after Geldof was inspired by a boyhood gang of the same name mentioned in Woody Guthrie’s autobiography, Bound for Glory. This screening set the scene nicely for the show everyone was eagerly awaiting: They weren’t to be disappointed.
The short break that proceeded The Boomtown Rat’s entrance was the calm that preceded the storm. Everyone sat patiently waiting, when, as if there had been a clap of thunder from a clear blue sky, the stage lights went up and Bob Geldof bounded onto the stage with an energy more usually associated with Mick Jagger.
He was closely followed by the rest of the band who took up their positions before quickly launching into Rat Trap.
At this, all those seated stood up and cheered, only infrequently returning to their seats in the next ninety minutes. Some were dancing, some were leaping around, and singing along, with Bob in funky flared jeans ruffling his long and abundant curly white hair untiringly running around the stage, arms wide open and making eye contact with the crowd.
This performance was an unstoppable force, which at no point ever showed any sign of easing, with the band revisiting many of their best known hits along with a few of the lesser played songs, including a sprinkling from their recent album Citizens of Boomtown. Of note was the impeccable guitar playing of Darren Beale, who has undoubtedly proved himself to be a most worthy replacement for the band’s original guitarist, Garry Roberts, who sadly passed in 2022.
Darren demonstrated his axe playing prowess superbly in jamming together with Bob on harmonica for the bluesy number (She’s Gonna) Do You In which was visually mind blowing with Bob kneeling down and Darren playing alongside. Thumping bass and relentless drumming from original Rats Pete Briquette and Simon Crowe formed a formidable backdrop to an absolutely stunning performance, as well as some additional tasty licks from the band’s other guitarist, Paul Cuddeford.
Monster Monkeys, another track taken from the band’s recent album, commanded attention with its relentless bass riffs, before the band revisited a couple of their big hits starting off with Someone’s Looking At You.
Familiar tinkling piano sounds from the fingers of keyboard player Alan Dunn heralded the arrival of the dramatic I Don’t Like Mondays, written after Bob had seen a news report of a shooting at a San Diego school. Bob often uses the poignant silence after the line in the lyrics “The lesson today is how to die” to make an equally poignant statement, and tonight was no exception. In line with all his work helping victims of disasters and famines over the years, Bob bought to mind to remember all those suffering strife in various war-torn countries around the world.
A great audience participation song, with some colourful language from Bob included, Against The World was a sure crowd pleaser which got the crowd going with a to-ing and fro-ing from Bob at front of stage and the audience.
Bob showed no sign whatsoever of tiring, and come to that neither did the crowd, as more hit singles were skilfully replayed, with She’s So Modern ensuring a resurgence of dancing from many there. Ahead of playing Banana Republic, Bob made reference of how the band had been banned from playing in Ireland after his denunciation on live TV of “nationalism, medieval minded clerics and corrupt politicians in Ireland”, and how he wrote the song as a response to the ban.
The gig was nearing its conclusion now; it was looking unlikely that there’d be an encore as I’d been informed that the curfew was set for 10.50pm.
However, there was still time for a couple more as I glanced at my watch. Diamond Smiles proved to be the penultimate number before the band said their goodbyes after playing the final song which was The Boomtown Rats.
It was clear that this was the end as the lights went up; I made a dash to the front to try and grab a setlist. Although I was unlucky in my quest, a luckier person than myself very kindly let me take a photo of theirs.
Fifty years on, The Boomtown Rats still sound as good as they ever did. Nottingham was surely blessed tonight with such an unforgettable performance.
The Boomtown Rats performed at the Royal Concert Hall on 10th October 2025, with support from The Horn.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
