Germany

suss · In the Long Grass

Germany

Wes[Wolverhampton] · House on Fire

Suss--We had a great weekend.Loved every minute.Belgium is on the cards at the minute.Dropped Garry off at home once in England and he couldnt speak highly enough of how much they appreciated our support.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

Glad you two had a good time and that the band went down well in Europe. Maybe it's a market they could tap a bit more- certainly the crowds always seem to turn out, of course the Rats being usually part of a festival lineout. Most of Northern Europe is English speaking so the band playing in Scandanavia, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, etc seems a good choice.

The might have broken into Never In A Millionl Years and sang Can't see the trees for the wood/ or maybe yes I could....

That Belguim gig is in Hartels, which is twenty miles east of Antwerp, if anybody wishes to stock up on diamonds beforehand.

BTR · Tonight

I'm glad that it all went well. At the last moment, I went to book a flight to Berlin. As I was doing so, the other-half said I'd better check my passport. I found my passport and the date had expired. Oh well.

Belgium should be good.

-- Edited by BTR on Monday 25th of July 2011 03:32:23 PM

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
..., with at least 2000-2500 assembled
... yet somehow there were at least 1500 there, who were well up for it
If only UK crowds would turn up in such numbers and let their hair down the same way...band clearly loved it as much as the audience. Well worth the trip.

I assume these are festival apperances, but were The Rats headlining? Interesting to hear of those sorts of crowds. Geldof also seems to sell well in Germany but not in the UK.

suss · In the Long Grass

They were both festivals, but Rats weren't headliners at either.

First on bill at Berlin ahead of Hello, The Rattles, The Lords and Sweet. Didn't stay for Sweet but have to assume crowds were driven by them, but even so they genuinely responded to Rats.

Ahmsen was same promoter, so Hello and Rattles also after Rats, with Harpo opening the night before Rats. Graveyard shift went to Equals (not with Eddy Grant) who were due on at 11.50.

With exception of Sweet possibly I can't really see anyone else who would pull in thousands, although Lords have been playing for nigh on 50 years in Germany I was informed.

I think the comment stands that crowds are just more enthusiastic there, and seem to love their live music regardless. Must do if that many show up for Bob biggrin

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
They were both festivals, but Rats weren't headliners at either.
First on bill at Berlin ahead of Hello, The Rattles, The Lords and Sweet. Didn't stay for Sweet but have to assume crowds were driven by them, but even so they genuinely responded to Rats.
Ahmsen was same promoter, so Hello and Rattles also after Rats, with Harpo opening the night before Rats. Graveyard shift went to Equals (not with Eddy Grant) who were due on at 11.50.
With exception of Sweet possibly I can't really see anyone else who would pull in thousands, although Lords have been playing for nigh on 50 years in Germany I was informed.
I think the comment stands that crowds are just more enthusiastic there, and seem to love their live music regardless. Must do if that many show up for Bob

Ah shame you didn't stay for The Sweet. Would have been interesting to know if they are any good. The Sweet are still very popular in Germany. Released a single there last week.

Hard to get UK crowds too enthused for bands other than headliners. I saw Horrors at wireless the other week and despite been very good people were just chatting away ignoring them. The Hives whipped it up a bit, but it was back to the chat for TV on the Radio and Grace Jones (though for them it was justifiable). And then it went crazy when Pulp came on.

Nice to see the Rats got a good reception.

PS suss, they must think you are a stalker! How many gigs have you been to in last year? You seem to have been at all of them.

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

suss wrote:
I think the comment stands that crowds are just more enthusiastic there, and seem to love their live music regardless. Must do if that many show up for Bob

I think I for one could be very very enthusiastic - but difficult when all the gigs at the moment are overseas ........though if they played the Isle of Wight would endeavour to cross the water!

suss · In the Long Grass

ArrGee wrote:
Ah shame you didn't stay for The Sweet. Would have been interesting to know if they are any good.
PS suss, they must think you are a stalker! How many gigs have you been to in last year? You seem to have been at all of them.

Would like to have stayed on for Sweet but the option of a couple of drinks with the Rats was one not to miss. Obviously not considered a dangerous stalker. They do check your forearms for any signs of self-carved scars with the words Boomtown Rats though - apparently that is the sign of a true stalker.

suss · In the Long Grass

p.s. I'm trying to keep up a run of attendance that goes back to last May...not sure how many gigs that is but around 15 maybe? Think there were a couple in Europe last summer I missed though.

Far more entertaining than previous obsession with following Palace up and down the land..and probably cheaper. Crowds are about the same size though smile ...well in UK at least. Palace have never played in Europe - thought I'd get that in before anyone else did.

Might also change my username to OCD....

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

Yeah, yeah, yeah - Self-carved scars have long gone actually, just replaced by invisible scarring from unjust insults! However, if you want some of your own, would be happy to oblige - just off to sharpen some glass to make it easier .........

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

PS You missed the gig in Reepham last August too - now that was the absolute best! Just normal people - no stalkers there.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
Far more entertaining than previous obsession with following Palace up and down the land..and probably cheaper. Crowds are about the same size though ...well in UK at least.

I used to follow Arsenal here there & everywhere Europe included. But since that fateful day in 2006 when they closed down Highbury I have lost the desire. My wife is amazed that I barely seem to care these days. I haven't put all the fixtures up on the calendar like i used to.

However, I have to confess to re-discovering Pulp which meant an early return from vacation to ensure I was back for 31st August.

However not seen them 15 times in my life. Possibly a dozen over 20 years.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Lisa wrote:
........though if they played the Isle of Wight would endeavour to cross the water!

For some reason, I have never worried about travelling too far to see any band as I figure they will turn up in London at some point. I think Whyteleafe is the furthest I have travelled for a gig.

I did see Happy Mondays in Amsterdam when I lived there and had tickets for Bowie in Paris when I lived there. Sadly I got the sack a few weeks before he played so wasn't in France to see him.

But on the whole, I struggle to think of any real travel to see a gig. I'm always able to get home at the end of the night. Well, I always could get home, but sometimes I just don't quite make it.

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

Well if they played Southampton I wouldn't have to travel too far (or even cross any water) ....ok so if everybody can register how enthusiastic a crowd they would be if they were to play there, then we can put some pressure on and hey presto, a local gig for me

It's even easy to travel there by train from London ...........Watch this space?

Wes[Wolverhampton] · House on Fire

I havent missed too many either with this lineup including the first at East Prawl and the Germany gigs.Long may it continue.I have also seen Jiggerypipery loads of times as well.Not a competition though.Lets see some more of you out there.

suss · In the Long Grass

Lisa wrote:
PS You missed the gig in Reepham last August too - now that was the absolute best! Just normal people - no stalkers there.

Oh yeah...forgot about that one. Was on holiday so was never an option. Might have known that would be the best one...strange that!

Guess my run starts from Whyteleafe then. Have definitely seen this line up more than original one, which I guess was no more than 10 times now I think back, and the furthest I went for them was probably Leicester. Like ArrGee, used to rely on London, or occasionally south coast ones.

Would echo Wes' comment. Not trying to prove anything...just really enjoying what they're doing, and fact it's on a smaller scale and there's chance to meet other fans and band just makes it feel more of a connection than in say 1979, or even 1985, when there were still hundreds if not thousands.

That said, I'd love the momentum and crowds to build again. Anyone on here been and would confess to being disappointed?? Would love to know why if so.

ArrGee1991 · Dave

suss wrote:
...just really enjoying what they're doing, and fact it's on a smaller scale and there's chance to meet other fans and band just makes it feel more of a connection than in say 1979, or even 1985, when there were still hundreds if not thousands.

I agree. The real up side is seeing the reds of their eyes, and even getting to meet the band in a fairly informal manner post-gig. Back in 1980 I did get right to the front at Hammersmith Odeon, and it was probably one of the best gigs I'd ever been to, but their return to the legendary 100 Club was something else.

Still hoping to see them at a festival, but it will probably be next year unless they are late replacements for Nine Below Zero at St. Albans.

The only UK date is in November at Brean Sands, and scarily I seem to have become a member of the band along with BTR and Wes. Nice to see Gerry Cott's gonna be there to help us out. We'd better get practising. Maybe this is a bit too much of a connection.

http://www.yesterdayoncemore.co.uk/seventies/70sNOV2011.php

ArrGee1991 · Dave

suss wrote:
... and the furthest I went for them was probably Leicester.

I think the furthest I have ever gone for a gig (bar Whyteleafe) is Wembley. I used to get free tickets/passes as my uncle worked there, but to be honest it wasn't a proper gig as there wouldn't be pubs to go to beforehand and you'd often just end up sitting there. That said the first gig I saw there was Wings and we went to backstage bash. I was 14 and my sister 13 and it was pretty cool being backstage with the band and celebrities sipping wine!

Wes[Wolverhampton] · House on Fire

Famous at last lads--i'd better get the dust off my bass and get practising

suss · In the Long Grass

You guys should definitely get in touch with promoters to ask for copies of posters before they get corrected, assuming they do of course. Not sure if PB and Darren would be overly bothered but Gerry might, as might fans buying tickets expecting possibly to see Gerry.

That poster must be the ultimate for a fan to have whether it's right or not.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Wes[Wolverhampton] wrote:
Famous at last lads--i'd better get the dust off my bass and get practising

Guess I'll have to sing then if you're playing bass. Not sure a third guitarist would be needed. Isn't BTR a keyboard wiz?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
You guys should definitely get in touch with promoters to ask for copies of posters before they get corrected, assuming they do of course. Not sure if PB and Darren would be overly bothered but Gerry might, as might fans buying tickets expecting possibly to see Gerry.
That poster must be the ultimate for a fan to have whether it's right or not.

mmm, you haven't considered that fans would want to see Wes, BTR and myself. Pah!

If it was just the Rats then a poster like that would be a must have. Must admit I only wanted to check where Brean Sands was when I looked this up. Quite strange that they lifted that picture off my blog rather than get a proper publicity picture.

http://theboomtownrats.blogspot.com/2008/08/100-club.html

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

It all reminds me of this interloper....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Power

BTR · Tonight

Arrgee, I'm pretty sure that I asked for that photo to be removed from your blog. Oh well. LOL.

I always wanted to be the lead singer. I can't sing so I should be perfect for the job.

That's my brother Pete in the middle of the pic. He pulled a funny face - although I think he always looks like that. As youngsters, Pete used to play the piano dressed in his pyjamas as Fingers, whilst I sang into a hairbrush.

Bizarrely, later that night after the photo was taken, my brother and I went to a pub in Deptford (I think). They had a stage in the pub and I Don't Like Mondays came on... so I got up and sang it. First time I had ever sung in front of an audience.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

BTR wrote:
Arrgee, I'm pretty sure that I asked for that photo to be removed from your blog. Oh well. LOL.

No, you never did. To quote you....

BTR wrote in http://boomtownrats.activeboard.com/t19686333/100-club/ :
Doh! I paid Wes a fortune to make sure that photo would never be seen!

Blame Wes, he sent me the photo wink

-- Edited by ArrGee on Tuesday 26th of July 2011 01:44:41 PM

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Lisa wrote:
suss wrote:
I think the comment stands that crowds are just more enthusiastic there, and seem to love their live music regardless. Must do if that many show up for Bob
I think I for one could be very very enthusiastic - but difficult when all the gigs at the moment are overseas ........though if they played the Isle of Wight would endeavour to cross the water!

That's funny. Especially as you did pop over to the Isle of Wight.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

ArrGee1991 wrote:
suss wrote:
... and the furthest I went for them was probably Leicester.
I think the furthest I have ever gone for a gig (bar Whyteleafe) is Wembley. I used to get free tickets/passes as my uncle worked there, but to be honest it wasn't a proper gig as there wouldn't be pubs to go to beforehand and you'd often just end up sitting there. That said the first gig I saw there was Wings and we went to backstage bash. I was 14 and my sister 13 and it was pretty cool being backstage with the band and celebrities sipping wine!

This is also interesting. You've travelled across the water too, out of of UK.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:
ArrGee1991 wrote:
suss wrote:
... and the furthest I went for them was probably Leicester.
I think the furthest I have ever gone for a gig (bar Whyteleafe) is Wembley. I used to get free tickets/passes as my uncle worked there, but to be honest it wasn't a proper gig as there wouldn't be pubs to go to beforehand and you'd often just end up sitting there. That said the first gig I saw there was Wings and we went to backstage bash. I was 14 and my sister 13 and it was pretty cool being backstage with the band and celebrities sipping wine!
This is also interesting. You've travelled across the water too, out of of UK.

Yep, dedication!

Though to be honest neither trip to Ireland was too expensive thanks to Ryanair's cheap flights, someone generously giving me a free ticket to the Marquee gig and suss kindly sharing a hotel room in Dublin. Ironically, the London Forum gig was probably more costly thanks to a friend not coming along and only getting a fiver for his ticket.

suss · In the Long Grass

suss wrote:
We then left an arena that looking out over runways etc was about the size of the Isle of Wight for one that highly trained orienteers would have struggled to find, tucked away in the middle or a forest (I kid you not) not too far from Dutch border. In amongst the trees about a mile off nearest road (and that was a rural lane) was a huge permanent amphitheatre which obviously was more used to housing plays or perhaps renenactments of Little Red Riding Hood as there was a small 'village' scene painted on wooden hoardings behind the temp stage set up. All very bizarre.
Even more bizarre was fact that nearest village was about 2 miles away with 100 houses tops, nearest big town was off the map, yet somehow there were at least 1500 there, who were well up for it and raised the roof when Mondays started up. Maybe they live in those woods...

Decided to 'revisit' the Ahmsen venue via the wonders of t'interweb.

Aerial views follow....the venue is the little white triangle in the densely wooded area. Hopefully puts description above into some context