Cancelled Concerts

Joke · The Dutch One

Cancelled Concerts

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

RE: London cancelled

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

Yes I see on the website, and I got my tickets today

That's bad luck for you and MJ who is flying over from Canada.

So third concert cancelled on me. What is going on? I feel really disappointed and let down by this and wonder if I can trust buying tickets for Geldof gigs again.

I just don't know what to think...

kidneybean · House on Fire

Just what is going on?

My chances of seeing Bob at Vicar Street are very slim I think........

Are there to be any gigs apart from Cardiff and Peterborough?

MJ · Tonight

Disappointed doesn't even begin to describe it for us. We're trying to keep our spirit up with the thought that we'll still have a nice vacation with good friends, but we're finding that many of the attractions that interested us are closed in the winter, so we're spending an obscene amount of money to miss the things we like.

I know this is the last time I do something so stupid.

And once again, the information comes from an outside source first. I guess I'll wait for the "official" announcement to give up hope entirely :(

Joke · The Dutch One

MJ, maybe we can meet up in London and wander around the cold & wet streets together I've never been to London before, so I guess there will be enough for me to look forward to.

Now I'll just wait 'till Bob does a gig in Holland or maybe Germany

Tango · In the Long Grass

every time i see another cancellation my gut clenches.hull is only next thursday and i really dont want it to be cancelled

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

It is really sad that so many concerts has to be canceled.

o and Welcome to the forum Joke!

Tango · In the Long Grass

yeah welcome dude

Katharina · Dave

MJ and Steve, I feel so sorry! I can understand how you feel, as gigs have been cancelled I wanted to go to, though I was never going to travel this far. It makes it even worse.

Don't let it spoil your holiday! (I know it will, but still...) Do all the great things instead, and get the spirit of London. It's a great and fascinating place, just try and make the best of it.

Tango · In the Long Grass

you could always make it into some kind of whirlwind tour of the UK cos manchester and edinburgh are much cooler than london.hopefully you'll still have a good time despite missing out on bob

Katharina · Dave

Joke wrote:

MJ, maybe we can meet up in London and wander around the cold & wet streets together I've never been to London before, so I guess there will be enough for me to look forward to. Now I'll just wait 'till Bob does a gig in Holland or maybe Germany

Hi Joke, welcome to the forum - you've picket a sad enough topic to start with!

Have you been to any other shows in the past? I've been to The Hague in '03 and Amsterdam some time in the nineties. Where you there too? Oh and of course in Knokke-Heist (Belgium)!

Well I'm keeping fingers crossed for some Germany shows as well (I live in Berlin), hopefully open air, in the summer..? Someone suggest that to Bob!

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

Maybe Bob will start to play in smaller places like a pub.

(I saw an Irish band in a pub in Killarney and the athmosphere was better than in a bigger stadium or theatre.)

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

I'm sorry Joke, in my disappointment I didn't welcome you. I'm sorry that this is your introduction to this site. Not a good one

What does 'postponed' mean - we keep our tickets for a later date or we get a refund and try again? Presumably the later. Postponed until when for and what's the likelihood of it being cancelled again.

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

Well where I live "postpone" usually a gentle way to tell that it is cancelled.

Katharina · Dave

rekamakovics wrote:

Well where I live "postpone" usually a gentle way to tell that it is cancelled.

Well it says both really:

12-Dec-05: Shepherds Bush Empire
BOB GELDOF

This show has been postponed. We are awaiting the rescheduled date. Original tickets will remain valid.

7pm - 11pm

CANCELLED

http://www.shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk/pages/listings.cfm

Sounds much like "cancelled" to me.

Rita · House on Fire

What a disappointment and even more so for MJ and Steve. Don't worry, we'll make sure you have a great time in the UK despite not seeing Bob.

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

Well I'd rather not have my tickets and have better ones if he did reschedule

Guess I'll have to phone up and enquire as to what to do.

Joke · The Dutch One

Hi Katharina, I think I've seen you in The Hague in 2003 and before that in Amsterdam (1990). Amsterdam was my first Bob gig, after that I've seen him in Utrecht (1991), The Hague (1996), The Hague (2003), Hannover and Duisburg (both in 2004). You see, I go to every gig within a 350 km radius! I don't no any other Dutch fans, I usually go by myself, so I can hang around afterwards for a chance to meet Bob. (That happened only once though.)

Indeed, not a nice topic for my first post... I have been reading this forum for a long time and today I HAD to write something, to share the disappointment with you guys... It helps, I feel a little better now

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

I just spoke to someone at Ticketweb.

It looks as though it will be rescheduled to an alternative date, although she couldn't guarantee it. She said hang on to your tickets and they would be valid on the new date. I'd rather swap with someone with better seats, who can't make it as my seats are a bit naff.

The advice was to sit tight for the time being. I don't suppose for one minute it would be rescheduled during MJ and Steve's week here, that would be too good to be true.

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

I saw your Geldof concert photos on www.happyfanclub.it they are great.

Katharina · Dave

Joke wrote:

Hi Katharina, I think I've seen you in The Hague in 2003 and before that in Amsterdam (1990). Amsterdam was my first Bob gig, after that I've seen him in Utrecht (1991), The Hague (1996), The Hague (2003), Hannover and Duisburg (both in 2004). You see, I go to every gig within a 350 km radius! I don't no any other Dutch fans, I usually go by myself, so I can hang around afterwards for a chance to meet Bob. (That happened only once though.) Indeed, not a nice topic for my first post... I have been reading this forum for a long time and today I HAD to write something, to share the disappointment with you guys... It helps, I feel a little better now

Hi Joke, you may well have seen us in Den Haag in 2003, as we (my friend and I) were dancing quite "visibly" in front of the stage. Towards the end of the show, more people joined us - you?

I was in Hannover in 2004 but not in Duisburg. My friend may have been there (not sure now), so you might have seen her there. We used to be a group of four, now it's always the two of us.

A 350 km radius - where do you live? If you don't want to write that here you can send me a pm if you like.

Cheers, K.

Joke · The Dutch One

Postponed, cancelled... I will miss it for sure. Anyone interested in buying a pair of tickets for a gig that might happen sometime, somewhere in London? Good seats, row D seat 8 + 9 or something. I'll give you a friend's price

Seriously, I don't think I will even get a refund, as the small print on the tickets says "no refund - subject to changes in date or place" or something.

Katharina, I live in Nijmegen, just across the German border. Actually I was only joking about Bob playing in Germany or even Holland... If he doesn't sell any tickets in the UK, he definitely won't sell them over here... Well, just keep our hopes up for the festival season. The last gig I saw was a free open-air festival, so there were quite a lot of people, hardly any real Geldof fans, but the atmosphere was OK. It was maybe the best one I've seen, Bob played a lot of Rats requests including mine (Joey's on the street again).

Was I in front of the stage...? I'm proud to say that I'm ALWAYS right in front of the stage whenever Bob's on it... I never experienced an "all-seated" gig, I wouldn't have liked that.

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

Joke

You will get a refund because it is their fault that it is cancelled/postponed. Hang on though for now because you maybe able to make the alternative date. Assuming that doesn't get ..... CANCELLED

Kaz · Someone's Looking At You

I've just been on the happyfanclub website and the gig is listed as cancelled?

Joke · The Dutch One

Jules, thank you for your kind words, but I travel back to Holland on the 13th...

Steven · I Don't Like Mondays

Jules wrote:

I just spoke to someone at Ticketweb.

She said hang on to your tickets and they would be valid on the new date.

Pardon me if I'm not quite as diplomatic as most:

What a joke! Hold on to our tickets? Yeah right. Like we'll just zip over for the weekend in march? Oh, maybe someone in the higher-ups will fly us over and put us up in a hotel for our trouble? Yeah right. Anyone find it just a bit of a coincidence that if you were to try and book tickets for that show as recently as on the weekend, you could have gotten 5th row??? Ahh... now we're getting to the bottom of things..

Anyhow, we're looking forward to seeing the sights of London and the surroundings, plus meeting some of you all. I'm still trying to convince myself that I'll be able to drive on the WRONG side of the road, on the WRONG side of the car, and if we get a manual transmission, shift on the WRONG side of ME..

Steve the ex BG Fan-in-Law

-- Edited by Steven at 22:03, 2005-11-22

Rita · House on Fire

Joke, you would almost certainly get a refund if you can't make the re-scheduled date. That's what I've seen in the past

Oh and Steve it is you who drives on the wrong side of the road, lol!!

-- Edited by Rita at 22:16, 2005-11-22

Steven · I Don't Like Mondays

Rita wrote:

Oh and Steve it is you who drives on the wrong side of the road, lol!! -- Edited by Rita at 22:16, 2005-11-22

I think I'll practice on the Autoroute here... over on the other side of the road, maybe backing up looking through my rear-view mirror... It'd work I think

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:

I just spoke to someone at Ticketweb. It looks as though it will be rescheduled to an alternative date, although she couldn't guarantee it. She said hang on to your tickets and they would be valid on the new date. I'd rather swap with someone with better seats, who can't make it as my seats are a bit naff. The advice was to sit tight for the time being. I don't suppose for one minute it would be rescheduled during MJ and Steve's week here, that would be too good to be true.

This show has been postponed. We are awaiting the rescheduled date. Original tickets will remain valid.

However, I suspect that if there is another London show then the venue will be different hence seats will change. And if people return tickets and get refunds, then it won't matter where the original seats were.

Plenty of other venues in London (like the Almedia on Sunday) that would be better, and probably available that week.

I don't know how many tickets were sold, but I think it would be wrong to not play at all. A lot of people have made arrangements to travel from far and wide.

-- Edited by ArrGee at 23:01, 2005-11-22

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Steven wrote:

Steve the ex BG Fan-in-Law

Ah, a bit much to divorce MJ over this

MJ · Tonight

ArrGee wrote:

This show has been postponed. We are awaiting the rescheduled date. Original tickets will remain valid. However, I suspect that if there is another London show then the venue will be different hence seats will change. And if people return tickets and get refunds, then it won't matter where the original seats were. Plenty of other venues in London (like the Almedia on Sunday) that would be better, and probably available that week. I don't know how many tickets were sold, but I think it would be wrong to not play at all. A lot of people have made arrangements to travel from far and wide.

If the show is in fact postponed and not cancelled (and I don't know why they would say that if there wasn't a willingness to reschedule) I doubt it would be in another venue. If it was, Shepherds Bush Empire would not talk about postponing. Why would they advertise for a competitor? I agree that not playing is wrong though :(

Here's the information to get your ticket refunded if you bought though TicketWeb.

-- Edited by MJ at 00:15, 2005-11-23

MMbullybuddyGP · Drag Me Down

Welcome, Joke. So how long have you been checking us out over here...? heh

and the concerts, what the heck?? I can't even imagine all the disappointed fans out there affected by these continuing cancellations. Some concrete explanations would be nice...and no more cancellations...

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

MJ wrote:

If the show is in fact postponed and not cancelled (and I don't know why they would say that if there wasn't a willingness to reschedule) I doubt it would be in another venue. If it was, Shepherds Bush Empire would not talk about postponing. Why would they advertise for a competitor? I agree that not playing is wrong though :( Here's the information to get your ticket refunded if you bought though TicketWeb.

The Shepherds Bush Empire is part of the Academy Music Group which by and large run all the Carling Academys in the UK. These have a wide range of sizes. It is quite possible that a gig postponed at Shepherds Bush (cap 2000) could transfer to the smaller Islington Academy (cap 800) Islington Academy .

Interestingly, the Islington Academy is available on the 12th December (though Nigel 'Dodgy' Clarke is in the even smaller Bar Academy the same night). It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the postponement is a potential transfer.

Ultimately, I just don't see a rescheduled concert at Shepherds Bush Empire. From the looks of it on ticket web about 200 tickets or so were sold. Islington is a more central and trendier location, Geldof played Union Chapel (cap 500) there last time, and that sold well. Us 40-somethings like to go out to places with nice restaurants

Steve · I Don't Like Mondays

As I mentioned on another Thread, the botton line is that Bob Geldof cannot fill 2000 seater venues. We love him, but to the outside world he is not musically inviting and hasn't been fo sometime. I would say that he has more of a cult audience these days. I would have definetly booked smaller venues....300 to 500 max. At least he would have filled those and the atmosphere would have been better than a half full venue.

So blame the promoter.

I feel sorry for those flying in. London is still a great place to see in December.

MJ · Tonight

Steve wrote:

...I would say that he has more of a cult audience these days. I would have definetly booked smaller venues....300 to 500 max. At least he would have filled those and the atmosphere would have been better than a half full venue. So blame the promoter. I feel sorry for those flying in. London is still a great place to see in December.

Yep, and he's slowly and surely alienating the few who stuck around with those cancellations. I don't expect much form an artist, really; I'll be thrilled if I get a meeting after a show, or an authograph, but I'll never complain if I don't. However when I buy a ticket to a show, I consider it a contract. I give you my money, and in return you sing for me. I understand that there are situations like sickness or death that can't be controled, but if the issue is bad planning or lack of publicity, then I become much less understanding.

Joke · The Dutch One

ArrGee wrote:

It is quite possible that a gig postponed at Shepherds Bush (cap 2000) could transfer to the smaller Islington Academy (cap 800) Islington Academy . Interestingly, the Islington Academy is available on the 12th December (though Nigel 'Dodgy' Clarke is in the even smaller Bar Academy the same night). It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the postponement is a potential transfer.

Can somebody please tell Bob that there are a lot of real fans very disappointed about the cancellation, and that a transfer to a smaller venue on the same night is a GREAT idea?!

ArrGee, you've given me a little hope now...

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Joke wrote:

Can somebody please tell Bob that there are a lot of real fans very disappointed about the cancellation, and that a transfer to a smaller venue on the same night is a GREAT idea?! ArrGee, you've given me a little hope now...

Don't bank on it! It would require some goodwill on the part of Geldof to do it. Financially, it would make little sense. 400 people @ £25 would gross £10,000, but once you consider the staging costs..... (I guess the venue keeps the bar money)

Steve wrote:

So blame the promoter

Bit harsh! I suspect there was a lot of input into the decision, not least from Geldof himself. However given Geldof was playing venues like Bloomsbury Theatre and Union Chapel most recently, it seemed very optimistic to go for Shepherds Bush. Also, his last tour was far more high profile given that it accompanied the release of The Best of, a Jonathan Ross TV interview and a front page on Big Issue. So if anything he should have gone for slightly smaller venues. But that means less ca$h.

MJ wrote:

Yep, and he's slowly and surely alienating the few who stuck around with those cancellations....when I buy a ticket to a show, I consider it a contract. I give you my money, and in return you sing for me. I understand that there are situations like sickness or death that can't be controled, but if the issue is bad planning or lack of publicity, then I become much less understanding

Likewise, if I buy a ticket they play! Luckily I have never had a concert cancelled on me. I know the ticket sales have been poor, but dare I say it, Geldof isn't going to make any more money with his music. He's not a charity, but....

"And I do it because I love it. It's second nature – I feel most Bob Geldof on stage"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2003/11/29/bmbob30.xml

Katharina · Dave

Joke wrote:

Katharina, I live in Nijmegen, just across the German border.

Nijmegen - never been there sadly! I always enjoy being in the Netherlands. I like the people, plus you get great clothes there!

Actually I was only joking about Bob playing in Germany or even Holland... If he doesn't sell any tickets in the UK, he definitely won't sell them over here...

I'm not so sure! I think Bob has always been quite popular in Germany and played several festivals here over the years, even when he wasn't playing much else (at least I think). But maybe you're right, as the last Germany tour (four or five dates in late 2003) was cancelled too...

Well, just keep our hopes up for the festival season. The last gig I saw was a free open-air festival, so there were quite a lot of people, hardly any real Geldof fans, but the atmosphere was OK. It was maybe the best one I've seen, Bob played a lot of Rats requests including mine (Joey's on the street again).

Where was that?

Was I in front of the stage...? I'm proud to say that I'm ALWAYS right in front of the stage whenever Bob's on it... I never experienced an "all-seated" gig, I wouldn't have liked that.

LOL! Good attitude! I'm much the same, though while I was ALWAYS in the front row in the nineties, I'd be in the fifth or sixth these days... I'm sure we must have seen each other at some point - who are you Joke? Lol.

I've been to a handful of all-seated gigs, and to be honest, I absolutely prefer the stand-up ones (whatever it's called).

Wherever and whenever it's going to be, I hope there will be a show you can go to soon!

In fact, I hope there will be LOADS of shows on all five continents so we can ALL go!

*dreamon*

MJ · Tonight

ArrGee wrote:

I know the ticket sales have been poor, but dare I say it, Geldof isn't going to make any more money with his music. He's not a charity, but.... "And I do it because I love it. It's second nature – I feel most Bob Geldof on stage"

I think many fans have proved that they are willing to go the extra mile (quite literally in my case) to encourage Geldof to do what he loves. Oh I'm not selfless, I do it for me too, but I will make the effort to travel and pay a little more to see and hear Bob and the band playing. In return I'm hoping he loves it enough to do it even if it doesn't make him a ton of money.

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

I came on to say some more about this, but it seems most of it has already been said. Obviously I am not at all alone in my feelings of dispair, disappointment and confusion.

It is clear how much all of us respect Bob, his band and his management team for his music (as well as many other things). As well as being happy to go out of our way travel some distance and in some cases travel abroad great distances, we also change our plans and reorganise our lives. As MJ says this isn't selfless we want to enjoy Bob's music live. Many of us have been loyal fans for a number of years. Indeed, I have followed the Rats/Bob for 28 years now.

It would seem to me, therefore, that some of this respect is reciprocated in a something of a better explanation.

Of course, we would understand if there has been some personal crisis within the band, and would ask no further questions, respect it and move on. Although, I've said this before, the cancellations seem a little random for something like this. Why hasn't the whole tour been called off, if this is the case? If it is entirely down to low ticket sales, it is obvious that there has not been enough publicity. When was the last time you heard a Bob solo track on the radio? It was quite a few years ago for me. When I tell people I'm going to see Bob in concert, some say 'oh does he still sing?, so what sort of music does he play now'...

On a less serious note - Joke I love your avatar, is that your cat?

so cute...

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

some hope for optimism?

http://www.bobgeldof.info/Appearances/tour.html

This show has been postponed until further notice. An announcement will be made in the next few days for those who have bought tickets for this show

Katharina · Dave

MJ wrote:

I think many fans have proved that they are willing to go the extra mile (quite literally in my case) to encourage Geldof to do what he loves. Oh I'm not selfless, I do it for me too, but I will make the effort to travel and pay a little more to see and hear Bob and the band playing. In return I'm hoping he loves it enough to do it even if it doesn't make him a ton of money.

Very well put MJ, that's how I feel about it too.

Joke · The Dutch One

Jules wrote:

On a less serious note - Joke I love your avatar, is that your cat? so cute...

I just found out how to make my avatar a little bigger. It's my cat and her name is Poes ("Puss") but she doesn't seem to mind

rekamakovics · In the Long Grass

wow its really cute

Joke · The Dutch One

MMbullybuddyGP wrote:

So how long have you been checking us out over here...? heh

Long enough to know that I will never beat Jules as the no.1 poster

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

Well that could have been last week or last year

Lady_Zylpha · Diamond Smiles

Jules wrote:

If it is entirely down to low ticket sales, it is obvious that there has not been enough publicity. When was the last time you heard a Bob solo track on the radio? It was quite a few years ago for me. When I tell people I'm going to see Bob in concert, some say 'oh does he still sing?, so what sort of music does he play now'...

It must be really hard for him. He always says how much he loves his music and how much it saddens him that he gave it "second priority" in his life to follow his humanitarian call to help save those disadvantaged in our hypocritical world. I've never had the honour of attending a Geldof Rat concert. I was only 11 when his first album was released and mysteriously was passed on to me by a neighbour. It stayed on my wall (the album sleeve, not the vinyl) as the only pin up I ever really had. But the music I grew up with, and we often re-mixed and enjoyed his influence in our 80's revivals. But I agree with you Jules, I re-visited Geldof many years later through that Pale White Girls album and was really taken by the way he has matured musically, his integration with poetry and the track mixes he uses. I was surprised, because I never heard any air play at all apart from when visiting the country I grew up in New Zealand who haven't quite left the 70-80's musically yet... I was really struck by the fact that he could have really made the transition into subsequent generations just as Bono did, but he went in another direction. And I sometimes wonder if it is because (he keeps saying this) he thinks he's not good enough musically? Low ticket sales must reinforce this kind of belief, but I think he just never has time to spend on himself, chill out and work deeply on his own creative force - something very necessary if you want to be a musical artist as a profession. I can only imagine how sad he must be feeling at not being able to perform with his mates the Indifferents, and mix with the people he loves (his fans) for appreciating him in his music, personal expression - if not for illness or family crisis, then probably because some political power demands a greater slice of his time.

MissJessica · Mary of the 4th Form

This is ridiculous!

Just as we'd persuaded my Dad to drive us up to London for it..why the devil did we bother!?

Good job we hadn't booked tickets already. Hmmf.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:

If it is entirely down to low ticket sales, it is obvious that there has not been enough publicity. When was the last time you heard a Bob solo track on the radio? It was quite a few years ago for me.

I haven't heard the Rats on the radio either. But then I do listen to XFM. Someone once did request Mary of the 4th Form (school related song day), but it wasn't played. As for hearing a Geldof solo song, there's only one, and the only day they are ever likely to play that is March 17th.

Lady Zylpha wrote:

It must be really hard for him. He always says how much he loves his music and how much it saddens him that he gave it "second priority" in his life to follow his humanitarian call to help save those disadvantaged in our hypocritical world. I've never had the honour of attending a Geldof Rat concert.

And I sometimes wonder if it is because (he keeps saying this) he thinks he's not good enough musically? Low ticket sales must reinforce this kind of belief, but I think he just never has time to spend on himself, chill out and work deeply on his own creative force - something very necessary if you want to be a musical artist as a profession. I can only imagine how sad he must be feeling at not being able to perform with his mates the Indifferents, and mix with the people he loves (his fans) for appreciating him in his music, personal expression - if not for illness or family crisis, then probably because some political power demands a greater slice of his time.

Excepting this year, Geldof has had plenty of opportunity to make records. I don't even think it rates as a second priority in his life. At best, it's probably around fourth after his businesses, his family, his humanitarian work....

I see Geldof as a singer/songwriter of the top order when he puts his mind to it. In The Long Grass is the best proof of that. Since then, he has only released four albums in twenty years. Only on Vegetarians of Love and Sex, Age & Death has he hinted that he can still write great songs.

But that is not enough. I don't know how many albums peers like Sting and Elvis Costello have made but doubtless many many more. The low ticket sales are a consequence of this. Had Geldof made a few more albums down the years and had the odd hit here and there, then he might be of more interest as a musician. Now he is a curiosity.

It is to his credit he hasn't toured as The Boomtown Rats and done the holiday camp circuit, but with such a limited roster of songs from the last twenty years, that is probably all people would want from him. Geldof gets involved with a myriad of causes/activities, not all humanitarian, and could have spent some more time making music (XFM listeners would have wished that during his stint as a DJ!).

Geldof's self-depreciating tendancy doesn't help. His voice is unique, yet he worries about Bono (one song TM) singing him off the stage; his writing is intelligent and the music creatively arranged. No other new wave band would have dared to have made a record like I Don't Like Mondays at that time. And Scream In Vain and $6,000,000 Loser were the sort of tracks that Sting/Bono could only dream of making.

-- Edited by ArrGee at 11:09, 2005-11-24

franna · V Deep

I can understand the disappointment, but why all the shock?

In recent years BG has cancelled many a date at the last minute, apparently due to poor ticket sales. From afar it seems as if someone got arrogant and overestimated the post-Live8 "bounce" in popularity and how long that bounce would last, so they booked venues which turned out to be too large.

No publicity, I've lived that before. It's not the first time.

NONE of this is new. They're lessons which still need to be learned.

Should he do the shows if he's going to lose money on the deal? Is he the sort of person who would do that? Are you worth it? So far, the answer to those questions seems to be NO, and I don't know too many performers for whom the answer would be yes.

ArrGee, why compare BG to Bono and Sting? What's your point? Bono could unquestionably sing BG off the stage if he wanted to, but Bono's too respectful to ever do such a thing to one of his idols. (In concert, Bono attempts to cover Pavarotti, and it works. He coudn't pull it off on an opera stage, but it works just fine at a rock show. BG couldn't dream of doing that, and that's fine. There's no reason he should need to.)

Both Sting and Bono have written songs BG could never dream of writing. They're three different people with different emotional landscapes and different views of the world. Their music is different. I like the way all three of them make music, so I own just about every record ever made by U2, Sting (solo) and BG (solo), and I've seen them all live (well, OK, I've seen significantly more of U2 live - but that's more about U2 than it is about Bono).

I'm sorry it upsets you that BG doesn't have the musical career his friends do, and it probably upsets BG quite a lot. But BG (at least the solo BG) writes quirky, relatively literal, intimate things. He's more of a folksinger and a journalist than a rock musician. People like BG have careers, but generally not ones played out in large venues. In the past, BG has seemed content to play those smaller venues, perhaps he will go back to that plan.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

franna wrote:

...

Should he do the shows if he's going to lose money on the deal? Is he the sort of person who would do that? Are you worth it? So far, the answer to those questions seems to be NO, and I don't know too many performers for whom the answer would be yes.

....

ArrGee, why compare BG to Bono and Sting? What's your point? Both Sting and Bono have written songs BG could never dream of writing.

...

But BG (at least the solo BG) writes quirky, relatively literal, intimate things. He's more of a folksinger and a journalist than a rock musician.

It's not about losing money, plenty of acts profit at small venues. Geldof is booked into large venues with high ticket prices to make lots of money. If it were simply about not losing money, he could play smaller venues that he would guarantee to sell out. The thing is he has more lucrative activities, so will he ever play at all unless he makes a large profit? As for are "we" worth it? Well, no!

The point I was making was about his self-depreciation. Geldof has a unique voice and makes (when he is wont) well crafted songs. But he bangs on about how unworthy he is in comparison to Bono & Sting.

He has been more of a businessman/humanitarian/journalist than a musician. He says, "[Music is] the only thing from which I derive satisfaction or a sense of achievement", yet for about twenty years now, it is the one thing he does not appear to devote much energy to.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/londonlife/articles/950860

franna · V Deep

ArrGee wrote:

It's not about losing money, plenty of acts profit at small venues. Geldof is booked into large venues with high ticket prices to make lots of money. If it were simply about not losing money, he could play smaller venues that he would guarantee to sell out. The thing is he has more lucrative activities, so will he ever play at all unless he makes a large profit? As for are "we" worth it? Well, no! The point I was making was about his self-depreciation. Geldof has a unique voice and makes (when he is wont) well crafted songs. But he bangs on about how unworthy he is in comparison to Bono & Sting. He has been more of a businessman/humanitarian/journalist than a musician. He says, "[Music is] the only thing from which I derive satisfaction or a sense of achievement", yet for about twenty years now, it is the one thing he does not appear to devote much energy to.

I completely agree on all counts.

Only thing is, I've heard it rumored that he thinks "why should I bother if tickets don't sell" - by which he means, I think, why bother playing if no one cares? I'm not sure how much of it is about the amount of profit, and how much is simply ego. But clearly, there are some emotional/financial issues BG has to work out in his own mind. In any case, it's not a conversation I've had with him personally, so what the f*ck do I know?

Edited to add: Now look what you've done! You've inspired me to put on some Sting.

-- Edited by franna at 16:32, 2005-11-24

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

I agree with much of what you both say, Fran and ArrGee. It was interesting to see your opinions.

If Bob wants to sell music to the 'masses' perhaps he needs to change direction. He does have the creative ability to produce music of different sounds, style and type. Wanting to achive what Bono has is clearly not within his grasp, but neither should he or anyone expect it to be. He could, however, produce music that people want to buy. If only he had at least a little airplay, maybe some people would want to buy the music he produces already? If no-one has heard of it they won't have a chance to make that decision for themselves.

Either way, whether he needs to change direction or keep in the same, he needs to be heard and he needs to put some effort into it himself. Or else we end up with the scenario that we have.

I still hope to get to see him again live. He puts on a fine performance. It is such a shame people are missing out.

franna · V Deep

Well, I just convinced a U2 fan in Dublin (who was undecided) to buy a ticket to BGs show. I'm doing my part to keep the tour alive.

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

Good work Fran. I assume that was for the Dublin gig. Can you get a few for the London one too? If it reappears!

They won't be disappointed.

franna · V Deep

Yes, it was for Dublin.

IF London reappears, I'll see what I can do. But I might insist on that slice of pizza as a payoff....and we all know how that's gonna go over!

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

Fran, guess I'll have to buy you that slice - I doubt if a certain other person would

You can have it delivered to your door. Eerr posted from the UK, might be a bit battered and slimey by the time you receive it. Does that bother you?

More on topic - it looks as though Leicester is selling OK. I tried to search for tix and it offered me balcony seats row E. Maybe there is some hope?

I'm not going to Leicester though

Kaz · Someone's Looking At You

Hi Jules, It's a real shame about London, I hope Leicester is O.K. is there no way you can make it? It's not a bad run up the M40. Kaz

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

Kaz

I wish I could. Looks as though I'd have hideous balcony seats and not be able to see anything though. I know Leicester a little as I have friends living there. It doesn't take long, but fingers crossed for you. If I could do it, I'd go to every single gig Bob ever did, regardless if it was repeated night after night with the same set list!

Things like work get in the way, as well as cancellations of course.

franna · V Deep

Just because it seems appropriate in some odd way - an excerpt I stumbled upon in Flea's blog:

(NOTE - apparently Flea is a basketball fanatic, the nba he refers to is the National Basketball Association)

There's No I in Flea
Meanwhile, in Europe ...
in all my nearly 23 years of touring the world with the red hot chili
peppers
i have always thought that it was something like being in the nba
playing night in and night out
putting out and intense quantity of physical and emotional and
intellectual energy night in and night out
being part of a team
giving my all
having to show up and do the gig and be professional and rock with all
my might
whether i felt like it or not
the one thing i learned over the years that kept me from collapsing
from exhaustion and staying on top of my game
was to realize the truth
it is not about me
it is about the team
it is about the fans
when someone stay in the spirit of giving
their energy is much greater
and they function at a higher level

that is my flea wisdom for the nba

it took me a lot of years of pain and exhaustion and frustration to
figure that out

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:

If Bob wants to sell music to the 'masses' perhaps he needs to change direction. He does have the creative ability to produce music of different sounds, style and type. He could, however, produce music that people want to buy. If only he had at least a little airplay, maybe some people would want to buy the music he produces already? If no-one has heard of it they won't have a chance to make that decision for themselves. Either way, whether he needs to change direction or keep in the same, he needs to be heard and he needs to put some effort into it himself. Or else we end up with the scenario that we have. I still hope to get to see him again live. He puts on a fine performance. It is such a shame people are missing out.

The thing is that Geldof is not very prolific, it could be another five years before he makes a record. I don't think he will get airplay no matter what. But then again does Sting, Julian Cope or Elvis Costello? Probably not, but all make records that get bought, even if just by their dwindling fan base (though arguably they have further to fall).

It's not about changing direction (Geldof has done plenty of that in his time), it's about making a few records. I didn't get Sex, Age & Death on its release (which was 10 years after Happy Club) and was only persuaded to some time later by Derek the Dane after an exchange on MJ's board. I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was (not a patch on the Rats stuff, but better than expected). And now it's almost three years since and there is no sign of new stuff.

It is quite likely that 30 years olds may only have ever heard I Don't Like Mondays and nothing else (a good reason to NOT play it on TV again).

Ultimately, four albums in 20 years isn't an impressive return.

franna · V Deep

Once again, I agree with ArrGee. Well, everything except the relative quality of the Rats material.

Derek The Dane · In the Long Grass

ArrGee,I am glad that you got Sex,Age and Death.For me it is as good as the Rats stuff,just 20 years on.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:

ArrGee,I am glad that you got Sex,Age and Death.For me it is as good as the Rats stuff,just 20 years on.

Given time I get just about everything. I will admit to picking up both Happy Club and Sex, Age & Death at knockdown prices. Most surprisingly, I appear to have all his singles in at least one format.

However, I think V Deep and Mondo Bongo are better than any Geldof solo album. In fact, I think the best solo effort post Rats was Gerry Cott's Ballard of the Lone Ranger (with Great Song of Indifference a close second). I even liked Play to Win by Gung~Ho (but the album is best avoided).

About time I wrote something Franna disagreed with again

franna · V Deep

*Yawn*

MJ · Tonight

Jules wrote:

... If Bob wants to sell music to the 'masses' perhaps he needs to change direction. He does have the creative ability to produce music of different sounds, style and type. Wanting to achive what Bono has is clearly not within his grasp, but neither should he or anyone expect it to be. He could, however, produce music that people want to buy. If only he had at least a little airplay, maybe some people would want to buy the music he produces already? If no-one has heard of it they won't have a chance to make that decision for themselves. Either way, whether he needs to change direction or keep in the same, he needs to be heard and he needs to put some effort into it himself. Or else we end up with the scenario that we have. I still hope to get to see him again live. He puts on a fine performance. It is such a shame people are missing out.

I agree with your assessment, but I wholeheartedly dissagree that Bob should change his music to appeal to the masses. The whole subject has been a huge dilemma for me all my life as a Rat fan and as a Geldof fan. On one hand, I soooo want him to be successful. I've taken every critic personally, I've bought every versions of everyone of his records throughout the years, I've raged at his music not being played commercially, I've tried to "convert" all my friends... But I do know that for Geldof to become a commercial success, he pretty much has to stop being Bob Geldof. And that's probably when I'll stop loving his music. For example, Bob's last forray into commercial hitdom was Crazy, which I feel was an abberation (sorry, I know some of you love it). More of the masses liked it, but I hated it. I mean, Kenny G. sells millions of albums; do we want another Kenny G.? Geldof is not at the same place he was 20 years ago after Live Aid. Back then he had a family to support and no steady source of income. Now he's got several successful businesses under his belt, and my perception is that if singing is what he really loves to do, he could afford to do it and have moderate success. Money's not everything, it doesn't buy happiness, and all that crap. The question again, is does he want to do it, and if so, why does it looks like he doesn't care?

As for comparing himself to Sting or Bono vocally, that's just silly. Sure, Sting has a pretty angel voice, but I got bored with it way back with Dream of the Blue Turtle. Millions of people think that Stevie Wonder has the greatest voice, but for me it's like nails on a chalkboard.

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

That was merely a thought that if Bob wanted to, not my opinion at all MJ. I like things the way they are, and wouldn't want him to change direction at all. Well not the low ticket sales, but I'm enjoying Bob's music as it is. I'm not sure why he wants to make big bucks from his music. He isn't going to. Maybe he should just accept that he makes money from his business interest and he enjoys the music, play to smaller numbers and let us enjoy the music. Those of us who want to. As ArrGee says, he just isn't going to get the airplay he deserves.

I agree with you about the comparisons. Bob is unique and shouldn't need to worry about what others are doing.

Katharina · Dave

MJ wrote:

The question again, is does he want to do it, and if so, why does it looks like he doesn't care?

I agree with you MJ. That really sums up how I feel about all this.

franna · V Deep

MJ wrote: The question again, is does he want to do it, and if so, why does it looks like he doesn't care?

Katharina wrote: I agree with you MJ. That really sums up how I feel about all this.

What's funny is that I seem to remember saying a variation of that after the NYC S/A/D show....how many years ago was that?

I would not want BG to change for the sake of trying to reach a wider public. First, selfishly, because I doubt I'd like the result; and secondly, because I doubt that tactic would succeed.

Other random thoughts: Does Kenny G still sell millions of records? Where? ... and ... I could listen to Sting's pretty angel voice (amongst his other talents) for a long, long time. Along with Stevie Wonder's (though I wouldn't consider his voice the most important of Stevie's talents).

MJ · Tonight

Jules wrote:

... I'm not sure why he wants to make big bucks from his music. He isn't going to.

We're not sure that he does actually or at least expects to, unless you've asked him. We sure could use him in this conversation. Bob, get your skinny ass over here!

And Fran, I had such a different experience at the SAD tour. If I had to judge by that performance, I would have said performing really was the most important thing to him. He had a cold but still treated us with a 3 hour+ show, AND stayed over an hour after the show to greet the fans. He didn't leave until he had met everyone who stayed and signed everything that people wanted him to sign (including a foot high pile of old Rats record).

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

MJ, no it wasn't something I asked him. I'm making assumptions because he isn't here to defend himself

and he's put his prices up, chosen bigger venues. It's certainly giving out that message.

MMbullybuddyGP · Drag Me Down

What an interesting (though disheartening) thread. I love reading all the opinions here, since ultimately Bob is at the heart of this scenario...

I have no idea what to think, and thoughts that came to mind have already been mentioned & analyzed. There is obviously something going on that we don't know about, and the only way to get the bottom of all this is to hear from Bob himself (and the rest of the band!). Like MJ said, he needs to come on here and give some answers lol...which most likely won't happen!

I mean what, is he reverting back to his beginning Rats days when he was so scared that no one'd like him & his music (his self-degredation, like you ArrGee were saying), so he's becoming embarassed to perform now that ticket sales are low? And going to smaller venues, does he feel he shouldn't need to 'start small' again at his age & musical status (however high or low that is)?

If for whatever reasons he just doesn't want to go to the smaller venues, maybe he feels kind of stupid performing for small, un-full audiences since he does put so much of his heart & soul & energy into performing live? Jules was saying that he had many new stories to tell with everything 'new' he's promoting, so does all his 'new' hype in performing for large, attentive crowds diminish with low ticket sales (ie, low seat counts)? If he does feel kinda lame to perform for a few in a large auditorium...well, that is extremely unfair to that fan crowd, no matter how small it is.

Maybe there are health issues in the family (his dad's pretty old now...) or something truly 'unforseen' that is a credible cancellation reason, and it's too personal to reveal to the public.

If nothing is revealed, our skeptic thoughts will just continue to grow & intensify, so...do us all a favor Bob and give us some hint...

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:

Maybe he should just accept that he makes money from his business interest and he enjoys the music, play to smaller numbers and let us enjoy the music. Those of us who want to.

The thing is that Geldof would be paid $50,000 to speak at a fucntion so why would he play live?

But what irks me is this (today's news) http://uk.news.yahoo.com/24112005/325/geldof-raps-italy-aid.html .....

Geldof, who was flanked by former Nobel Peace Prize winners including Mikhail Gorbachev and Lech Walesa, told Reuters he would prefer to receive a music award than the peace price.

"It's a beautiful statue, but, you know, I can get it, I can go to the shop and buy a statue. They're only useful, if you can use them. The ones I love getting are music awards, because then I feel very proud of something I've done," he said.

How the fcuk is he going to get a music award if i) he doesn't play live unless a multitude turn up and ii) he only releases one record every five years?

-- Edited by ArrGee at 23:39, 2005-11-25

MMbullybuddyGP · Drag Me Down

ArrGee wrote:

How the fcuk is he going to get a music award if i) he doesn't play live unless a multitude turn up and ii) he only releases one record every five years?

Good point.

franna · V Deep

Hmmmm.....maybe we should make him an award for Christmas. I'm an awful sculptor, though.

Would he REALLY still be paid $50,000 to speak? Nice job.

You know what, if he loves music and being onstage as much as he claims, it shouldn't make a diff. If he makes $50,000 for a speech on Tues and $1,000 for a gig on Fri, well...if he really loved being a musician, he'd still go home happy. How many musicians play hundreds of dates a year for far less than that?

Lady_Zylpha · Diamond Smiles

ArrGee wrote:

Geldof's self-depreciating tendancy doesn't help. His voice is unique, yet he worries about Bono (one song TM) singing him off the stage; his writing is intelligent and the music creatively arranged. No other new wave band would have dared to have made a record like I Don't Like Mondays at that time. And Scream In Vain and $6,000,000 Loser were the sort of tracks that Sting/Bono could only dream of making. -- Edited by ArrGee at 11:09, 2005-11-24

I couldn't believe at the recent Live 8 concert he sang this Monday song AGAIN, and then said thanks to the world for letting him do it! I wished he'd chosen a different song, but most of all I wished he didn't say that... cringe. So what if his sales and air play is down compared to manufactured pop singers like his mate Madge anyway? We all know that for years the music big boys have "bought" chart ratings and airplay and basically forced the consumer down a music market of their sales oriented choice. But there's always Indies that get through, or main label by-passes such as Virgin Amsterdam for "not so lucky lucky lucky" music. Sure, pop has a place in its own right - that it supports a whole feeding chain within the entertainment industry regardless of the talent or lack of talent behind it. Bob seems more hooked up on "Celebrities" than his fanclub - giving priority to concert, event and advertising to the "big drawcards" when he organizes his "super" events.

I love Sting and Bono's music, Bob has an equal place if he wants it because he's got his own uniqueness - something the music world forgot about in copy syndrome a few decades ago. I haven't heard such lyrics since J Morrison. Maybe he should play across the river at the 'alf moon' in Putney, where many first got started and often re-visit for a jam or two - from Stones to Ben Harper. I agree, he doesn't need to make money out of music or ticket sales. If he worships money (or the "Power" of money) - that's what he'll get in life - lots of paper and metal - "interesting". If he wants to release an album he's guaranteed sales and distribution and he's the greatest self marketing tool with his high public profile. It's the time - he has to make time for himself to create music and if he's so naff to undervalue his own music creativity then he's not going to put a high priority on taking time out of his business/humanitarian career.

Unless of course it's a deliberate self sacrifice for the "good of all"? Well he's done so much already, he should be entitled to have his life back to what he says he loves most. Its a shame he "hates" the internet and doesn't read the pages of his music supporters. If it were me, I'd rather be here with fellow music lovers than swanning around in Indianna Jones outfits with some stuffed suited politician who couldn't care less about his "constituents" although most will ride on the backs of the poor tax payers while doing whatever they please, rather than what they have been voted in to do - administrate their country. I think he should go Green - and get back to the clover. Whether that is a new direction, a re-visit of old or combination - it doesn't matter - if it is pure Geldof in creative - it will be top stuff. Lennon is a prime example of progression out of what was already an enigma into even higher evolution in his post beatle days. He's not a washed up old fashioned fuddy duddy like he makes out (despite the internet comments). Maturity can bring out the creative best in a Man. Fifty is a good decade to start.

Rita · House on Fire

Just to comment on your first point. I was at Live 8. "Mondays" was fantastic and I understand exactly why he did that song.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Rita wrote:

Just to comment on your first point. I was at Live 8. "Mondays" was fantastic and I understand exactly why he did that song.

Personally, I would have thought the Great Song of Indifference would be more apt than a song about a spree killer (as Jonathan Ross commented on TV). My wife, who is hardly interested, said on the day, does he have any other songs?

The problem with Mondays is that you'd think that was the ONLY song he ever made if you were under 30. Whenever he appears on TV, he does it and occassionally another to accompany it; Rat Trap @ the Brits & Diamond Smiles (not my favourite) on Parkinson.

It would be like Elvis Costello always playing Oliver's Army. Or Sting always doing Every Breath You Take. Or Tony Christie always playing Is This the Way to Amarillo. In fact, the last is exactly what it is like, maybe Peter Kay can do a funny video to accompany it.

Katharina · Dave

Hmmmm.....maybe we should make him an award for Christmas.

Great idea Signed by everybody here on the forum: "To Bob, an award from his fans, simply for the music". I'm sure he'd love that!

It's really become an interesting thread. Just wanted to add some thoughts.

Are we maybe taking something personal which doesn't really have to do with us?

I mean yes, we are his fans and would love to see him play, and for everyone of us here this guy seems to play an important role, but if hardly anybody (apart from us) buys tickets, then where's the point for Bob in playing? Given that low ticket sales are the reason for the cancellations: One good reason for playing anyway would be loyalty towards us fans (though possibly he doesn't even know we're here, as he doesn't go online), ok. But on the other hand, he might have to pay for these shows, as he has to pay the band, get everybody and the backline there, cancel other things he could be doing instead, plus be away from his family. And all that to play to a handful of people? It might just be against all entrepreneurial principles not to cancel those shows. And maybe there's just not enough of us there at the moment to outweigh that?

I know that's not a pleasant reasoning for everybody who wanted to go, especially those who wanted to fly over from other countries and continents! All I'm saying is we as fans have a different perspective on what is going on, we must have, otherwise we wouldn't be fans, and we take this personal, when maybe it isn't and shouldn't be.

Mind you, all this is pure speculation. I don't like it either. It's just meant to be another persepctive, just adding to the discussion.

Also, there might be entirely different reasons for the cancellations, and if it wasn't the umpteenth cancellation, I'd not be sticking my neck out.

I might be running the risk of being chased out of here - but tell me what you think!

Cheers, Katharina

-- Edited by Katharina at 13:55, 2005-11-26

franna · V Deep

Katharina wrote:

Hmmmm.....maybe we should make him an award for Christmas. Great idea Signed by everybody here on the forum: "To Bob, an award from his fans, simply for the music". I'm sure he'd love that! It's really become an interesting thread. Just wanted to add some thoughts. Are we maybe taking something personal which doesn't really have to do with us? I mean yes, we are his fans and would love to see him play, and for everyone of us here this guy seems to play an important role, but if hardly anybody (apart from us) buys tickets, then where's the point for Bob in playing? Given that low ticket sales are the reason for the cancellations: One good reason for playing anyway would be loyalty towards us fans (though possibly he doesn't even know we're here, as he doesn't go online), ok. But on the other hand, he might have to pay for these shows, as he has to pay the band, get everybody and the backline there, cancel other things he could be doing instead, plus be away from his family. And all that to play to a handful of people? It might just be against all entrepreneurial principles not to cancel those shows. And maybe there's just not enough of us there at the moment to outweigh that? I know that's not a pleasant reasoning for everybody who wanted to go, especially those who wanted to fly over from other countries and continents! All I'm saying is we as fans have a different perspective on what is going on, we must have, otherwise we wouldn't be fans, and we take this personal, when maybe it isn't and shouldn't be. Mind you, all this is pure speculation. I don't like it either. It's just meant to be another persepctive, just adding to the discussion. Also, there might be entirely different reasons for the cancellations, and if it wasn't the umpteenth cancellation, I'd not be sticking my neck out. I might be running the risk of being chased out of here - but tell me what you think! Cheers, Katharina-- Edited by Katharina at 13:55, 2005-11-26

First, it would be "personally" not "personal." And, especially since I had no intention of seeing this tour, I'm NOT taking it personally.

In general I agree with you. I don't agree here: Money alone doesn't explain why BG has released 4 records in 20 years. I can understand a drought during the tragic years prior to S/A/D...but it's been a long time since, and Live 8 reportedly took only a few weeks to arrange. Is he upset that S/A/D didn't chart (Good Lord, how could he not have known from the beginning it wasn't going to)? WHY all the reissues? Those are things I don't understand. Would he be losing money on new CDs too? And in that case, why not put them up and let interested parties download them....would he STILL lose money?

I suppose my opinion rests on this: Yes, recording and playing music with a band costs a certain amount of money. If you claim that's your favorite thing in life to do, and you're not in desperate need of cash to survive, as long as you can break even (not actually LOSE money) I think it's something you'd want to do every so often, even if you're playing to a handful of people.* If you didn't, I'm afraid too much of your soul would die. However, I can see where that would be a bitter pill for BG to swallow at this stage of his life.

I absolutely do not think he should schedule tours simply out of loyalty to his fans. He either has music he wants to share or he doesn't. I suppose that ties in with my disappointment at his not putting out new work, I don't like to see artists stop creating.

* But if you're playing to a handful of people, it should be done in a small club. Big venues with tiny crowds do not a pleasant evening make.

He could just invite the few of us over to his country house in the summer. He'd have to put up with us camping on the property and ruining his grass, but I'm sure we'd give him, Jeanne, the girls, the band, etc. something from the bar b que. Hmm...maybe not. After all, where would we shower and pee?

-- Edited by franna at 16:15, 2005-11-26

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

Fran I LOVE the idea of a fan-camp at the country house. I'm sure he's got enough room. Now who's going to tell him?

franna · V Deep

YOU, because you see him most often!

Another problem would be that it would have to be VERY small and invitation only....and even then....there are so many crazies circling around....would be hard to determine who was invite-worthy. But, hey, feel free to float the idea.

Cazzy · Tonight

hehehe that would rock !!!!

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

Does 3 times constitute as see him most often? (as in to meet personally)? I'm sure others have met him more times. But if hadn't cancelled then maybe...

Well if I suggest maybe I'll be in charge of the invitations. A visit to the house first might be necessary to see how many people we could fit in. What do you think? I think it would be vital...

franna · V Deep

I think you could take his word for how many he'd be willing to host. Don't get greedy. Greed will kill the plan.

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

As long as I'm on the guest list!

Cazzy · Tonight

Joke wrote:

Postponed, cancelled... I will miss it for sure. Anyone interested in buying a pair of tickets for a gig that might happen sometime, somewhere in London? Good seats, row D seat 8 + 9 or something. I'll give you a friend's price Seriously, I don't think I will even get a refund, as the small print on the tickets says "no refund - subject to changes in date or place" or something. Katharina, I live in Nijmegen, just across the German border. Actually I was only joking about Bob playing in Germany or even Holland... If he doesn't sell any tickets in the UK, he definitely won't sell them over here... Well, just keep our hopes up for the festival season. The last gig I saw was a free open-air festival, so there were quite a lot of people, hardly any real Geldof fans, but the atmosphere was OK. It was maybe the best one I've seen, Bob played a lot of Rats requests including mine (Joey's on the street again). Was I in front of the stage...? I'm proud to say that I'm ALWAYS right in front of the stage whenever Bob's on it... I never experienced an "all-seated" gig, I wouldn't have liked that.

i could take the tickets off your hands!!! hehehe no you should get a refund if your serious and the date is moved i could possibly be able to give you the full amount of money becuase they're good seats but i would probably find it difficult to persuade my dear mother to provide transport.... i would love the chance to see bob again or even possibly meet him... he didn't come out after the peterborough gig..... i hate being a teenager sometimes

-- Edited by Cazzy at 17:12, 2005-11-26

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

Cazzy, you won't be a teenager forever, even if it feels like it.

Cazzy · Tonight

yeh Thanku jules

MJ · Tonight

Here are a few important things to remember at this point of the debate:

We tend to forget this, but Bob is probably not the only one taking decisions related to his music career. He probably has a manager and promoters and a bunch of other people to deal with, and they all have their own interest at heart, as well as Bob's. This is pure speculation on my part, but it's possible that the whole situation is out of Geldof's control.

Although the general perception here seems to be that Geldof puts everything else ahead of his music career, I think he's said often enough that his music is important to him for me to truly believe it is. Because his personal and professional life have been so publicized, we feel like we know him but we don't. It's very easy for us to sit behind a keyboard and tell him what he should do. None of us has to deal with a music career, World Peace, the fate of fathers everywhere, and four kids to raise on top of that.

Yes, the silence is frustrating, but I trust Ian and Tina will tell us what they can, when they can, but again, they're not alone in this boat. They said on the main page that an announcement would be made soon. Let's wait and see.

You guys have been very good so far at stating clearly your speculations, opinions and feelings as such, rather than making them facts. As forum admin I have to thank you for that. It makes our life much easier

franna · V Deep

MJ, I find that post extremely condescending.

-- Edited by franna at 19:10, 2005-11-26

Katharina · Dave

franna wrote:

First, it would be "personally" not "personal."

ok sorry. An adverb, not an adjective. But it's not that I wasn't trying...

franna · V Deep

I know, Kath. LOL

Joke · The Dutch One

MJ wrote:

Here are a few important things to remember at this point of the debate: We tend to forget this, but Bob is probably not the only one taking decisions related to his music career. He probably has a manager and promoters and a bunch of other people to deal with, and they all have their own interest at heart, as well as Bob's.

OK, I know Bob probably has a manager and all that, but it's just so hard to imagine someone telling him what to do, or not to do... I keep seeing pictures of Bob hanging around with Blair, Bush, Kofi Anan and all the other world leaders, and HE's telling THEM what to do...

Anyway, after reading all your opinions, I'm dying to hear the real story behind it all

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

MJ wrote:

Here are a few important things to remember at this point of the debate: We tend to forget this, but Bob is probably not the only one taking decisions related to his music career. He probably has a manager and promoters and a bunch of other people to deal with, and they all have their own interest at heart, as well as Bob's. This is pure speculation on my part, but it's possible that the whole situation is out of Geldof's control. Although the general perception here seems to be that Geldof puts everything else ahead of his music career, I think he's said often enough that his music is important to him for me to truly believe it is. Because his personal and professional life have been so publicized, we feel like we know him but we don't. It's very easy for us to sit behind a keyboard and tell him what he should do. None of us has to deal with a music career, World Peace, the fate of fathers everywhere, and four kids to raise on top of that. Yes, the silence is frustrating, but I trust Ian and Tina will tell us what they can, when they can, but again, they're not alone in this boat. They said on the main page that an announcement would be made soon. Let's wait and see. You guys have been very good so far at stating clearly your speculations, opinions and feelings as such, rather than making them facts. As forum admin I have to thank you for that. It makes our life much easier

I don't think anything is out of Geldof's control. Ian and Tina tell us what they are allowed/told to tell us; not a criticism of them (I like them!), just the party line. OK, we don't know Geldof, but we do see his quotes/actions which contradict each other. We don't have any facts, so we do speculate.

With my admin hat on, I agree with MJ. You have all contributed to the debate and kept it in line. Thanks.

-- Edited by ArrGee at 22:13, 2005-11-26

MJ · Tonight

Joke wrote:

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OK, I know Bob probably has a manager and all that, but it's just so hard to imagine someone telling him what to do, or not to do... I keep seeing pictures of Bob hanging around with Blair, Bush, Kofi Anan and all the other world leaders, and HE's telling THEM what to do...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ArrGee wrote:

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I don't think anything is out of Geldof's control.
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I'm not saying that he doesn't control his music career per say, but he can't possibly control everything either. I know just about nothing of the music business, but I would think he has to deal with whoever run the venues, hired technicians, musicians, promoters... Yeah, I'm sure he tells them what to do, but like our Prime Minister with Bono, that doesn't mean they have to listen.

ArrGee wrote:

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We don't have any facts, so we do speculate.
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That we do

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

Fran, I'm not quite sure why you find MJ's post condescending? Anyway I'm finding everyone's opinions interesting. I'm going to throw another one.

We're all wildy wrong, every single one of us, and Bob's reasoning is something we haven't thought of.

.

franna · V Deep

Jules wrote:

Fran, I'm not quite sure why you find MJ's post condescending?

In my opinion, MJ comes very close (in tone) to making her opinions fact.

-- Edited by franna at 12:48, 2005-11-27

Ian · House on Fire

All of the views on this current thread have been taken note of. Arrgee seems to be a bit of a visionary with his last post. And MJ is nearer the mark than most of you realise. A statement will be made in the near future, when all of the current issues have been dealt with from this end, I mean management when I say this end.

I can assure you all that the current situation and the problems that this has caused will not continue into 2006.

Ian