Sounds a good idea.  I would be interested.  Before last week I'd have said its too far to travel but hey if I can drive to Leicester I can go anywhere, lol!!  Although it would certainly be preferable not to be on a weekday and I would imagine that might go for others especially if they were travelling a long way (even from overseas) and having to stay overnight.

I'd second Jules' question - how many people can you bring?

Ian wrote:

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Don't get carried away with this, and I have not even spoken to Bob or Willo about it yet.  If we could organise a Bob Geldof.info fan convention and everyone had enough lead time, would we get the appropriate numbers?  What I have in mind is suggesting we put on a nice intimate gig in the UK's most famous club venue, the Cavern in Liverpool.  I am quite friendly with the owner Bill Heckle.Obviously the band would play, but we could also get Tina & Phil Bates on and a whole host of others.  The Cavern holds 350, hot and sweaty.  To put this gig on, tickets would need to be around £35. We would need to know in advance if it was viable.Kick it around the golden circle, plusses and minuses.  If we have more +'s than -'s I will put a proposal together for Bob and Willo.Ian

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Ian, I'm impressed! What's going on?

A yes from me. I've travelled further than Liverpool... I'm sure you could count on Corinna from Hamburg, too.

Ian wrote:

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If we could organise a Bob Geldof.info fan convention and everyone had enough lead time, would we get the appropriate numbers?  What I have in mind is suggesting we put on a nice intimate gig in the UK's most famous club venue, the Cavern in Liverpool.  I am quite friendly with the owner Bill Heckle.Obviously the band would play, but we could also get Tina & Phil Bates on and a whole host of others.  The Cavern holds 350, hot and sweaty.  To put this gig on, tickets would need to be around £35. We would need to know in advance if it was viable.Kick it around the golden circle, plusses and minuses.  If we have more +'s than -'s I will put a proposal together for Bob and Willo.

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A very good idea -

Positive :

• Intimate venue - Would be nice to see Geldof close up
  
• Media Interest - The idea of Geldof playing the Cavern would generate press interest
  
• TV/Radio/Web broadcast - I suppose there is the possibility of getting a TV company to record the concert and to broadcast it.

Negative:

• Location - Personally, I'd be unlikely to get up to Liverpool, though if coincided with a game at Anfield, and I could get a cheap flight to Liverpool from London City, who knows.
  
• Cost- Ticket price would put off locals who may be curious.  Even for fans it would be a case of making a weekend of it
  
• The anorak factor - I don't think making it an official Geldof.info fan convention would be the right thing to do.  Would be better to have the ticket available through the site on a pre sale and then allow it to go to locals.

I suppose the key question is would I go, and I'd say probably not.  We haven't had a weekend away since our daughter was born last year, and I'd doubt that it will be any easier next year. That said, it is the sort of event I would go to, if I didn't have any family concerns. 

I did a couple of Pulp fan club events a few years ago, and they were probably the best Pulp gigs I went to.  Suede did something similar, and they were very good, though sadly I never got tickets (they have a lottery).

Very interesting idea. I got much to say about this, so I'll start with my personal situation and then go to a more general perspective:

Unfortunately for us, cost of living in UK is close to 4 times what it is in Canada, so for us to be able to go back, we'd need a hell of a lead time, something like 9 months to a year. That being said, we truly loved our trip to England, and we're looking forward to go back, so we would make an effort to make it if the convention happens.

1) It seems to me that it's not clear what the target audience for this event would be. I'm thinking hardcore fans, either of Geldof or BTR or both. I don't think it's viable to think bobgeldof.info exclusive, but it should be announced primarely on the big fan sites. I don't think the "locals" who buy tickets at the last minute because there's nothing better to do that night are the right audience. What I imagine is an event where fans come from all over to celebrate

2) A concert is a must, but if you're gonna call it a convention, why not add a few bonus activities? A few ideas:

a) A Q&A: Bob and the band sit at a table in front of the audience, and people in the audience get to ask questions to them.

b) A charity auction of Geldof/BTR memorabilias

c) A bazaar where people bring their memorabilias to sell or exchange

d) How about activities leading to the convention, like maybe a contest for a new www.bobgeldof.info logo design?

e) If enough people travel from afar, maybe we could arrange for group rates at a local hotel

Note that I'm just throwing around ideas. Obviously Ian and Tina could not organize all this by themselves, so they would need some help from dedicated fans. That means there has to be some interest too.

I am pleased with the input.  Remember I have not yet spoken to anyone else about this although me and Bob did have a big conversation about Geldof The Musician after the Leicester gig back at the hotel.  My thoughts and where I am coming from on this issue.

The Cavern - Bob Geldof, The Beatles are all major brand names so to put a Bob Geldof convention in the Cavern will create big awareness and news editorial opportunities.  Conventions are pretty standard affairs, the most famous one I suppose is Cropredy, the Fairport Convention annual bash.  This started in the back of a pub all those years ago and is now a major festival.  As you are probably all aware, Mike Peters and The Alarm do a great one called the gathering, in January.  Ticket prices are around the same prices as we are saying.

I would like to do three conventions leading up to the year 2007. Which is an important one for us Geldof fans as it will be 30 years then since Bob Geldof and the Rats burst into the public domain. Which is fantastic for us for pop music and of course for humanity as a whole. What I mean of course is Geldof the ****ing saint!

We need to celebrate Geldof the Musician in 2007 in a big way. 

The first convention location was chosen as it is a legendary venue and is within easy travelling distance of Ireland.  Bob's gigs fly out in Ireland.

The second convention should take place in Tamworth, which is the centre of the UK and of course is where bobgeldof.info is based. This will be a smaller affair, but I can arrange fantastic hotel rates. In 2007 I would like to think we will have built up enough momentum to do the Royal Albert Hall.  Dont scoff, I have spoken to Bob about this, I don;t know if you are aware, a small folk duo called Show of Hands have sold out the Albert Hall on 2 occasions now.  It can be done.

What sort of things would happen at the first convention in Liverpool.  Firstly, definitely a concert appearance by the band, perhaps a question and answer session with Bob on the stage talking about Geldof The Musician.  Maybe some big screen footage that you;ve never seen before. (I'll have to rummage around in Bob's loft), maybe some guest speakers, what about Joseph O'Connor, the writer. What about J.K. Rowling - you all know she is a big Rats fan.  What about Clare King the actress - a big Rats fan in her youth. Various other stage performances.  We have already mentioned Tina & Phil from the Eleanor Rigby Experience, but how about a short set by Bob, the band, Tina etc of classic beatles covers.  What you don;t know is that Tina and the band have already run through In My Life some time ago, and ****ing good it was too.  What about performances by people linked to Bob.  Someone has already mentioned Jamie Moses, what about Mark Hewins, how about Guy Maile, how about JJ, the list is endless.

What about an auction of memorabilia that you've never seen.

The Cavern has a fantastic video recording facility.  The concert could be filmed and a DVD produced to help fund the next leg of the road to the Albert Hall.  Someone has already mentioned that as this is two of the world biggest pop music brands, Geldof and the Cavern, perhaps the film rights could be sold to local TV.

the whole thing is very exciting, more input please.

I will eventually run all this off and present it to Bob and Willo with all your comments.

When we get to the Albert Hall leg, Bob should ask a few of his buddies along; clapton, McCartney, who knows.

Ian

Ian wrote:

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I would like to do three conventions leading up to the year 2007. Which is an important one... as it will be 30 years since ...

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Aside from the conventions, I'd guess that there'd be little scope for any other commemorations now all the back catalogue is out there, or is there something up Geldof's sleeve?  A new album, perhaps?

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The first convention location was chosen as it is a legendary venue and is within easy travelling distance of Ireland.  Bob's gigs fly out in Ireland.

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Any reason to not have it in Dublin then?  Oddly enough it's probably easier to get to than Liverpool.  How about Baggot Street? [I know far too small]

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The second convention should take place in Tamworth, which is the centre of the UK and of course is where bobgeldof.info is based. This will be a smaller affair, but I can arrange fantastic hotel rates.

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Can Julian Cope be invited?  In fact, a Cope/Geldof/Teardrop Explodes/Boomtown Rats convention would be impossible to not attend for me!

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In 2007 I would like to think we will have built up enough momentum to do the Royal Albert Hall.  When we get to the Albert Hall leg, Bob should ask a few of his buddies along; clapton, McCartney, who knows.

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I think the Geldof and friends idea is very interesting.  And would probably fill the Albert Hall.  However, I think a more unique venue like Theatre Royal Drury Lane or something like that would be better, more of an event.  Everyone does the Albert Hall.  Maybe have support acts influenced by Geldof along.  Didn't The Strokes say the Rats were a major influence

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What about performances by people linked to Bob.  Someone has already mentioned Jamie Moses....

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Yep, Broken English live!  Comin' on Strong! 

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The concert could be filmed and a DVD produced to help fund the next leg of the road to the Albert Hall. 

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I think a DVD would be a great idea.  Add in the promos of stuff like The Great Song of Indifference as extras and it would sell well.

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perhaps the film rights could be sold to local TV

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They could be sold to digital TV.  I'm not connected to anyone at the BBC, but maybe BBC4 would broadcast something like this.  They did Beck/James Brown @ Union Chapel.   Maybe VH1 might be interested.

When all is said and done it's a very good idea, but what would make it work would be for Geldof to release some good new material, and have people want to hear it.  That did happen to an extent with Sex, Age and Death.  Now would be a good time to follow it up.

Arrgee, The reason I chose the Cavern was because it is a brand leader and I have a good relationship with the MD. Thanks to the Eleanor Rigby Experience connection.  Obviously Dublin would be a good idea for the future.

We could perhaps invite the Eleanor Rigby Experience full line up to play there, they have a huge mailing list of their own and in fact have sold out the Cavern in their own right previously. (Tina is the vocalist). I shouldn't think we'd have much trouble selling out Geldof at the Cavern although it must be said local scousers very rarely go to the Cavern.  But its the same with any major tourist attraction, here in Tamworth I can't remember the last time I visited Drayton Manor.

On the Tamworth question yes, we do have a contact who has tea with Julian on an almost weekly basis.

Albert Hall as a venue has the prestige value, rightly or wrongly, I take your point but the Albert Hall it needs to be.

Finally I think everyone is aware that a new Geldof album definitely needs to be put into production.  There is no official plans yet but I believe it is being muted.

Ian

ArrGee wrote:

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Ian wrote: When we get to the Albert Hall leg, Bob should ask a few of his buddies along; clapton, McCartney, who knows. I think the Geldof and friends idea is very interesting.  And would probably fill the Albert Hall. 

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I hate the idea if it's advertised as such.

1) Bob's detractors would say he needs his famous buddies to sell tickets

2) Fans of Clapton, McCartney or whoever else very famous would flood the venue and the focus on Bob and HIS music would be lost

The idea would be more palatable to me if the guest(s) would be kept a secret (yes, even from us).

Ian wrote:

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Finally I think everyone is aware that a new Geldof album definitely needs to be put into production.  There is no official plans yet but I believe it is being muted.

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Didn't Geldof & co come up with Vegetarian in 2 weeks? Ian, just lock em up in a studio and we'll have a great new album in no time

MJ wrote:

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Fans of Clapton, McCartney or whoever else very famous would flood the venue and the focus on Bob and HIS music would be lost

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The idea of a convention in this sense is as foreign to me as panto.  I've had to look at the Fairport Convention site and read more of Ian's posts to begin to understand what is actually being discussed here.

As someone coming from an entirely diffrent culture, I think I need to remind you that from the US perspective, BG is NOT a major brand.  Apparently, he's a brand (local to the UK) who I happened to stumble upon in 1993 and rather liked.

I'm not terribly inclined to cross an ocean to see a short set by the band and speeches/performances by other folks I've never heard of before, or don't really care about.  EXAMPLE: If I suddenly moved to Liverpool and was REALLY bored, I might be interested in hearing J K Rowling talk about the fact that she had Rats posters in her teenage bedroom.  I'd definitely watch the show if it were on TV in the US.  But I'm not getting on an airplane for that.  All the bands/musicians mentioned in this thread so far (with the exception of the "famous friends" and Jamie) are unknown to me  (I suppose Tina is in a different category, I "know" who she is, but I've never heard her), and I'm not likely to cross an ocean to see a short set by a band I like, combined with sets by people I don't know.  If I were there on holiday anyway and could make it, I'd consider it, but it wouldn't be the motivating force behind a trip.  (Unless you put me on the payroll.  I'm quite handy with running cable, focusing lights, slapping down gaffer's tape, running the house, etc. - and/or Jamie and Bob agree to play Emergent Nationalist.  I *might* get on a plane for that.)

Geldof with the "famous friends" - unlike ArrGee, I like the music those people make.  I might well get on a plane for that.

Further, I don't understand what's going on here.  A few days ago, I was under the impression that BG wanted to distance himself from The Rats and Saint Bob and get back to being a present-day musician.  Now, you're saying that in 2007 we must celebrate The Rats and Saint Bob, and begin the planning now. 

Forgive me for being a bit confused...I think it would be quite odd if a big fuss was made over the Rats in 2007 if relations between the band members had not improved.  If you make a big fuss over the 30 year anniversary of The Rats, I think people will expect The Rats to perform.  (The only reason I might get on a plane for that would be to watch the smile on ArrGee's face, but perhaps someone would be kind enough to tape ArrGee's reaction for me, save me all the trouble.)

Hi,

I too feel Bob is distancing himself from his former band.  That's OK with me, as I only have seen him once with present band members.

No.  Unlike others, I am a big fan of Sting, U2, McCartney, Clapton, however, I would travel from Georgia to the UK just to see Bob.  Having other big names would be too much.  Like Jules, I might need to bring my nitro pills and big hanky!  Talk about heart palpatations!

It would be really great to spend at least part of one day with some of the forum members, too!  That could also be arranged...

Just Bob at the Cavern in Liverpool, in August 2006.  That works for me. 

O'Shora

Hi Ian and Tina here.  Let's be very clear about this. As I stated when we started this thread, Bob & Willo know absolutley nothing about this yet, I am just testing the water before putting the approach.  They may say bollocks.  I, like Franna prefer Geldof's solo work, but incidentally had followed the Rats since their very first gigs.  We have all witnessed on tours in the UK and abroad complete shambollick promotion.  It is this that I am trying to put right.  Franna, where have you got the idea from that at a convention you just get a short set by the main person.  Believe you me, at Cropredy you can't get Fairport Convention off. ALso I thought it might be nice to do a Beatles cover set with Bob and the band, maybe Tina and Phil too.  There's another opportunity that will be rarely seen.

I am lucky enough to know all the stories, but having Bob sit down and tell you how he stole a cup that Mick Jagger had drunk out of, but still keeps it as a prize posession to this day. His point is how ****ing mad is that, when they are personal friends.  It's stories like this that a session chatting with Bob would surely be worth any Geldof fan hearing. (we get to hear these things all the time, but then again we're lucky).

I probably didn't explain myself right, all I am saying about 77 is it's a celebration of the year Geldof came into everyones sight.  I am not suggesting we celebrate The Rats or the Saint although at some point during the events, these thigs will be mentioned.  It's part of Bob's history.  I just want to refocus on Geldof The Musician.

How about the inclusion of Dr. Feelgood Arrgee? A major influence on Bob.

Keep the ideas coming.

Ian

Tina McBain wrote:

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 How about the inclusion of Dr. Feelgood Arrgee? A major influence on Bob.

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Sadly one of the few bands I didn't get to see.  Dare I say it without Lee Brilleaux and Wilko Johnson , it wouldn't be the same.  That said, Wilko, Sparko and The Big Figure  have played together since, so maybe they could back Geldof singing Roxette!  Geldof would have to chain smoke thru the gig to give it real authenticity.

http://www.drfeelgood.de/memorial.htm

BTW I don't want a Geldof memorial show!

PS It is thanks to the Rats I discovered Dr. Feelgood  If you like (She's Gonna) Do You In, check out http://www.drfeelgood.de/albums.htm

Although I thought this was an evening's worth of entertainment, I now understand that the idea is a full weekend.  This bit of misunderstanding goes a long way to explain why I thought the band's part in the festivities would be rather small.

As for MJs comments, well, I'm just not sure.  I've also made several friends through all of this, and in many ways I agree that's what's special.  But I suspect I might prefer spending time getting to know those people as individuals (and exploring the UK generally) without the extraneous stuff of a BG festival.  It's also true that one of my closest friends now lives in the UK, so scheduling sufficient time to visit her and her family will always be a proirity for me.

I guess it depends on the festival specifics, and the state of things in my personal life at the time.   Some things make me want to jump on a plane more than others, and sometimes no matter how much I might want to, I just can't. 

If I lived in the UK, I'd probably go - just for the hell of it.  Flying over from New York to see BG perform requires a LOT of incentive, and so far, I'd rather spend time in some twee 15th century tourist trap of a village with friends than listen to JK Rowling prattle on.  Although Tina and the band doing Beatles covers IS almost flight-inducing.

Maybe conventions of this sort will never be my cup of tea (just as I never go out with the U2 crowd to see cover bands, not even locally), maybe it's just because this one requires an overnight flight and several thousand dollars.

We'll see how it all plays out....

How things change!  Though I didn't care much for this thread when it was alive and kicking anyway, for two main reasons. The first is explained in this very late (well, it's only been 6 months!!) response to MJ's post:

Julia wrote: What a pity it's all so parochial.

MJ: Care to elaborate on that thought? I had to look up the word, and I'm still not sure what you mean...

I was using the word in this sense:parochial (adjective). narrow minded concerned only with narrow local concerns without any regard for more general or wider issues

At that stage of the thread, everyone except _joanna_ & Franna had expressed at the least, that they could probably attend, and at the most that they were concerned which day of the week it would be (absolutely no offence to those involved).

It simply seemed to me that Ian's idea was incredibly narrow minded in terms of the geography involved, let alone anything else.  And, yes, it was also a personal comment, as there wouldn't be any way I could/would travel from Oz.  Not bitter, just fact - and to me, the lack of recognition by Ian of all those from outside the UK seemed to exemplify parochialism.

The second reason is that when the post was active, I remember thinking certain things about Ian, given his posts.  At the time, I just left it, but in the light of what's gone down recently and reading his posts again, the same thoughts arise:

It really does seem that Ian might actually be in love with Bob.

Ian definitely suffers from delusions of grandeur.

Is it just me, or does anyone else find all Ian's grand plans, including the incorporation of forum member's thoughts, opinions and suggestions, just a *tad* bizarre, given that neither Bob nor Willo had been consulted at all?

P.S. Another gem Ian let out of the bag at the time:  We have all witnessed on tours in the UK and abroad complete shambollick promotion. 

ArrGee wrote: I never said I would attend!  In fact I said "I'd be unlikely to get up to Liverpool......I suppose the key question is would I go, and I'd say probably not. ".

I suppose the couple of qualifiers you wrote at the time led me a little astray! (though if coincided with a game at Anfield, and I could get a cheap flight to Liverpool from London City, who knows. and That said, it is the sort of event I would go to, if I didn't have any family concerns.)

ArrGee wrote: Apologies in advance for being parochial, but the only places a convention gig would work would be i) Dublin or ii) London.

Of course, but I don't consider this as being parochial; it's just logical!

At the time, Ian was proposing a "Bob Geldof.info fan convention", which I took to mean a convention of the fans that frequent bobgeldof.info (Ian hadn't - and didn't - define who the audience would actually be).  Maybe I was too literal, but I still believe that the lack of recognition by Ian of all those from outside the UK seemed to exemplify parochialism.

Getting off all that - I find Ian's posts just hilarious (if not a little disturbing!).  A few examples:

I would like to do three conventions leading up to the year 2007. Which is an important one for us Geldof fans as it will be 30 years then since Bob Geldof and the Rats burst into the public domain.

Which is fantastic for us for pop music and of course for humanity as a whole.

What I mean of course is Geldof the ****ing saint!

The first convention location (the UK's most famous club venue, the Cavern in Liverpool)  was chosen as it is a legendary venue and is within easy travelling distance of Ireland.
The second convention should take place in Tamworth, which is the centre of the UK and of course is where bobgeldof.info is based.

[The third convention would be at] the Royal Albert Hall.

I can't help thinking that Tamworth is really the centre of the Universe … 'Ouch!'

So, a gig in Tamworth by Tina doing Beatles cover versions...

5 years ago I had the idea of a convention and put the idea to Bob - basiclly my idea was for fans to go to Dublin for a weekend in the same hotel and go to some of the places related to the Rats such as the cafe where Rat Trap was written, and the museam that features the Rats. Dress up like the Rats and have a few beers, and who knows a couple of band members might turn up too. You can easily get lots of cheap deals to fly to Dublin. 

Anyone up for it?

Ok, I'll come as Gerry Cott, though my guitar playing is more Garry Roberts.  Could do some busking, might pay for the trip.  I can play most of them off the first couple of albums.  If you can get Simon along to bash some buscuit tins, we could be in business

Jules wrote:

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Two of us as well. Couldn't do it until next year though.

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It would be in 2007 - 30 years since the first gig. Plenty of time to organise it.

I'd rather a weekend away in Dublin in a nice hotel having a laugh and being sociable, than being in Tamworth watching Tina doing Beatles covers at £35 per ticket

BTR wrote:

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It would be in 2007 - 30 years since the first gig. Plenty of time to organise it.

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August 2007 - 30 years after Looking after Number One was released?

OMG!

ARE YOU GUYS SERIOUS?

If these suggestions turn into something definite, you may have to count this Australian in.  I have no idea how I'd do it, but I'm excited already. To be talking of being in Dublin just blows me away; I've always wanted to visit Ireland and have a long family history there (though sadly they're all 6 feet under ...!).

This could be the excuse I've always needed. A long way for a weekend, indeed, but of course I'd do Ireland and the UK.  Not a clue about how I'd finance it, so you'd better keep the ideas coming and firm up the dates while I go and practice my panhandling skills

ABSOLUTELY!!!

If I did come, I'd have to see the University ... and I think someone who I'd love to meet actually lives in the vicinity ...