If they sell about 1700 tickets on average for these venues they will have done well.Certainly would prioritise the Roundhouse, but will have to limit my Uk gigs to all in the same area, rather than Bournemouth and Newcastle and Norwich.

We don't want another Australia 'fiasco', so better to just play it fairly safe, and not be too ambitious. 

Geldof has cut down  his preaching and prattling on stage. The version of Banana Republic was also cut down to about five minutes, no long jamming session at Ifield. He doesn't even insist on playing his guitar, so we're closer to the authentic sound of the old Rats, without the boring history lessons before the songs.

Jules wrote:

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Just decided, Bristol, Birmingham, London and Bournemouth

Presumably 9 am. Will be at work. Aaaarrggghhh. Why not start sale Thursday when I'm at him hurumph.

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 I'm just doing the Roundhouse.   Now all I need is for Arsenal to have a home game that afternoon and I can plan an absolutely fcuking mega day .  Fixtures out on Wednesday.  What odds they play Palace at Highbury that day?  (38/1)

Jules wrote:

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Just decided, Bristol, Birmingham, London and Bournemouth

Presumably 9 am. Will be at work. Aaaarrggghhh. Why not start sale Thursday when I'm at him hurumph.

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 As much as i'd love them to sell out the gigs Jules I think there will be plenty of tickets left by the time you get home.

suss wrote:

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ArrGee wrote:

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 I'm just doing the Roundhouse.   Now all I need is for Arsenal to have a home game that afternoon and I can plan an absolutely fcuking mega day .  Fixtures out on Wednesday.  What odds they play Palace at Highbury that day?  (38/1)

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 Would guess odds of maybe 38000/1 for that venue, but indeed, a day out up there in N5 topped off with gig would be stuff dreams are made of, even after a tonking. And lift to Cambridge - no problem. Will come back same night though, which presumably suits?

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N5 is Highbury. And that's where the Gunners play.  Neither the old stadium nor the new stadium were ever called Highbury, they were/are officially called Arsenal Stadium. Short bus ride to The Roundhouse.

Back the same night - definitely.  I am right at the bottom of the M11, so pretty easy to get me home.  Shall I get you a ticket?

ArrGee wrote:

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That cover looks familiar!   I wonder if there's going to be a vinyl edition.  I hope so ideally with the "Bonus Digital Tracks" House on Fire and Drag Me Down.

A bit surprised that Having My Picture Taken is on there and Elephant's Graveyard isn't.   Still at least Charmed Lives isn't on it.

BACK TO BOOMTOWN : CLASSIC RATS HITS

Tracklist

• The Boomtown Rats
• Mary Of The Fourth Form
• (I Never Loved) Eva Braun
• Neon Heart
• Like Clockwork
• She's So Modern
• Lookin' After No. 1
• Someone's Looking At You
• Me And Howard Hughes
• Joey's On The Street Again
• I Don't Like Mondays
• Having My Picture Taken
• Banana Republic
• Diamond Smiles
• Rat Trap
• Back To Boomtown

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 Apart from the two new tracks it's not the greatest enticement. All of the individual remastered albums on cd are better value,  in my opinion, but for the casual record store browser this compilation will do. With all the HMV's in the ROI closed we don't even have stores to have casual browsers in. Anyone in Cork or Dublin who might like the idea of catching up on some of the old Rats albums in the physical format, won't be able to. So it's either download or purchase over the Internet.

noelindublin wrote:

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Just checking the capacities of the venues

Roundhouse 3300

Bournemouth 02 Academy 1800

Norwich UEA 1550

Bristol Academy 1600

Nottingham Rock City 2000

Leeds Academy 2300

Birmingham Academy 3009

Manchester Academy 2300

Glasgow Academy 2500

Newcastle Academy 2000

So hopefully these are the right sized venues that should be full enough for the gigs to go ahead. Again a well chosen support act might sway some to come along for a good  'double bill'.

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Not sure how all of these venues go with regard upper tiers, but the Roundhouse does have limited upstairs seating.  When I saw Elvis Costello at the Royal Albert Hall, no one was sat/stood in the circle/balcony.  

It has been good to follow the Rats in London in recent years, playing prestigious and interesting venues like The Roundhouse, The 100 Club, Blackheath Halls and last but not least Whyteleafe FC

As for support, I'd rather have none and a whopping two hour plus set.   Geldof can chat for about two minutes in between each song and that would make it about 40 minutes longer

ArrGee wrote:

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noelindublin wrote:

Geldof has cut down  his preaching and prattling on stage. The version of Banana Republic was also cut down to about five minutes, no long jamming session at Ifield. He doesn't even insist on playing his guitar, so we're closer to the authentic sound of the old Rats, without the boring history lessons before the songs.

So many positives about the dates so far and the proposed tour.  Geldof not hiding behind fringe/guitar, sunglasses perfectly acceptable.  Playing all the hits and big songs as close to the originals as possible. Not trying to play the O2 as a first date.   They even played Someone's Looking ahead of Diamond Smiles this weekend.   I can't think of anything that they have done that differs from the general consensus.

Are they reading this forum? 

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 It came up after the gig at Ifield and we were all asking Bob general questions about the Rats and other things, like what music stations does he listen to etc. He mentioned that he never reads what people say online about him, and I think he said the usual 'I couldn't give a **** about what people say about me ,or think of the Rats.

I remember him saying that he would be happy playing in front of 50 people if the mood or occasion was right. I asked him did he get fed up of playing Mondays and Rat Trap, and he said no, he can put himself into a  mindset where the song will work, it's different to how it was 30 years ago, but he can get into that mental frame where doing the song is no problem.

I asked him did he remember writing songs like Europe looked Ugly,So Strange and Late Last Night. He said yes, he did. He told me Hotel 75 was a hotel in Shepards Bush. He will talk the hind legs of a donkey about music. He is fantastically engaging, and looks you straight in the face, and you get the sense of personal interest. Just my observations of meeting someone I had probably not wanted to meet for fear of being let down or disappointed. 

Geldof had a few glasses of wine, was in a  rather ordinary backroom of a pub with about ten big fans.  He had total star quality yet seemed very open and willing to listen to feedback.There seems to be different versions of Geldof around, but the one I met seemed happy to talk about his music and happy to slum it in a very ordinary setting. He did in a friendly way say that the assembled group of fans were all mad for following him over the years, but I sensed he knew that some people put in lots of effort and money to go and see him and the Rats over the years.

I'm happy to just go to the gigs. Don't really expect to meet Geldof in such a situation again, but he is human after all.

ArrGee wrote:

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 I'm just doing the Roundhouse.   Now all I need is for Arsenal to have a home game that afternoon and I can plan an absolutely fcuking mega day .  Fixtures out on Wednesday.  What odds they play Palace at Highbury that day?  (38/1)

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 Would guess odds of maybe 38000/1 for that venue, but indeed, a day out up there in N5 topped off with gig would be stuff dreams are made of, even after a tonking. And lift to Cambridge - no problem. Will come back same night though, which presumably suits?

Jules wrote:

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Howard says its easy for him to get tickets at work, so he can go on Wed at 9 am and get best seats. Yaaayyy

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Doubt there will be any stalls seats at these venues.  Roundhouse is standing downstairs with a few seats upstairs.

ArrGee wrote:

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N5 is Highbury. And that's where the Gunners play.  Neither the old stadium nor the new stadium were ever called Highbury, they were/are officially called Arsenal Stadium. Short bus ride to The Roundhouse.

Back the same night - definitely.  I am right at the bottom of the M11, so pretty easy to get me home.  Shall I get you a ticket?

-- Edited by ArrGee on Monday 17th of June 2013 07:14:29 PM

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 Should have known better than to question your post . But in my defence, even knowing the official names, we all know old ground as Highbury. Bit like West Ham playing at Upton Park, or not. When did any fan ever say I'm off to the Arsenal Stadium this weekend?? 

Anyway, will gladly take up the ticket offer thanks. Can sort out the travel nearer the time. Cheers.

ArrGee wrote:

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suss wrote:

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Should have known better than to question your post . But in my defence, even knowing the official names, we all know old ground as Highbury. Bit like West Ham playing at Upton Park, or not. When did any fan ever say I'm off to the Arsenal Stadium this weekend?? 

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 That's why I go to Highbury 

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 There was an old film called The Arsenal Stadium Mystery, from the 1930s.

Slightly longer bus ride then ArrGee...@ Selhurst on 26/10

Praise is due to whoever is responsible for the generally good value ticket prices. £24 for a classic band like the Rats is a good deal  in any language. Nice to know that fans are not being ripped off.

In Ireland at least the concert promotion industry can seem like a licence to print money, mainly for what passes as top class acts these days(wont mention any names!)

So with tickets falling in the affordable bracket and venues not too large it seems the omens are good for an autumn return of the Rats- most likely with new songs and even a single release?

suss wrote:

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Other candidates???

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The Strypes would be interesting as they have similar origins.  Dr. Feelgood, though obviously with no originals.  Dodgy would be another option, not too big themselves nowadays and would be appreciated.  Animals would be a good one and be a nice gesture to Pete Barton. 

Interestingly the Blockheads have a pretty full on 2013 but seem to have no gigs in the period of Rats dates currently announced.

They also have a top notch soundman I know Garry and Simon's band always liked working with.

Would be a good combo for me, well known songs, pull in a slightly different crowd (they have loyal fans in good numbers) and Pete Barton gets his cut too . Haven't checked but suspect Animals are booked months in advance in some far flung European nightclubs. They usually are.

Assume you mean the 4 lots you were after? Quite a few more than 4 are already selling.

No panic though. It's not exactly One Direction going on sale.

Jules wrote:

...I'm not sure whether I could afford Dublin. These don't involve air fares or expensive ferry rides.

 Dublin and Cork were/are almost as cheap for me in terms of travel costs as getting to Hurtwood.  I have spent around £40 on a return flight to Cork  and will spend another £20 on buses to/from airport.  Dublin costs were similar.  Obvioulsy beer and ticket costs haven't been factored into this.

For Hurtwood, the car hire was £22 and over £30 in petrol (Derek paid for most of it, but I had to refill when I brought the car back).  And add on the £11 bus return to get the car.  The only cheap part was the fact I was driving meant I saved a small fortune by not buying a single drink!

As for Devon, that is looking like it will be a costly trip.  Car hire is OK at about £35 and the hotel around £65, but petrol will be a lot, and having to feed and water the family.    Fortunately  I have a couple of free tickets thanks to Room 19,  otherwise I wouldn't consider it.

noelindublin wrote:

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Dream support acts.... 

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 That's another matter entirely.  Julian Cope.  Lives in Tamworth at Geldof HQ and is known by his staff.  Saint Julian and Saint Bob would be fun.

noelindublin wrote:

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 £40 approx,  return flight to Cork on a weekend in mid Summer, not bad. It's fun in a way ,looking out for bargain flights and rail fares. Still have no idea of my Rats itinerary for the autumn tour, but Aer Lingus normally have good offers for the autumn to Britain.

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Travel cost to Dublin is nearly always cheap as there are so many flights.  Just have to be flexible on travel time.   It cost about £40 for my trip around Christmas last year.   Once of the easiest trips I can do.  Bus picks me up at local underground to get to Stansted, fly and then bus into Dublin.  Just have to pick a hotel near a bus stop.

Cork was trickier as there are fewer flights, but my patience paid off in the end.

suss wrote:

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So, apart from Dublin which has been mentioned elsehwere, what are the other deprived areas?

Liverpool springs to mind immediately, and perhaps Plymouth/SW and Cardiff.

Looking at schedule would be good if there were willing and suitable venues on 2/11 (or 5/11) for Scouseland, and maybe 27/10 for one of the others.

All in all it's a pretty well spread tour. Brighton would be good as an extra date.

Anyone feeling particularly isolated (and I don't count being inconvenienced by them not being in your local town...Lisa!). Anyone not got a gig within say 50 miles??

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So, apart from Dublin which has been mentioned elsehwere, what are the other deprived areas? 

Liverpool springs to mind immediately, and perhaps Plymouth/SW and Cardiff

Well observed there Suss, but it's hard to please everyone. Most of the venues seem to be Academy 02 venues, so maybe it's down to the supply and availability of these venues. Not even sure who the gig promoters are, or are they in any way tied in with the Academy venues?

suss wrote:

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Lisa wrote:

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Yes and it's 71.5 miles for me to get to the Roundhouse actually ... So there!

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 Maybe you should go to Bournemouth instead then. Only 32 miles from your village.

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 Well Camden is easy to do - letting the train take the strain ... and I like going to London anyway and it's handy being a weekend date so can offload teenager somewhere.  I suppose I could get to Bournemouth (39 miles!) reasonably easily - will have to see nearer the time as I really can't spend any more on Rats gigs at the moment.  But I guess assuming they have a few tickets left to sell nearer the date, I could save up in the meantime ...

Lisa wrote:

 Well Camden is easy to do

I don't know about that, I'll have to change trains to get there.  Why don't they do the 100 Club?  I can catch the tube straight home from there

As for dedication, I've been south of the river three times to see them in the last twelve months!!!  It's about time they played north London. 

Jules wrote:

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Lisa if you can manage Bournemouth, we could easily pick you up on the way. Although we are likely to head down there in the afternoon to avoid traffic just let me know if it helps .

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 Thanks Jules - will have to see nearer the time.  If it was the following week, it would be ideal as it's half term so could easily make it.  But I'll see - depends on finances and whether I come on my own.  But I can get the train there easily enough, and think it's 5 mins taxi ride from station .. Thanks for the offer anyway.  I'm just not rushing to book anything else up at the moment ... You never know - they may just come and play in my "village"