Interestingly enough, we did this back in 2008

http://boomtownrats.activeboard.com/t15465252/fantasy-geldof-set/

This was before there was any sign of any reformation. I have 11 of the current set (out of 16), and the Feelgood cover the Barton/Bradbury Rats did.  Also Me & Howard Hughes is in there but that sadly seems to have been omitted in recent gigs. 

If I could change it, I would swap Riot in Cell Block #9 for Neon Heart as the Rats have done themselves and probably shuffle it to be closer to teh current order with Eva Braun starting it off and Rat Trap concluding it.

2013

Eva Braun
Like Clockwork
Neon Heart
She's Gonna Do You In
Blind Date
Close As You'll Ever Be
Kicks/Joey  (medley) 
House on Fire
Banana Republic
Living In An Island
Me & Howard Hughes
Don't Believe What You Read
Someone's Looking At You
She's So Modern
Mary of the Fourth Form
Looking After Number One
Rat Trap

encore
Barefootin'
Never Bite The Hand That Feeds

noelindublin wrote:

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Bob Geldof vocal coach lol. What, some guy in a tuxedo telling him how to sing Rat Trap???

  he uses his voice not like a singer should, it's more kind of "shout-singing":

His voice if fitting for the type of emotions and music he is conveying. 

Yes, I expected this one. I didn't want to criticize Bob, I think he has a great personality, he is a great entertainer and I saw at The Roundhouse one of the best gigs of the last 5, maybe 10 years. Period. But I only wanted to express my concerns about the guy's voice. He's not 32 anymore, he's 62. There are a lot of great singers who don't sing by the book and they have never any problems. Freddie Mercury never took any vocal lessons, but he had an exceptional talent. But listen to your body and don't be too sturdy. Even if you're Sir Bob. A vocal coach also have a role to protect someone against him-/herself.

I already played electric guitar for four years when I met for the first time a professional guitar teacher. The first guitar lesson I hardly played a note on the fretboard. All we did was to get the balance of the instrument, body and arms right. After that lesson it was no more Peter Hook or Bob Mould pose anymore. But I never suffered from wrist pain anymore.

What, some guy in a tuxedo telling him how to sing Rat Trap

I think that Bob has a lot of friends or business partners wearing tuxedoes and wearing a Rats shirt at the weekend...

We got chatting to a couple from Knutsford last night who said they saw Macca 3 years ago and he was on for 3 hours. That's some going at 67.

Bob's only 62 so plenty of mileage left.

Jules wrote:

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Others have told me that too. I'd get bored of 3 hours of Macca, unless he did purely Beatles songs. But I wouldn't get bored of 3 hours of Rats.

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 Amen to that. But I think they would have to pace themselves.

They just merge from one song to another without a chance for any of the band to bless themselves.

Really jealous of those going to Doncaster tonight. Hope they have as great a time as I had in Manchester

I liked the Teardrop Explodes. Reward and When I Dream are particular favourites. Had a ticket to see them in the early 80s but couldnt go. Not keen on Cope's solo stuff though

Loved Elvis Costello. Armed Forces was the third LP I bought. Tonic for the Troops was my first and Parrallel Lines was my second.

I liked the Beatles but Wings and Macca in general, no thanks. John Lennon was the genius in that partnership for me. Pity they didnt go for the reunion with Julian in his place for Live Aid. I am pretty certain that the Beatles would have reformed for Live Aid if Lennon had still been alive. Imagine the money that would have raised and it would have made Bob's job a lot easier.

I am with you Mark on the mystery of the Rats not getting the recognition they deserved. Think the Irish factor was part of it plus they were singing about things other bands wouldn't dream of. Me and Howard Hughes and I never loved Eva Braun require a little intelligence to appreciate the lyrics. Rats fans are just so god damn intelligent. That's why we get them while others dont (that's my theory anyway)

Marti-Anne wrote:

I liked the Beatles but Wings and Macca in general, no thanks. John Lennon was the genius in that partnership for me.

Wings! They're only the band the Beatles could have been!

I think the "genius" of Lennon is overstated.  After all, what did he do on his own?   His most famous song could have been written by McCartney.  George Martin was the genius in The Beatles. 

Jules wrote:

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Others have told me that too. I'd get bored of 3 hours of Macca, unless he did purely Beatles songs. But I wouldn't get bored of 3 hours of Rats.

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3 hours of Macca didn't get me bored at all at the Gelredome, Arnhem 2009 and Ahoy' Rotterdam 2012. Great band (close your eyes and you hear The Beatles) and great set lists. OK, the Wings songs are not my favourites too, but he can build a great set list. Only Macca's jokes are boring if you hear the same ones as 3 years ago...
If he plays half an hour with Nirvana as support act for the Rats, wow I don't mind. Anything better than Patrik Fitzgerald. But you can solve that problem in one day, but he keeps coming back...

Free hint/tip/suggestion (I don't know the right word in English so you can choose the right one) for Beatles' lovers as I am, go to the Cavern Club and book a night when The Cavern Club Beatles are playing. I was there a month ago and their show is really stunning (awesome is also right I believe, but it is more American English?). More than 3 hours of Beatles songs and you can hardly hear the difference between them and the real ones. They take your through the different eras of The Beatles and they even look a little bit like them. Tony Coburn (Paul McCartney) plays even left-handed bass guitar! The same one as Pete Briquette uses nowadays (Höfner Violin). So rather scary sometimes (I mean that positive of course...) and it was a relief when they made some mistakes, otherwise you couldn't hear the difference. Pity that I don't play the guitar since 1995 or so, because you can play with them too on stage!!! Next time I go to Liverpool, I going to rehearse for a couple of weeks and take my Rickenbacker with me (and a video camera of course ).

But hey, can we go back to topic please!!! Only ArrGee posted a set list. I'm still curious about your one.... Other question, OK again off topic, not about the set list, but about their clothes. Don't they have any other shirt or jacket or what? Can't they afford some other things? Gary looks like a Bulgarian truck driver and Darren, it's a little bit like Blackadder with that army coat... Come on guys, you can do better than that.

Maybe I will check out some of Julian Copes stuff then and his biog. World Shut Your Mouth put me off listening to anything else he did after that. But to be honest I was busy having kids and living in Thatchers Britain. (My precious LPs were sold to make ends meet so I have a grudge with her about that LOL) That's why V Deep was the last Rats album I bought although that will be remedied soon.

I can understand where you are coming from with Bob. I know sometimes artists want to try their own thing but I was a bit gutted when I saw the youtube clips of him in Southport singing TBR songs when Simon and Garry were playing as the Rats. I think he underestimated how good they were together which is why he has been talking about his surprise at the power of the band when they did finally play again. The difference between his performance in Southport (even with Pete there) and when he was playing with Simon and Garry is amazing.

I've no problem with Do They Know it's Christmas.  It's not just because Geldof had something of a hand in it, I just genuinely think it's a good song. 

I've an idea I've read it was going to be a Rats song called It's My World so frankly it's no surprise it comes over well to me.

Love the Slade and Wizzard Christmas songs.  A little known one I also like is the Waitresses with the Christmas Wrapping song. Only got to 45 in 1982 which was a travesty. 

Setlist for BVD 1965 coming soon!

Mark L wrote:

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Love the Slade and Wizzard Christmas songs.  

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 I fcuking hate Wizzard.  At the time, they were glam rock for grannies.  

I was 7 when Slade and Wizzard went head to head so that fits, Marti-Anne. 

Always had a soft spot for things Roy Wood.  If you like the Beach Boys, you may (or may not) like a solo track of his called Oh What a Shame. 

Mark L wrote:

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I was 7 when Slade and Wizzard went head to head so that fits, Marti-Anne. 

Always had a soft spot for things Roy Wood.  If you like the Beach Boys, you may (or may not) like a solo track of his called Oh What a Shame. 

 

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 Had to check when this was a hit. I was 10 so an older woman.

I remember my little sisters loving it at the time. Think it was all that glitter!

Marti-Anne wrote:

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ArrGee wrote:

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Mark L wrote:

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Love the Slade and Wizzard Christmas songs.  

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 I fcuking hate Wizzard.  At the time, they were glam rock for grannies. 

 

Wizzards Christmas song appealled to the primary school age range from what I can remember.

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 Didn't appeal to me at the time and I was at primary school. I thought they were sh!te then and still think they fcuking are. A few Christmases ago Roy wood turned up and did that song as as an encore with dodgy. Shame, as it was a great gig up to that point.

I liked sweet, slade, t rex and bowie at primary school, which I'm kinda proud of. Will admit to liking gary glitter, but I grew too old for him.  One band I am a bit embarrassed for liking back then are showaddywaddy. When I hear them now, I just can't think why I ever liked them. 

Mark L wrote:

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I'm not embarrassed to admit to liking anyone. When you've defended the Rats from 1981 to Isle of Wight 2013, there's no problem. 

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 But the rats are good. Showaddywaddy ain't.

I know the Rats are good and so do you......but decreasing numbers thought the same post-Mondo Bongo. 

Now that I'm 46 and more or less resistant to the whims of fashion, Showaddywaddy look like they might be a good night out. Their catalogue is a tad lightweight, but thats a statement you could level at most pop acts. They had an engaging front man - ok not as engaging as Geldof - but they looked like they were having a good time and trying to crowd-please. 

Yet when I was at school, they were considered the complete, living embodiment of naff. Pretend Teddy boys who were far from cool, no matter how many winks and nods the singer aimed cheekily at the camera.

Come to think of it ArrGee, what on earth were you thinking?!

Marti-Anne wrote:

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I was into Donny Osmond. 

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 I always thought David Cassidy & The Partridge Family were far better  

Did you know Donny's two older brothers are deaf and his nephew is hard of hearing?  Any fcuking excuse not to listen to him!

Mark L wrote:

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MY FAVOURITE SET LIST:

00 The Boomtown Rats (intro)

01 I Never Loved Eva Braun
02 She's so Modern
03 Don't Believe What You Read
04 Wind Chill Factor (Minus Zero)
05 I Don't Like Mondays
06 Having my Picture Taken
07 Never in a Million Years
08 Real Different
09 Drag me Down
10 Keep it Up
11 Someone's Looking at You
12 Mary of the 4th Form
13 Banana Republic
14 The Elephants Graveyard (Guilty)
15 Like Clockwork
16 Joeys on the Street Again
17 House on Fire
18 He Watches it All
19 Rat Trap

Encore

20 Looking after No 1
21 Diamond Smiles

 -- Edited by Mark L on Saturday 9th of November 2013 11:52:48 AM

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Thanx, that's a great set list, Mark.

Don't Believe What You Read / Wind Chill Factor (Minus Zero) / Never In A Million Years / Drag Me Down / Keep It Up / The Elephants Graveyard / House On Fire, these songs can really add something to the 2013 set list. Maybe House On Fire and Banana Republic can be combined to one long reggae song. The House On Fire Dub Version is an excellent part of 80's music. 12" dub versions, oh man, sometimes I wish we were back in the 80's. 

A little bit to the negative side in my opinion are Real Different and He Watches it All. These tracks or, if you like, fillers, hmmm, I don't think that's a good idea, but of course it's yours not mine.
 

If I could add two songs to my set list of November 2nd it would be these "Anothers":

• Another Piece of Red
• Another Sad Story

If I may call this "Johnnie Fingers songs", these songs are fine examples of the importance of the BTR keyboard player. We did't talk much about him lasts months (we hoped we would see him together with Gerry at The Roundhouse), but I think his role is underrated. The first chord progressions of Another Sad Story combined with the sax part is so beautiful, it would be great if Alan may play this song next year. Or Johnnie himself...

Marti-Anne wrote:

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This is what I would like to see the Rats playing. Really hard to whittle it down! 

The Boomtown Rats
Someones Looking at You
I Never Loved Eva Braun
Nice N Neat
She's So Modern
Mary Of The Fourth Form
Don't Believe What You Read
Having My Picture Taken
Living In An Island
Banana Republic
The Elephants Graveyard (Guilty)
Like Clockwork
Joey's On The Street Again
Never In a Million Years
He Watches It All
She's Gonna Do You In
Looking After No 1
Keep It Up
Never Bite The Hand That Feeds
Dave
When The Night Comes
Diamond Smiles
I Don't Like Mondays  

Encore:

Back To Boomtown
Nothing Happened Today
Rat Trap 

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Thanx Marti-Anne.

Great set list and some surprising to me (in a positive way!):

Nice N Neat > could be a song written by Strummer and Jones. Nice guitar solo by Gerry.

Living In An Island > great song if I hear it again now. The song has so much musical styles in it. Reggae, Rock, Pop, maybe a bit of Ska and even Calypso. You can hear they can be versatile if they want. Again nice guitar solo by Gerry. And of course funny lyrics. I was twelve years old Dutch kid then, so at that time I thought it was just a good song, but hearing it now I agree it's a good and funny song and it would be great to play it live.

Dave > Very 80's. Pete plays a fretless bass guitar here I guess, that's also very 80's and he's even slapping!!! Anyway, I love the song, though it's a sad sad story. Because of that I doubt they will ever play it live again, if they ever play live again (hope so of course).

Back To Boomtown > Good song, weak chorus, but I prefer this one above "The Boomtown Rats". Although I don't think it is a particular Boomtown Rats song, it could be even a song by Barclay James Harvest if I'm honest...

Nothing Happened Today > Yesss, this one should be D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E-L-Y on their set list.

He Watches It All is the only one I disagree, more of a filler to me. Thanks again.

I love Back to Boomtown and 'wistfulness' is a great word to describe its appeal. I sometimes think there's something wrong with me, because I seem to like this song more than others do round here, although most seem to feel it's the best of the 4 from Ratlife (the longer version is miles better as well).

No disagreement on He Watches It All - probably the best track on V Deep and should have been a single. 'Someone broke into his house last night, it's strange they didn't take a thing. Someone broke into his house last night, yet still it feels like they took everything' - anyone who's ever been burgled will know these words and the powerful way Geldof sings this particular verse nails the feeling completely. What an astonishingly good song.

Ratboy wrote:

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I can't believe that anybody would include any tracks from the last 2 albums , almost every track from the first 2 albums for me are better options. I guess that's the beauty of the Rats , a lot of variation in their musical styles which appeals to a lot of tastes .

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Generally speaking, I agree. The first 2 LPs + B-sides along with a few choice tracks like Someones Looking, Banana Republic and House on Fire would be the perfect set list.  Dave and Drag Me Down off In The Long Grass would be the only songs off last two LPs that would make the cut for me.   I suspect a few off the last LP will be played on tour.  Good time to head for the bar