Some new ones on www.boomtownrats.co.uk so presumably they're confirmed. Suggests one or two others not quite though.

Wonder if Norway one is in Norway?  Short bus ride for Derek??

The Perth one is actually at Scone Palace, which is a bummer to get to by public transport. It is an out in the open, field kind of thing. As the crow flies, only a mile from Perth but on the other side of the river and only one crossing, much further south. Hopefully they will lay on buses. It is probably easier for me to get to Whitehaven.

suss wrote:

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Wonder if Norway one is in Norway?  

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Norway is a very big country, and I suspect this one is Arts Festival of Northern Norway in Harstad.  Closer to the North Pole than it is to London.  Also given it is the Summer Solstice, it will be 24 hour daytime.

I'm think Geldof may have done this event solo at some point, but not 100% sure.

http://www.visitnorway.com/uk/What-to-do/Whats-on/Concerts-and-festivals/Summer-festivals-and-events-in-Norway/

Jules wrote:

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Henley!! Shame there are no more early bird tickets and have to wait until 31st Jan for full price ones.

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Depending on vacation plans (Mrs. ArrGee decides that), that is a good one for me as well.   Tring is 99% certain as that is an easy one to get to by train, so two within easy reach.  Will reserve a hire car for Henley...

Just checked, Scone Palace Perth is the Sunday

Just heard from Pete. I think Chris is still involved, which is great, but Pete seems to be overseeing everything, including my twitter.

Scottie wrote:

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...Pete seems to be overseeing everything, including my twitter.

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Trust he will keep all you troublemakers in line...

For the record, no overseeing here.  All the gossip and rumour that's unavailable elsewhere.  That said, don't think there have been any controversial threads for a long time. 

ArrGee wrote:

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I suspect it is the Over Oslo festival. Acts to be announced on the 16th January.

www.scenegrefsenkollen.no/index.php/program-2014/program-2014/lordag-21-juni

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 Well thats a Rygge airport job if it is the Over Oslo festival. £20 for a half lager in Norway. No wonder the country is so rich.

ArrGee wrote:

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I suspect it is the Over Oslo festival. Acts to be announced on the 16th January.

www.scenegrefsenkollen.no/index.php/program-2014/program-2014/lordag-21-juni

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 I was wrong, it's not that.   

Scottie wrote:

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The Plymouth gig still advertised as going ahead. The support group have also tweeted about supporting the Rats.

http://www.plymouthvolksfest.co.uk/main-stage/bob-geldof-boomtown-rats.html

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 Sure it is, but nothing about it on the rats site. Could be playing any of the three nights, so unless you wanna spend the weekend in a camper van, hold off on buying the day ticket.

Jules wrote:

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Norway info: mobil.glomdalen.no/kultur/article7169883.ece

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 Konsvinger is 62 miles NE of Oslo, so Oslo is probably the nearest airport. Train journey is 1 hour 20 mins approx.

ArrGee wrote:

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Added - Sunday 6th July 2014 - Hop Farm Festival, Kent

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 Apparently not happening!

There are some free weekends like 14-15th June (Iow), 11th-12th July (T in the Park) and August (Reading/Leeds) .   An appearance at a big festival could even have an associated BBC TV slot and be good for any autumn/winter dates.

As an aside Cork Marquee is free on 14th June, and it would be great to go back.  And I still reckon they could get to Glastonbury after Whitehaven.

The Norway gig is the Boomtown Rats. We have also just heard that the jersey gig booked as 7th June is postponed till November. Date to be announced. 

iang wrote:

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The Norway gig is the Boomtown Rats. We have also just heard that the jersey gig booked as 7th June is postponed till November. Date to be announced. 

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 Oh good, probably a few dates in November. 

suss wrote:

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Got no reason to doubt the Jersey news but I do wish there was a bit more urgency in the official comms 

At least one site is still selling ( https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-boomtown-rats-glen-matlock-sex-pistols-simon-townshend-the-who-tickets-9179878263 ) and the official Rats site was listing as late as today.

Doesn't do a lot for PR when people will be booking travel and accommodation on back of official sites, fairly confident with only a month to wait.

Not what you know eh....

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 May I suggest contacting Ian or Tina at bobgeldof.com and let them know what your situation is.  I know that when Geldof cancelled his Milan gig some people had their flights paid for for a rearranged date.   I don't know how many people had arranged travel to Jersey, but they may be able to compensate in some way.   Despite my criticisms, they are very helpful in situations like this.

Booking flights is a bit of a risk.  When I wasn't able to make Dublin, I just lost the cost of the flight which fortunately wasn't too much.  Regarding accommodation, I always get rooms with free cancellation.

suss wrote:

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... if these things are 'decided' it really ought to be announced to save further inconvenience.

... for Joey Public it's still 'apparently' going ahead. Late changes for illness etc can't be anticipated, but generally speaking you would think you're on safe ground booking with 4 weeks to go.

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 For the most part, I'd say a large number of those who would have bought tickets would be locals, and probably wouldn't have much up front outlay and be informed of the cancellation from wherever they bought the ticket.   For those, like you and myself on rare occasions, who make travel arrangements from afar then the sooner a cancellation/postponement is announced the better.   In the distant past this has caused some friction between fans and management, but has been addressed to some degree in recent years.  

Ian has let the forum know as soon as possible, and although it may be too late to obtain flight refunds, at least people know.  Joey Public may have to wait for the varied organisations including ticket agents to return from the public holidays, but should all be informed soon.  

PS - If you booked your flight with British Airways, then they refund taxes minus an admin fee.  They will rebook free of charge as well.  If it is Easy Jet then just wave goodbye to your cash!

Jules wrote:

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Just wondering if it is the venue that has changed this. Is it just the Rats on this occasion? If so, they should be contacting those with tickets. It would be helpful though for it to be posted on the websites. I've posted to Facebook, hopefully that will catch some people. Although no one has commented saying they had already booked accommodation and flights.

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It could be due to low ticket sales and there aren't that many people to inform.    With a population of less than 100,000 on the whole island (34,000 in St. Hellier) many of whom aren't there that much, it seems pretty ambitious. Also I doubt the tax avoiders who live there are the sort that would attend rock gigs.

http://www.firethornproductions.com/2013/12/iconic-live/

*EVENT CANCELLATION NOTICE*

We are very sorry to announce that the Boomtown Rats concert on Saturday 7th June at Fort Regent, Jersey has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and confirm all tickets will be fully refunded.

Please contact your place of purchase to arrange refunds as soon as possible.

Firethorn Productions

I've just been online buying my ticket for Cheltenham ie the £45 Sunday only ticket. Due into Birmingham at 2.20 and then will get the train down to Cheltenham so should be there in plenty of time. Got a good bargain hotel in the Cotswold capital too!

Hopefully I can make it to Guildford as well. Will start looking at flights tomorrow. That's it for me then unless the Rats are playing in November. In they do Jersey in November then surely there is a chance for more gigs around that time. Well I hope so anyway.

ArrGee wrote:

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ArrGee wrote:

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 Might be a time to give the official sites a bit of a nudge.  bobgeldof.com still has the Hop festival listed and boomtownrats.co.uk has the Jersey festival still up.  

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LOL - that worked for the guys at bobgeldof.com.  Someone's looking at us!

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 Were always first with the news, and gossip.

Scottie wrote:

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Roundhouse again?  

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 Maybe we should have a poll on where they play. Been to the Roundhouse a lot recently, so would be nice to go somewhere else.

I wonder if Royal Albert Hall is a little too ambitious? Maybe.  Alan could play the organ for the encore of Elephants Graveyard.

A return to Hammersmith Odeon (now Eventim Apollo) would be good.  Maybe London Dominion now the Queen show is over. Sadly no chance of The Rainbow. Koko would be a really good venue. The Troxy would be great as I have yet to go there.

I guess Pete didn't let slip about any Irish dates.

suss wrote:

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I'd say Shepherd's Bush Empire or Brixton Academy are my favourite London venues attended, the former being a good size for Rats.  

 

I don't really like Shepherds Bush Empire, as stage is very low and all you see are the heads of the band from the stalls. For those more vertically challenged, it's a nightmare. Brixton is far better as it is banked, but may be a bit too big. If it is O2 venues, then Islington Academy would be a good choice.

Regarding a more central venue, many of the London theatres stage gigs like Theatre Royal Drury Lane and The Palladium, only issue is they would be seated.

Scottie wrote:

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Grassington sold out.

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 Grassington tickets here...

http://oscar01.savoysystems.co.uk/GrassingtonFestival.dll/TSelectItems.waSelectItemsPrompt.TcsWebMenuItem_1008.TcsWebTab_1009.TcsPerformance_167425.TcsSection_81200

ArrGee wrote:

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Scottie wrote:

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Roundhouse again?  

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 Maybe we should have a poll on where they play. Been to the Roundhouse a lot recently, so would be nice to go somewhere else.

I wonder if Royal Albert Hall is a little too ambitious? Maybe.  Alan could play the organ for the encore of Elephants Graveyard.

A return to Hammersmith Odeon (now Eventim Apollo) would be good.  Maybe London Dominion now the Queen show is over. Sadly no chance of The Rainbow. Koko would be a really good venue. The Troxy would be great as I have yet to go there.

I guess Pete didn't let slip about any Irish dates.

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I've just completed the booking for Guildford on 18 July. This is turning out to be like last year, and I fear it's not over yet! I  think Guildford seems one of the better Rats dates this summer, and with flights only going up during the summer months I am 'forced' to book now or regret that I didn't later, when the prices just go crazy. 

Interesting that Pete said the Rats would be playing in London 'much later', presumably meaning autumm/wintertime. There must be a certain confidence in the band, otherwise they would not announce this. Not sure if Pete announcing the prospective London date is a 'slip'- unless he was drunk or something.

Darren is definitely back this year. Good news.

do the rat wrote:

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Ive just booked a hotel for guildford but i havnt got day tickets yet.Looks like the shows are going ahead , after what happened to peaches i was not sure, but if they are in rehersals it looks good.

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 I just bought a day ticket for Fri 18 June for Guilfest. Cost £45 which isn't too bad.Will be flying into Heathrow at lunchtime and have loads of time to get down to Guildford.

I think there is a good few of us going to this one ,from the forum. Maybe the best 'London area' gig?

Jules wrote:

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Meet ups for Wiltshire and Wychwood - who's in and what time and where to meet.

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 I'm happy to use venue at Wiltshire but will check if there are canal side or decent pubs in walking distance, possibly less crowded.

As for Wychwood, quite like the look of this one myself.

http://www.royal-oak-prestbury.co.uk/

Thoughts?

ArrGee wrote:

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noelindublin wrote:

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 I just bought a day ticket for Fri 18 June for Guilfest. Cost £45 which isn't too bad.Will be flying into Heathrow at lunchtime and have loads of time to get down to Guildford.

Maybe the best 'London area' gig?

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Personally I think Chilfest in Tring is better; takes place sooner,  a little nearer, a bit cheaper, station is next to the field and also has From The Jam as support.  I probably just about prefer Heaven 17 to Fun Lovin' Criminals.

Only downside to Chilfest is getting a drink.  May not be a bad thing in my case....

http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/more-news/i-am-gutted-and-deflated-fabulous-first-chilfest-let-down-by-bar-firm-s-blunders-1-5261930

 

The GuilFest Main Stage

The Boomtown Rats

Fun Lovin' Criminals

and others

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 Friday at Guildford has Sham 69 and Chelsea on the 'vive le rock punk stage'. I don't know if this stage is competing timewise with the main stage. Again I'm just going for the Rats. Festival bills are always hit and miss.I have a full day in London on Saturday as my flight home is a 7pm so I'll just enjoy the weekend and be happy with that.

I do hope the Rats get to play again in the autumn or winter. But two gigs this summer is my limit. Certainly if the are in London during the latter part of the year I hope to get over again.

ArrGee wrote:

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noelindublin wrote:

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 Friday at Guildford has Sham 69 and Chelsea on the 'vive le rock punk stage'. I don't know if this stage is competing timewise with the main stage. Again I'm just going for the Rats. Festival bills are always hit and miss.I have a full day in London on Saturday as my flight home is a 7pm so I'll just enjoy the weekend and be happy with that.

 

I do hope the Rats get to play again in the autumn or winter. But two gigs this summer is my limit. Certainly if the are in London during the latter part of the year I hope to get over again.

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Sham 69 are headlining that stage, and if my past experience of festivals is anything to go by, trying to see two different headliners is near impossible.  If you're not careful, you don't really see either. I ended up outside the tent for Vaccines at Field Day, so just gave up and found a half decent spot for Franz Ferdinand.  It can be a pain having to stand through acts you don't give a monkeys about.  I have suffered sets from Beirut, TV on the Radio and Grace Jones whilst far more interesting stuff was happening elsewhere just to hang onto my spot.

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 With festivals you also have to contend with the weather- most likely either too hot or else non stop rain. Give me an indoor event with a main headline act and one or two supports. You know what you're getting, and paying for. Anyway I'm a bit crowd phobic so the less time spend mingling with strangers, at gigs, the better.

Jules wrote:

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I hate festivals and wouldn't touch them with a barge pole if there weren't any Rats there .

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 I can claim to have done a proper festival with tents and everything, but if the line up is good then they are a good way of seeing a few decent bands at the same time.  The last evening I spent in a field with Elvis Costello and Ray Davies was superb.  Even better that the tickets were free due to Elton John's grumbling appendix.

Looking promising for an autumn tour. Gets a mention part way through this...

http://www.susyradio.com/2014/05/23/boomtown-rats-visit-susy-radio/

Years ago,  the Rats would either play Trentham or Hanley to capture the Stoke on Trent/Stafford/Newcastle under Lyme/Cheshire towns brigade. As Bob solo he's played Nantwich,  Middlewich, Macclesfield etc but these are relatively small Cheshire towns and I don't think they could support the likely 3000 to 5000 fans that the Rats are surely looking to play to and can easily achieve. 

Scottie wrote:

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Glasgow again I would imagine, since it  was sold out last year. Don't think they would sell out in Edinburgh.

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 They sold out Edinburgh back in the day so why not now?

Re: "Looking promising for an autumn tour. "

Should hear more in around 2 weeks time... 

suss wrote:

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Re: "Looking promising for an autumn tour. "

Should hear more in around 2 weeks time... 

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Better get the sussmobile serviced     Hopefully they will announce a London date that will clash with an afternoon match at Highbury.  18th October or 1st November would be good