Indian one this weekend has been postponed because the government are using the stadium for something else. Band were told tonight. Just as well they did not get out there. Possibly in March now.

manatthetop wrote:

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Does he really have to do solo gigs now he's back with a real band??

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 Yes. If he doesn't do solo gigs then he might start playing some of the songs at Rats gigs.  

More seriously, it's simply a different show. Apart from the Mary/Joey/Rat Trap section at the end the two have very little in common.  I saw him once and overall it was better than I expected, but Geldof solo hides behind his hair and guitar whereas Bobby Boomtown is more engaged with the audience. Geldof solo is far more introspective and personal to him.

That said, if they have to have a drum n bass song, Scream in Vain is far better than the eponymous song, so maybe there is a case for the odd Geldof solo song.

ArrGee wrote:

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manatthetop wrote:

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Does he really have to do solo gigs now he's back with a real band??

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 Yes. If he doesn't do solo gigs then he might start playing some of the songs at Rats gigs.  

More seriously, it's simply a different show. Apart from the Mary/Joey/Rat Trap section at the end the two have very little in common.  I saw him once and overall it was better than I expected, but Geldof solo hides behind his hair and guitar whereas Bobby Boomtown is more engaged with the audience. Geldof solo is far more introspective and personal to him.

That said, if they have to have a drum n bass song, Scream in Vain is far better than the eponymous song, so maybe there is a case for the odd Geldof solo song.

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 I wouldn't begrudge Bob doing the Great Song of Indifference live,  with the Rats, though I think others may disagree. He could sneak it in, and I wouldn't mind at all. Without Geldof the Rats, face facts, would be travelling the byways of the Uk, playing to small crowds and we would never get sell out tours and publicity.

The funny thing is that even Bob solo could never get the crowds that Gary and Simon brought back to this once great band. They work best together and long may it continue.

Re Bob hiding behind is hair a lot of the songs are about  a very painful time in his life, and he has to 'go into himself', to reconnect with how he felt at the time. These are never going to be the extrovert, outgoing, big hit songs of the Rats era- but anyone half interested might understand where the songs are coming from.

noelindublin wrote:

Without Geldof. the Rats, face facts, would be travelling the byways of the Uk, playing to small crowds and we would never get sell out tours and publicity. The funny thing is that even Bob solo could never get the crowds that Gary and Simon brought back to this once great band. They work best together and long may it continue.

Facing facts, neither were much of a draw.  Geldof was probably selling a few more tickets, but much of it is based on his celebrity.  

Re Bob hiding behind is hair a lot of the songs are about  a very painful time in his life, and he has to 'go into himself', to reconnect with how he felt at the time. These are never going to be the extrovert, outgoing, big hit songs of the Rats era- but anyone half interested might understand where the songs are coming from.

I know where the songs are coming from, but it's not particularly entertaining when Geldof hides behind his hair, guitar and frequently turns his back on the audience.  There are plenty of troubled troubadours who tread the boards but they still engage with their audience.  

ArrGee wrote:

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noelindublin wrote:

Without Geldof. the Rats, face facts, would be travelling the byways of the Uk, playing to small crowds and we would never get sell out tours and publicity. The funny thing is that even Bob solo could never get the crowds that Gary and Simon brought back to this once great band. They work best together and long may it continue.

Facing facts, neither were much of a draw.  Geldof was probably selling a few more tickets, but much of it is based on his celebrity.  

Re Bob hiding behind is hair a lot of the songs are about  a very painful time in his life, and he has to 'go into himself', to reconnect with how he felt at the time. These are never going to be the extrovert, outgoing, big hit songs of the Rats era- but anyone half interested might understand where the songs are coming from.

I know where the songs are coming from, but it's not particularly entertaining when Geldof hides behind his hair, guitar and frequently turns his back on the audience.  There are plenty of troubled troubadours who tread the boards but they still engage with their audience.  

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At Islington he  never shut up for telling the stories behind the Rats back catalogue. Even before Scream In  Vain he was explaining how it was a  strange song and he could not figure it out, but it made sense to him. I might classifly that gig as being a bit too engaging, and all the long explanations of the songs interfered a bit with the continuity and dynamic of the show. He shouldn't mix up his musical performances with his public speaking engagements.

I think at one of the Rats gigs in Dublin last year Bob was droning on and someone in the audience told him to shut up and get on with the music. I remember this, and Bob paused a bit, gave a dirthy look, and contiunued his spiel.

A few years ago I was Ian McCullough of Echo and the Bunnymen at Whelans. Doing mainly solo stuff McCullough drank continually from a bottle of whiskey, and just did his own thing. Hardly engaging with the audience at all- I think he was barely conscious of where he was. Yet that was a true rock and roll performance. I don't necessarily believe rock stars have to be nice. I'm sure someone like Lou Reed wasn't allways nice or engaging. Rock star temperment is sometimes part of the attraction . Having said that, Bob Geldof is, most of the time, more engaging than most, so the  occasional touch moodiness can be forgiven.

Took that bad mate ha ha. Yeah like you say. He seems to come alive singing the Rats song's. Bobby boomtown all the way. Bob solo should put his solo suit hanging up behind his door and just Do the rat (keep your trap shut) That way he sell's out the hall's not just a few 100 seat's

To be fair to him he has done a few back home. But the biggest turn out he got Was when he played Queen's Nov 05 At the time he was doing the greatest hit round and played mostly Rats song's as he was pushing the best of and the remaster's at the time. Have to say that was one great night. I think the penny dropped on him that night as to what the crowd like best  

Another one 13 December Vigo Spain. Tickets http://taquilla.servinova.com/ventaentradas/es/otras-musicas/auditorio-palacio-de-congresos-mar-de-vigo/4367--bob-geldof-en-concierto.html