It is confirmed everywhere.  On Olympia website http://www.olympia.ie/whats-on/boomtown-rats/

Also facebook, hot press, Irish independent....

Anyway I have booked my hotel room.  Just down the road from the Olympia at the Harding. Last room!

Have to get the OK from Mrs. ArrGee before I book the flights.

I might have to get there early....

http://www.olympia.ie/buy-tickets/seating-layout

For a standing show, the seats are taken out of the Stalls area. The tickets here are General Admission standing. The first 100 or so people in through the doors for standing shows are given VIP wristbands to enter the front of stage pit area

If anyone is thinking of going and staying I've currently got 3 diff rooms on hold, all within easy walking distance, including one apartment that sleeps 2 + 1, all at reasonable rates and free to cancel pretty much up to the day. I'll sit on them for now until I decide which suits me, but if availability low or prices scary nearer time let me know and I can maybe transfer name on booking(s).

I will be going for the weekend.

PS Suss, which hotels are they, so I could have a look into them anyway. 

Sorry, too tardy. I only have Sunday booked at moment anyway...either at Mercantile (£72), Eliza Lodge (£87) or StayCity apartment (£65).

Jules wrote:

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It's ok, I've found somewhere, nearby and ££££.  Nowhere reasonably priced in Dublin. Staying with a friend in Cork, at least. 

 I think Saturday night is the problem. If you just stay Sunday night, there are a few hotels at about £60/night. But making a weekend of it triples the price. Saturday nights in Dublin in December are a bit wild And very busy.  Harding on booking.com has a double room on Sunday for £58. Suss stayed there, apparently ok except for the bells....

Cheers mate that's a really kind offer. Let's hope there's a gig.

Don't know what to do. My Son and I are going to the U2 gig in Belfast 16th nov. But I am thinking about it. I'll see if any date's are running for Belfast 1st. I am of on hols 22/9/15. So have asked my son to look into the rats gig. Tickets go on sale 24/9/15

Hope to see everyone at the Olympia on 6 December. Personally I think the Olympia is a better venue than Vicar St(a place I don't really like). I used to go there a lot in the early nineties and have good memories of it. 

Seating and standing it holds 1600 so lets hope there is a good turn out. Should get proper music fans instead of the crowd you get at Rewind/Reload. No c**p to share the bill either, l and the Dun Laoghaire lads are  guaranteed headliners.

My friend has bought tickets for her and a friend, just behind us. I looked earlier and saw hers and ours only!!! Intimate or what? Ha ha! I need to get it out there on the BG page. Over 60,000 followers!

Jules wrote:

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Finally had go ahead to announce, after chasing up. Just Cork and Dublin, other one unlikely now.

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Seems like they can't be bothered putting it anywhere else though...

... ah well, it will make it easier getting tickets.

Jules wrote:

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Finally had go ahead to announce, after chasing up. Just Cork and Dublin, other one unlikely now.

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 So are you saying these 2 gigs are THE anniversary gig that we were asked to express an interest in on FB??

Jules wrote:

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It cNt be the Saturday after Cork, the Bobkatz are in Poland. Hopefully that rules out the Friday and Sunday. It could be Friday before Dublin?? Hope not.

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Funny how he does that playing with one band then the other on consecutive dates.  I doubt it will be on the same weekend as Dublin.  Maybe a weekend earlier or later.

Lisa wrote:

I just wish that, after stirring up a frenzy on facebook, they would give out some details. I wonder who is responsible for the planning of this - seems like it's either someone being a little disorganised or they're playing mindgames! In one way I hope it's the former which is more understandable. For my part it would just be good to have an idea as to whether it's do-able or not in terms of location, and also work/family/financial commitments, and I guess a lot of other people (especially those travelling from outside UK) have similar concerns.

I think disorganised.  I don't understand why a proposed anniversary gig was put up in this manner, yet two bonafide dates where tickets are on sale this week are not mentioned.  I suspect no one is responsible for the planning it just happens.

They have said the anniversary gig will be in London (I guess somewhere in Zone 1/2), so it's simply a matter of the date.  I suspect that if they are getting a road crew for the Dublin gig then it makes sense to have the London date at the same sort of time.  So it could be the week before or the week after.

Joke wrote Date: Thu Sep 17 8:06 PM, 2015

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I have heard there will be a gig in Cork as well, nov. 22 if I remember correctly. Possibly one in Belfast too.

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 I knew I saw that somehwere (In What Happens Next thread)

Lisa wrote:

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Jules wrote:

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Finally had go ahead to announce, after chasing up. Just Cork and Dublin, other one unlikely now.

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 So are you saying these 2 gigs are THE anniversary gig that we were asked to express an interest in on FB??

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 No, but as I guess you have read the proposed anniversary gig won't be taking place.  However there is the Dublin alternative, which IMHO is more appropriate.

They played at The Olympia in 1978, and tickets were a lot cheaper back then...

Courtesy of http://www.u2theearlydayz.com/boomtown-rats.html

Lisa wrote:

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And I do think the whole facebook thing was a little bit misjudged.

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 Not the first time the facebook activity was misjudged in my opinion.  

The problem for all the official sites/twitters/facebooks is they are seen as the mouthpiece of the act itself whereas the truth in many case is they are produced by keen volunteers who do their best to relay information.   I am not privy to the inner workings, but it was probably an idea they came up with to gauge possible interest and then took the realistic view that a thousand likes would probably result in an audience of about 200 and the whole thing wouldn't be worthwhile.

Jules wrote:

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IT wasn't clear whether you could request additional tickets. That might have helped, or how people not on FB (yes really, not everyone is on it) could get tickets.

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 I suspect they planned to do a gig without a promoter, and cos there weren't as many likes as expected, they just decided not to.  Good job they didn't promote it on this forum. probably only get a dozen replies!   It's not even that people aren't on Facebook, it just that they don't follow everything on it. I only heard of the gig on this forum.  Best source of information on the Rats by far.

noelindublin wrote:

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Geldof played the Olympia in autum 1993 as part of the Happy Club tour. The place was about half full and Geldof at one stage intoned in his laconic way 'Oh dear how the mighty have fallen...' then got on with the songs most people didn't know. 

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 At least it was half full back then!  I do respect Geldof for sticking with the solo band and playing gigs to sparsely populated venues. The shame is the solo show is pretty good on the whole, he plays a long set and there are some really good sections.  It probably needs a full house to generate a really good atmosphere as was the case when I went, but then again most bands need that including the Rats (Blackheath felt pretty desperate).

ArrGee wrote:

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Looking at the venue on Street View, there is a restaurant next door called Jules...

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 Might have to go in there . 

Tickets bought, flights booked etc etc.

noelindublin wrote:

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Lisa wrote:

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OK really confused now - didn't even know there were THREE gigs planned in Ireland ...

I just wish that, after stirring up a frenzy on facebook, they would give out some details. I wonder who is responsible for the planning of this - seems like it's either someone being a little disorganised or they're playing mindgames! In one way I hope it's the former which is more understandable. For my part it would just be good to have an idea as to whether it's do-able or not in terms of location, and also work/family/financial commitments, and I guess a lot of other people (especially those travelling from outside UK) have similar concerns.

Just as well I've recently started a yoga class - will try to sit up straight and chant OM to try to avoid the stress - or should that be OMG?!

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 Funny you mention yoga Lisa. I have taken it up too recently, and now am on my second full month of practice.It is absolutely fantastic for creating a sense of wellbeing and dealing with stress. I just do it at home but I might attend a class to perfect some of the moves. I can do probably about 30 asanas(poses) at a beginners/intermediate level. I do about 4/5 new asanas per week and love the challenge, though you are really only 'competing' with  yourself. I feel a lot  calmer and more 'together' since I have taken up yoga. Up and down dog, camel, seal but unfortunately no rat pose.

I also go jogging about twice a week as well, but yoga is utterly fantastic, and worth persevering with. Namaste

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 Ah great minds think alike, Noel!  Actually I'm not sure I'll be much good at it - we had to do an arched cat back pose, but I have trouble visualising what position I'm in!  And my mat was too close to my friend's so we had a fit of giggles as I managed to end up in an undignified heap trying to avoid crashing into her!  The group is very friendly though so we didn't get thrown out - they just ignored us giggling, but in a nice way! Anyway I felt very calm doing the shopping afterwards but it didn't last through dinner as my boys ended up squabbling with each other! Wouldn't mind but they're 20 and 16   Maybe I need to do a class each day to cope with the stress ....  Very impressed that you go jogging too - I've thought about it but that's as far as I've got

Jules wrote:

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ArrGee wrote:d

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Jules wrote:

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Tickets bought, flights booked etc etc.

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Ditto.  45 euro though.  How do they justify the 5 euro/ticket fee?  Also a bit odd that those in Ireland can print their tickets, yet mine get mailed.   Could have opted for box office collect I guess so I don't forget them.

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 Would prefer not to be hanging around for box office to open when there is a chance of getting VIP tickets if you get there early. Now, how early will I be waiting outside?

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Not sure if they will have VIP tickets. I will check beforehand. My flight lands at 3pm. I think 5pm would be early enough. I will be in Brogans and look out. When people start getting behind you I will down my pint and join the queue.

Jules wrote:

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I mean these ones where you get close to the stage. Don't think they're anything special other than that. Need to be in first 100 or so.

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 I know. This is what I read...

http://www.olympia.ie/venue-info/frequently-asked-questions/

How can I get a wristband into the front pit area for a standing show?

• For standing shows, we have an area in the Stalls level in front of the stage called the pit, it is a sectioned off space at the front of the auditorium which gives a great view of the artists.

  Wristbands/pit passes are allocated to a limited number of Stalls standing ticketholders on a first come serve basis on the night of the show. We would recommend to be in with a chance to get a wristband that you arrive early on the night around doors opening time (usually 7pm), as those who are first into the Stalls standing area when the doors open could get lucky and be given a wristband. Please note however, we cannot guarantee you will be given a wristband.

-- Edited by ArrGee on Thursday 24th of September 2015 01:46:45 PM

I have just bought a ticket from Ticketmaster Ireland. It is for 'ground floor, standing' . 40 euros plus 5 service charge. There's a good chance my brother will be coming along as well. Ground floor standing is good enough for me.

noelindublin wrote:

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Not sure if you are travelling on Cryin' Air, they only accept passports between UK/IRE and vice versa. Aer lingus will accept a driving licence and other forms of id as will most other airlines. You probably know this already.

More daylight robbery is the 'service charges' for tickets, not to mention the registered delivery charges they try to flog as well. I'll trust the Irish postal service to deliver my ticket without bloody insuring it. They don't ever give you the option of printing your own tickets.

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 Yep, Ryanair.  I could take a chance that they wouldn't note the expiry date, but they are pretty sharp on things like you bag being 1 gram overweight or 1mm too wide, so best not chance it.  Aer Lingus have a cheapish return flight out of Gatwick, but it would cast me more then £80 to get there and back.

Luckily no delivery charges from ticketmonster for this gig, but oddly only the Irish can print their tickets.  The rest of the world have to have them delivered or collect at the box office.

IrelandCalling wrote:

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Absolutely fantastic news!!! I hadn't checked Rats news in a few weeks; then last night, browsing the forum, I see the Olympia and the 40th Anniversary show! Onto TM immediately and got myself a ticket :)

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 Tickets seem to be shifting despite the lack of publicity.  Circle sold back to the ninth row last night, only five rows left...

For anyone hanging on before booking travel word is, sadly, that Belfast gig not happening (would have been 4/12) so weekend in Dublin it is.

Seems like a few going. I love this forum

suss wrote:

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For anyone hanging on before booking travel word is, sadly, that Belfast gig not happening (would have been 4/12) so weekend in Dublin it is.

Seems like a few going. I love this forum

 

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 I am going to organise a meal out for those of us there on Saturday evening.  Hope you will be up for that.  Arrgee, when are you arriving?

suss wrote:

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Will you be able to do Dublin anyway?

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suss wrote:

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Great...shaping up to be biggest fan meet since IOW or Cork (2013).

Sadly I'll miss any Saturday shenanigans as only arriving 10.30 Sunday, as is Wes, so will await instructions for any Sunday meet, although Brogan's look a favourite.

Off top of my head I make it Jules and Mr Jules, Scottie (one time forum stalwart), ArrGee (full time forum stalwart), me, Wes, Melv and Mrs Melv, IrelandCalling, NoelinDublin, manatthetop.....any I've missed?

 

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 Haven't heard from MusicMania but I suspect she might come along. I've bought  a ticket for my brother though he is unsure at the moment if he will be able to attend. Most likely he will , all going well. From about 6 December people in Ireland tend to go awal from work.

Good shout - I forgot how popular Forum gig was with the local afficionados, and indeed Roundhouse before that. Oxford academy mustered a fair few too.

Be good if others on here were happy to make themselves known. More the merrier and all that.

Jules wrote:

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I will sort something out for Saturday, for those who will be there then - quite a lot I believe. Will probably eat early on Sunday and pop in for a drink down the road, where we can see the venue and if anyone dares to go ahead of me in the queue .

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I don't suppose you could run into the pub and let us know when others join the queue?  Or just call someone?  

I'll say hello as I go into the pub at 5pm

ArrGee wrote:

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 Rough Guide to Dublin

 

The Pub                               The Restauant      The Box Office       The Venue

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 The pub is next door!  Nothing across the road except some official looking buildings.  

suss wrote:

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Great...shaping up to be biggest fan meet since IOW or Cork (2013).

Sadly I'll miss any Saturday shenanigans as only arriving 10.30 Sunday, as is Wes, so will await instructions for any Sunday meet, although Brogan's look a favourite.

Off top of my head I make it Jules and Mr Jules, Scottie (one time forum stalwart), ArrGee (full time forum stalwart), me, Wes, Melv and Mrs Melv, IrelandCalling, NoelinDublin, manatthetop.....any I've missed?

 

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 Anyway it won't be the same as IOW or Cork, because I will not be there this time 

Can't make Cork or Dublin, due to work and move plans. Hoping for a lot more gigs next year, where I can hopefully meet all of you again! 

Enjoy, I'll be there in spirit 

ArrGee wrote:

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suss wrote:

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Great...shaping up to be biggest fan meet since IOW or Cork (2013).

 

.. will await instructions for any Sunday meet, although Brogan's look a favourite.

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I thought there were more people at the Forum last year than at Cork.  But I suppose I turn up so late, most have already gone.

I will be at Brogan's Bar given its proximity to the venue and it will be about 5pm by the time I get to town.   Trouble with so many going is there could be a bit of a scramble for the pit wristbands...

 

... so I suggest everyone meet in Baggot Street and when I see you all coming down Dame Street, I'll jump to the front of the queue

I suppose everyone will be stalking post-gig, but if there's anyone who is just planning to go to the pub like me,  I was thinking of Oliver St. John Gogarty  or The Temple Bar mainly cos I know they are both open late.  Another alternative is Whelan's Bar, which is a bit of a trek, but they do have some decent music on until the small hours. Do any locals have any alternative recommendations?  (Remembering it is Sunday night)

 

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 I think you'd be lucky to get anywhere open after 1am on Monday mornings in Dublin.If you're getting an early flight back to Stanstead maybe the best bet is Isaac's hostel. It is just beside the bus station for the 747 to the airport. 

A  bed in a shared dorm  is betweent 10-15  euros if you book directly in advance. Also ArrGee if my brother does can not attend the gig you are welcome to the ticket but I will not know for a while if he is going or not. 

If you've got a bit of money then you could follow your heroes footsteps and stay at The Gresham.  They stayed at Blooms Hotel , Temple Bar, according to Geldof around the time of the Leixlip concert and Phoenix Park/Leopardstown concert cancellation fiaco. 

suss wrote:

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Off top of my head I make it Jules and Mr Jules, Scottie (one time forum stalwart), ArrGee (full time forum stalwart), me, Wes, Melv and Mrs Melv, IrelandCalling, NoelinDublin, manatthetop.....any I've missed?

 

 Yes, we'll be there, really looking forward to meeting everyone. We're arriving early evening Saturday so hoping to meet up with Jules and a few others then and the rest on Sunday.

 

And ArrGee wrote: 

I suppose everyone will be stalking post-gig, but if there's anyone who is just planning to go to the pub like me

Will probably take the option of a pint with ArrGee after though no doubt Mrs Melv will be stalking for any selfies she can as those who know her from FB will testify!

Melv

Melv wrote:

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ArrGee wrote: 

I suppose everyone will be stalking post-gig, but if there's anyone who is just planning to go to the pub like me...

Will probably take the option of a pint with ArrGee after though no doubt Mrs Melv will be stalking for any selfies she can as those who know her from FB will testify!

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Good News!  If that's the case, we can go back to Brogan's until she had her fill of selfies.  Can head off to Whelan's or wherever afterwards.