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Didn't play Lookin' After No. 1 nor Mary of the Fourth Form. No Joey either. But mercifully no Trash Glam Baby. Not too much off last LP (Monster Monkeys and the eponymous song), which is good, however still persisting with the abysmal Whole Fcuking World dirge. I would go to bar for that one, but the prices are ridiculous. So that will be a sit down.
For the record
Rat Trap
Eva Braun
Clockwork
Neon Heart
Do You In
Monster Monkeys
Someone's Looking
Mondays
Whole Fcuking World
Close As You'll Ever Be
When The Night Comes
She's So Modern
Banana Republic
Diamond Smiles
Boomtown Rats
I expect much the same on other dates, though there may be a little extra at Hammersmith on the birthday gig.
Went to the Symphony Hall in Birmingham and can report that the setlist was identical to Nottingham. Good show overall but the acoustics were disappointing. Good range of merchandise in the foyer.
It really is time to include more from Mondo Bongo and begin airing V Deep and In the Long Grass tracks or else how is this representative of all the 50 years?
Went to the Symphony Hall in Birmingham and can report that the setlist was identical to Nottingham. Good show overall but the acoustics were disappointing. Good range of merchandise in the foyer.
It really is time to include more from Mondo Bongo and begin airing V Deep and In the Long Grass tracks or else how is this representative of all the 50 years?
The problem with a 15 song set and playing the 5 top ten hits, it leaves just 10 songs. Personally I would ditch the Whole Fcuking World and the eponymous song to free up space for one one from V Deep (House on Fire) and one from Long Grass (Dave/Drag Me Down). But then again I would rather hear Joey, Mary and Number One ahead of them. Or better still just play the first two LPs with B-sides and Someone's Looking.
I don't think The Rats will be re-visiting the 4th, 5th and 6th LPs again as I can't see them doing another headline tour.
PS what were the stage times? I plan to get there in time for the film.
So approximately, but reasonably accurate, support act The Horn 7.10pm, documentary (a self - congratulatory mash up of hits, video clips, TOTP clips, You Tube clips etc with no running commentary as 'documentary' would suggest) was at 8.20pm after 10 minute interval and band took to the stage at 9.20pm after 20 minute interval and played until 10.40pm.
Like yourself, I would ditch The Whole etc and The techno-poor TBR song and Do You In and put in
House on Fire
Drag Me Down
Elephants Graveyard
Looking After No. 1
Trim down Diamond Smiles to allow if really necessary. Although Do You In would provide capacity as it seemed to go on for ages. Too long, it spoiled the song.
When the Night comes was surprisingly good, melodic keyboard flourishes. Got one of the best rounds of applause of the night.
Like yourself, I would ditch The Whole etc and The techno-poor TBR song and Do You In and put in
House on Fire
Drag Me Down
Elephants Graveyard
Looking After No. 1
Trim down Diamond Smiles to allow if really necessary. Although Do You In would provide capacity as it seemed to go on for ages. Too long, it spoiled the song.
When the Night comes was surprisingly good, melodic keyboard flourishes. Got one of the best rounds of applause of the night.
I would trim down Diamond Smiles by not playing it at all
Very surprised Number One has been dropped from the set list. And Mary. And FWIW, I think Joey is far superior to When The Night Comes.
Aside from V Deep and Long Grass being totally omitted since 2013, there are plenty of other glaring omissions like Dont Believe What You Read and Blind Date. The last time I Can Make It If You Can was played live was the last Dublin performance of the Bradley Rats in 2012, which was a superb night.
You probably wont be too surprised to know that twelve of the fifteen songs on the current set list were played at the 40th anniversary gig. Its a pity nothings changed. (Well not much)
So approximately, but reasonably accurate, support act The Horn 7.10pm, documentary (a self - congratulatory mash up of hits, video clips, TOTP clips, You Tube clips etc with no running commentary as 'documentary' would suggest) was at 8.20pm after 10 minute interval and band took to the stage at 9.20pm after 20 minute interval and played until 10.40pm.
Great, will get to Hammersmith for 7pm. I was expecting the Citizens of Boomtown to be screened again.
Like yourself, I would ditch The Whole etc and The techno-poor TBR song and Do You In and put in
House on Fire
Drag Me Down
Elephants Graveyard
Looking After No. 1
Trim down Diamond Smiles to allow if really necessary. Although Do You In would provide capacity as it seemed to go on for ages. Too long, it spoiled the song.
When the Night comes was surprisingly good, melodic keyboard flourishes. Got one of the best rounds of applause of the night.
I would trim down Diamond Smiles by not playing it at all
Very surprised Number One has been dropped from the set list. And Mary. And FWIW, I think Joey is far superior to When The Night Comes.
Aside from V Deep and Long Grass being totally omitted since 2013, there are plenty of other glaring omissions like Dont Believe What You Read and Blind Date. The last time I Can Make It If You Can was played live was the last Dublin performance of the Bradley Rats in 2012, which was a superb night.
You probably wont be too surprised to know that twelve of the fifteen songs on the current set list were played at the 40th anniversary gig. Its a pity nothings changed. (Well not much)
I think Diamond Smiles as a catchy show-stopper works and is an audience favourite. Gives Geldof the opportunity to name check the individual band members in gratitude, but it does go on a bit.
Agree with your other comments. If the 60th anniversary tour goes ahead with Geldof at 84, you do realise it will be the Diamond Miles tour with a show-stopping, rambling 20 minutes version of the Mondays follow-up. And Mary, now 85, of the 4th form will criminally still not feature. The icicle in the sun will virtually have melted. Geldof will accurately croak out 'it's been 60 f**king years and nothing's changed'. Including the setlist it seems.
Like yourself, I would ditch The Whole etc and The techno-poor TBR song and Do You In and put in
House on Fire
Drag Me Down
Elephants Graveyard
Looking After No. 1
Trim down Diamond Smiles to allow if really necessary. Although Do You In would provide capacity as it seemed to go on for ages. Too long, it spoiled the song.
When the Night comes was surprisingly good, melodic keyboard flourishes. Got one of the best rounds of applause of the night.
I would trim down Diamond Smiles by not playing it at all
Very surprised Number One has been dropped from the set list. And Mary. And FWIW, I think Joey is far superior to When The Night Comes.
Aside from V Deep and Long Grass being totally omitted since 2013, there are plenty of other glaring omissions like Dont Believe What You Read and Blind Date. The last time I Can Make It If You Can was played live was the last Dublin performance of the Bradley Rats in 2012, which was a superb night.
You probably wont be too surprised to know that twelve of the fifteen songs on the current set list were played at the 40th anniversary gig. Its a pity nothings changed. (Well not much)
I think Diamond Smiles as a catchy show-stopper works
Works for me as far as stopping the show as I head for the exit knowing the eponymous song is on the way
Geldof will accurately croak out 'it's been 60 f**king years and nothing's changed'. Including the setlist it seems.
I have really enjoyed the Barton Rats, the Bradbury Rats and the Bobby Boomtown Rats but I think Hammersmith will be the last Rats gig for me. I didnt expect any after the 40th anniversary show in Dublin, yet there have been a good few. Its possible they are a support/festival act somewhere and I see them again but it feels like diminishing returns. I see they are in Kilkenny in January but I dont have any reason to be there, but should the Rats turf up in Dublin in late February 2026 I may see them again.
The shocking thing for me is I have seen the Rats more in my 40s, 50s and 60s than I did as a teenager
It feels an odd decision not to include the all of the 9 top 20 hits for the more casual fan. Although, I think it's a good song, I'm wondering if the lyrical content of 'Mary' in this day and age has lead to it being removed from the set.
I am surprised 'Drag Me Down' isn't on the setlist given that it is the 40th anniversary of Live Aid and all the press the anniversary has received.
There are songs like 'Eva Braun', 'When The Night Comes' and 'Joey' that weren't hits that I love hearing live. But outside of those, as a big fan, I'd love to hear anything I haven't heard. I wasn't able to see them the first time around, but since the 2013 reunion, they have played 'Kicks', and 'The Elephant's Graveyard' that I haven't heard.
I like the 'CoB' album, but thought 'She Said No' would be a more lively recent cut that 'Monster Monkeys'.
I'd love to hear 'Dave', 'Drag Me Down', 'A Hold Of Me', 'Never In A Million Years'. I don't know if the London show might have more variety. Really excited they are back for the tour though.
I would probably lose 'The Boomtown Rats' song and just have it as walk on music for a moment.
-- Edited by Rats Fan on Thursday 16th of October 2025 12:53:18 AM
Joey,Mary and Lookin After No 1 should all be played live.Monster Monkeys is without doubt the best track on COB but for me is not a good live song.Drag Me Down should be bought back as well.
Joey,Mary and Lookin After No 1 should all be played live.Monster Monkeys is without doubt the best track on COB but for me is not a good live song.Drag Me Down should be bought back as well.
Totally agree. The Barton Rats and The Bradbury Rats always played them, sometimes twice in a night. And Geldof used to always play Mary and Joey at his solo gigs (not sure about Number One).
Personally, I think those pre- Bobby Boomtown Rats set lists were pretty much perfect. Sure there could have been a few choice tracks off A Tonic for The Troops like Eva Braun and Howard Hughes, but there wasn't a song I didn't want to hear, even the Feelgood covers.
Drag Me Down hasn't been played live this century so I wouldn't expect it to be brought back.
...though there may be a little extra at Hammersmith on the birthday gig.
Wrong!
For the record at Hammersmith Odeon
Rat Trap
Eva Braun
Clockwork
Neon Heart
Do You In
Monster Monkeys
Someone's Looking
Mondays
Whole Fcuking World
She's So Modern
Banana Republic
Diamond Smiles
Boomtown Rats
No encore. Nothing special for the 50th anniversary. Once again felt a bit short changed at a London headline gig. Divine Comedy did twice as much recently, ditto suede. I was really enjoying it until the Whole Fcuking World song.
Went to the Symphony Hall in Birmingham and can report that the setlist was identical to Nottingham. Good show overall but the acoustics were disappointing. Good range of merchandise in the foyer.
I thought similar last night, especially on Do You In, probably sound desk. That written, the band were pretty tight musically, and Geldof was in pretty good voice.
I don't know how long the show was, but for a 50th anniversary party it seemed short. Maybe just over an hour. I don't expect Springsteen 4 hour sets, but given the likes of The Damned and The Stranglers did 30+ songs on their anniversary gigs, The Rats could have stretched to 16 and done an encore with Mary, Number One and Joey ( and let the sax player earn his fee).
I was also surprised at no encore.Being the 50th I thought they might play a musical surprise being that it was the 50th anniversary gig.With all those mask Do The Rat could have been a blast.
The band were in remarkable form and Geldof is really charismatic. I was surprised the set was so short. I don't live in London and it did make it really hard for me getting home because they came on stage at 9.20pm.
I absolutely love the music. To sell out so many dates especially Hammersmith is a huge achievement. I'd still dare most bands to be able to go on stage after them. They are brilliant performers.
I must admit personally I would have liked a few amendments to the setlist... I believe Hammersmith is around 3600 capacity, it's a lot of people and their reputation/Geldof's fame and increased media appearances have helped to shift the tickets. The hits also play a big role in that... it does make me more surprised that 'Lookin After Number One', 'Mary' aren't included.
I enjoy 'Neon Heart' and 'She's Gonna Do You In' but if you are shortening the setlist it feels surprising to keep them in and not have the hits.
As a big fan, I missed 'Joey' and do agree when someone commented it would make the most of having a sax player. It's the best song on their first album.
'Do The Rat' in the masks would have been really fun.
I know others don't agree but I am a fan of the CoB album, but not especially 'Monster Monkeys'. 'She Said No' is bright and lively. I'd like to hear it live.
If they are going to for songs like 'Neon Heart', 'Monster Monkeys' and 'She's Gonna Do You In' that weren't hits, that's great, but I wouldn't mind if they changed them up a bit.
I'd enjoy 'Dave', 'Drag Me Down', 'Kicks', 'Do The Rat', 'Blind Date', 'Here's A Postcard', 'Elephant's Graveyard', 'Never In A Million Years'. Obviously the hits will get a response, but audiences got involved in the lesser known ones too. I wouldn't mind if they explored more.
Having said that, I've never seen a live band better and I've been fortunate to see a lot. I'm going to York and I'm really looking forward to it. They are brilliant on stage and I love they have had a sell out 50th anniversary tour.
The band were in remarkable form and Geldof is really charismatic.
If they are going to for songs like 'Neon Heart', 'Monster Monkeys' and 'She's Gonna Do You In' that weren't hits, that's great, but I wouldn't mind if they changed them up a bit. I'd enjoy 'Dave', 'Drag Me Down', 'Kicks', 'Do The Rat', 'Blind Date', 'Here's A Postcard', 'Elephant's Graveyard', 'Never In A Million Years'. Obviously the hits will get a response, but audiences got involved in the lesser known ones too. I wouldn't mind if they explored more.
Having said that, I've never seen a live band better and I've been fortunate to see a lot. I'm going to York and I'm really looking forward to it. They are brilliant on stage and I love they have had a sell out 50th anniversary tour.
The Rats were excellent up to a point, that point being the virtue signalling speech at the pause in Mondays. The person next to me walked out. The whole Fcking World Song is absolute sh!te and the whole gig fizzled out from there on in. The eponymous song is total cringe. The Stranglers and The Damned did 30+ song sets for their big anniversary gigs, and they both did encores after two full sets with an interval. Not a dozen songs and dicking around over a dance beat. And neither cost as much as £70.
The set has shrunk since 2013, and very few new old songs have been played. I suppose at least the 21st century songs were kept to a minimum though unfortunately two of the worst were played.
I have seen plenty of really good live bands this year and there are a dozen who were better than The Rats. Suede were so good, I bought a ticket for the following night while the concert was going on.
PS - Not all the gigs were sold out. Plenty of seats at Hammersmith were available at the back on website that morning.Don't Believe What You Read
I like the CoB album mostly. My only regret as Geldof fan is that he hasn't recorded and written more albums. The more material he releases, the happier I am. The eponymous song and 'Monster Monkeys' wouldn't have been my pick for the live shows but I love him writing.
The set could have been longer, but they were mighty onstage. I don't agree the set fizzled out after Mondays. Their version of 'Diamond Smiles' was very strong.
I would have chosen a different set but I'm not likely to ever be consulted!
I've seen Suede live and must admit they didn't really excite me, I couldn't get into it but each to their own.
I was sat at the back at Hammersmith and there really weren't more than the odd 1 or 2 seats here and there.
-- Edited by Rats Fan on Friday 7th of November 2025 12:39:34 AM
Obviously it is all subjective, but the best Rats gigs I have seen recently have not been the headline gigs (Palladium, Butlins, Hammersmith), but the festival gigs (Dagenham, Stone Valley). Never really like Diamond Smiles, so aside from Banana Republic and Shes So Modern there wasnt much after Mondays I liked that much and Shes So Modern was not performed that well ("shes so 2020s??).
Maybe I should have left after Mondays.
PS - not just Suede, I just was explaining that their gig was that good, I had to see it again. I wasnt tempted to do likewise with The Rats.
I really like Against The World live and Monster Monkeys sounded better live than I expected.Whether one likes the track The Boomtown Rats or not it does get the crowd going.I
I had my Danish nephew with me and he gave it 10 out of 10 and thought Monster Monkeys was superb.I really enjoyed the concert but Hurtwood Polo was better.
I must agree on Derek's comments. On vinyl The Boomtown Rats song has never done it for me BUT LIVE and it really got me going. The crowd went mad for it. The song is very unBoomtiwn-like but the high tempo was superb.
Again, Against the World I wouldn't put in as one of my top Rats songs -it's a high bar to reach - but it's OK on vinyl. However again live it does come alive.
I enjoyed the Hammersmith gig immensely. A little too short....maybe....sorry don't want to go too Eva Braun...but the quality is still there.
Probably not as good as good as when I last saw them at the Roundhouse but that was about 12 years ago and age does take its toll. However, if you have never seen them before that was a very good live gig.
Whether one likes the track The Boomtown Rats or not it does get the crowd going.
Normally gets me going to the exit. I only hung around thinking they might do an encore as it was 50th anniversary. Its just horrible noise. And the Whole Fcuking World song is the same. I dont know anyone could prefer either to Joeys On The Street Again or Looking After No. 1 or Mary of The 4th Form or pretty much 90% of the Rats catalogue just because of the crowd reaction. I would rather listen to Showaddywaddy.
I think the crowd reaction is what makes for a good live gig. For example, Diamond Smiles is towards the bottom of my preferred singles BUT played live and the ending guitar rift is fantastic.
On that note I reckon if Someone's Looking At You was the follow-up to Mondays the Rats might have had their third number one.
I reckon if Someone's Looking At You was the follow-up to Mondays the Rats might have had their third number one.
Had the Rats released Joeys On The Street Again between Rat Trap and Mondays, they would have had three consecutive #1s. Would have been better than Bright Eyes which somehow was #1 for 6 weeks in the midst of punk/new wave. Not sure Someones Looking would have been #1 with The Police releasing Walking on The Moon and Pink Floyds Another Brick in the Wall as competition. Blondies Union City Blue didnt make top ten and they were huge. However, Atomic in March was an absolute smash.
Anyway charts mean nothing. Heroes by Bowie peaked at #24 in 1977. Its probably Bowies greatest song!
