2025 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Irish new wave band The Boomtown Rats, led by Bob Geldof. The group not too long ago introduced an anniversary tour throughout the U.Okay., and the celebrations will proceed with the discharge of their new compilation file The First 50 Years: Songs of Boomtown Glory.
The album can be out there as a 24 observe 2LP and 27-track 2CD. All tracks had been chosen by the band themselves, and the gatefold sleeve will function model new commentary from the members. The file guarantees an intensive take a look at their profession, from their first single “Lookin’ After No. 1” to their most up-to-date, 2023’s “There’s No Tomorrow Like Today.”
The Boomtown Rats are Geldof, Pete Briquette, and Simon Crowe, whereas previous members included Garry Roberts, Johnnie Fingers and Gerry Cott. As younger males out of Dún Laoghaire, Eire, the group performed their first live performance on October thirty first, 1975 at Bolton Avenue Campus in Dublin. They took their title from Woody Guthrie’s semi-autobiographical novel Sure for Glory.
They quickly signed to Ensign Data, and by 1978 they grew to become the primary Irish group to succeed in the U.Okay. No. 1 spot with their fifth single, “Rat Trap.” It was moreover the primary new wave observe to assert the highest spot. Their follow-up single, 1979’s “I Don’t Like Mondays,” additionally reached No. 1.
Geldof famously organized 1985’s Reside Help profit live performance, the place The Boomtown Rats carried out alongside Queen, David Bowie, Elton John, and extra icons. The group performed their “final” present at 1986’s Self Help profit in Eire, however in the end reunited a long time later in 2013.
The not too long ago introduced fiftieth anniversary tour will see the group visiting 12 theaters throughout the U.Okay., kicking issues off at Nottingham’s Royal Live performance Corridor on October tenth earlier than persevering with on to Glasgow, Manchester, Cambridge, and extra cities. On October thirty first, 2024, they may play London’s Eventim Apollo 50 years to the day after their first ever live performance.
Order the Boomtown Rats compilation The First 50 Years: Songs of Boomtown Glory now.
