BOOM BOOM!

Bob Geldof leads The Boomtown Rats through 50th anniversary celebration

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The Boomtown Rats

London Hammersmith

Eventim Apollo

31/10/25

A Halloween treat saw fans given artistic rat masks to don as The Boomtown Rats celebrated their 50th anniversary with an informative documentary film, followed by an impassioned concert. The screen featured a birthday cake and rats scurrying out, as the band thumped on with the sax appeal of an energised Rat Trap, bringing the gathering to their feet. Joining a fiery Bob Geldof for the party were original members, Pete Briquette (bass) and Simon Crowe (drums), along with four other newer Rats, who left their teeth marks on every song. Geldof was on his knees for the harmonica blues bliss of (She's Gonna) Do You In, and the unit really gelled on the smoky Monster Monkeys. The haunting drama of I Don't Like Mondays snuck in mid-set, and the fun punk strut of She's So Modern was followed by the reggae ride of Banana Republic and cheery Diamond Smiles. A Booming night, indeed. Mark Taylor

Adam Ant, Toyah

Bournemouth BIC

23/10/25

Highway robbery. Great support came from Toyah, who was in fine voice and set the crowd up for the main event with her stellar pop-rock hits of yore. But Ant’s band, with twin drummers, for the next 90 minutes, couldn't rescue what sounded like a very poor pub singer. Never in tune and often not really singing at all, it was a huge disappointment for Ant fans. Some voted with their feet and left early. Those that remained provided the only tuneful singing for an encore of Stand And Deliver. Sadly, he didn’t, and most of us felt robbed. Matt Broad

Sting

Bangkok UOB

Live, Thailand

25/9/25