10 Feb 2025
RECORD STORE DAY 2025
The Boomtown Rats - Dawn Of The Rats (Demos, B-sides & Live 1975-1979)
In October 2025, The Boomtown Rats will celebrate 50 years of being together. Earlier in the year, the group announced a ‘The First 50 Years: Songs Of Boomtown Glory’. Now, for Record Store Day 2025, the rats announce ‘Dawn Of The Rats’.
For the first time ever on vinyl, their demo live tape from the era can be heard! These 4 demos were a huge part of The Boomtown Rats, and were the recordings that resulted in their signing to Ensign Records.
The four tracks are complimented with a live performance at Moran’s Hotel, just off Dublin’s O’Connell Street; Robert Parker’s Barefootin’ is delivered with a raucous energy that nods to both the Stooges and Dr Feelgood. The collection is rounded out with a selection of B-sides, many of which have never appeared on CD or LP.
Releasing on transparent green vinyl, get your copy at participating record stores on April 12th 2025.
26 December 2024
THE BOOMTOWN RATS PERFORM ON JOOLS' ANNUAL HOOTENANNY
Jools sees in 2025 with his annual Hootenanny, joined by a variety of musical guests
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra welcome in the new year with Jools’ Annual Hootenanny.
Jools counts down the seconds to midnight with a stellar line-up of artists and a celebrity audience to offer predictions and resolutions for the coming year.
It's set to be the best New Year’s Eve party for viewers to enjoy from the comfort of their homes.
What time is Jools' Annual Hootenanny on?
You can join Jools and his special guests from 11.30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday 31 December 2024.
Who's in the Hootenanny 2024 line-up?
This year’s show will see performances from a rich mix of legends, brand new stars and artists who have had huge success in 2024. Performing on the show will be The Boomtown Rats, CMAT, Jade, Jungle, Kathy Sledge, Marc Almond, Paul Carrack, Roger Taylor of Queen, Ruby Turner and Toby Lee.
20 December 2024
THE FIRST 50 YEARS: SONGS OF BOOMTOWN GLORY
ANNOUNCING THE ULTIMATE BOOMTOWN COLLECTION! PRE-ORDER NOW!
Get ready to celebrate 50 rat years with THE FIRST 50 YEARS: SONGS OF BOOMTOWN GLORY – a brand new career spanning compilation celebrating highlights of the group’s storied career.
The Boomtown Rats were one of the most successful bands of the 1970s in the UK, as central to the decade’s dying embers as Chic, Abba, The Clash, The Specials and The Jam. Their grown-up new wave and real time stories captured the imagination of a mass audience in a way that many of their peers did not. Before Band Aid Bob, Live Aid Bob and Global Treasure Bob, there was, and always will be, Bobby Boomtown. As the leader of The Rats, Bob Geldof led his band of Dublin post-punkers right to the very top of the UK charts. THE FIRST 50 YEARS: SONGS OF BOOMTOWN GLORY is a 24 track 2LP, and 27-track 2CD that celebrates the highlights of the group’s storied career.
2025 marks their fiftieth anniversary – Geldof, Pete Briquette and Simon Crowe, and for a long while with Garry Roberts, Johnnie Fingers and Gerry Cott – were one of the most inventive, snarling rock’n’roll bands to emerge during punk. THE FIRST 50 YEARS: SONGS OF BOOMTOWN GLORY is a fabulous celebration of one of the most singular, unmistakeable groups ever, who, as Geldof announces on a regular basis are “the greatest rock’nroll band in the world… from Dún Laoghaire!” In its gatefold sleeve with brand new artwork and commentary, all tracks have been selected by the band themselves. Released to coincide with their 50th anniversary tour, this is the very best of the Boomtown Rats and a one-stop shop of their words and melodies.
2 December 2024
HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY!
Announcing the Anniversary Tour
Get ready to celebrate 50 Years of The Boomtown Rats, fronted by Sir Bob Geldof, expect an unforgettable tour that you do NOT want to miss!
“Never boring, vocally volatile and unpredictable” frontman Bob Geldof and iconic new wave rock band, The Boomtown Rats, became one of the biggest groups of the late 70s-80s, with a string of top ten hits and platinum albums, earning them Brit, Ivor Novello and Grammy awards. This phenomenal Rat collective hit the road in October and November 2025, for a series of 12 exhilarating live theatre concerts across the UK, launching at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall on 10th October and wrapping up in Liverpool at the Olympia on 15th November, with a very special appearance in London at the Apollo on 31st October, that coincides with the band’s anniversary of their first EVER gig in Ireland 50 years to the day!
This is not just any ordinary tour - it's a celebration of their musical legacy, relive the magic of the Rats, with an exclusive Boomtown Rats documentary screening highlighting never before seen footage, taking you on an evocative journey through the band's extraordinary history. It’s the perfect opener to the uproarious performances that will follow! and an opportunity to create memories with fellow fans.
