2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Irish new wave band The Boomtown Rats, led by Bob Geldof. The group recently announced an anniversary tour across the U.K., and the celebrations will continue with the release of their new compilation record The First 50 Years: Songs of Boomtown Glory.
The album will be available as a 24 track 2LP and 27-track 2CD. All tracks were selected by the band themselves, and the gatefold sleeve will feature brand new commentary from the members. The record promises an extensive look at their career, from their first single “Lookin’ After No. 1” to their most recent, 2023’s “There’s No Tomorrow Like Today.”
The Boomtown Rats are Geldof, Pete Briquette, and Simon Crowe, while past members included Garry Roberts, Johnnie Fingers and Gerry Cott. As young men out of Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, the group played their first concert on October 31st, 1975 at Bolton Street Campus in Dublin. They took their name from Woody Guthrie’s semi-autobiographical novel Bound for Glory.
They soon signed to Ensign Records, and by 1978 they became the first Irish group to reach the U.K. No. 1 spot with their fifth single, “Rat Trap.” It was additionally the first new wave track to claim the top spot. Their follow-up single, 1979’s “I Don’t Like Mondays,” also reached No. 1.
Geldof famously organized 1985’s Live Aid benefit concert, where The Boomtown Rats performed alongside Queen, David Bowie, Elton John, and more icons. The group played their “final” show at 1986’s Self Aid benefit in Ireland, but ultimately reunited decades later in 2013.
The recently announced 50th anniversary tour will see the group visiting 12 theaters across the U.K., kicking things off at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall on October 10th before continuing on to Glasgow, Manchester, Cambridge, and more cities. On October 31st, 2024, they will play London’s Eventim Apollo 50 years to the day after their first ever concert.
Order the Boomtown Rats compilation The First 50 Years: Songs of Boomtown Glory now.