Thursday 31st October 2013- Leeds O2

Melv · Diamond Smiles

Thursday 31st October 2013- Leeds O2

suss · In the Long Grass

Thanks for the tip off Melv.

Any pubs to recommend near venue?

Melv · Diamond Smiles

suss wrote:
Thanks for the tip off Melv.
Any pubs to recommend near venue?

No problem. As for pubs, yes some good one's nearby. If you like real ale, Mr Foley's Cask Ale House 159 The Headrow is good for choice. Further down the road The Town Hall Tavern 17 Westgate does the full range of Taylors Beers and very near the venue The Victoria Hotel, on Great George Street is ok and does fairly good food.

Melv

Melv · Diamond Smiles

Probably should have mentioned that the doors open at 6.30pm which is probably an hour earlier than normal so hopefully everything will just run that much earlier which means a full set (e.g. Dublin) should be possible, let's hope so. I presume The Rats will therefore be on 8pm or just after?

Melv

suss · In the Long Grass

Again, thanks for the info. Hadn't even noticed door time on the ticket, but would still have assumed band on about 9pm (as about usual). Can well believe a few will get caught out.

Like the sound of the ale house, so would imagine I'll try a couple there then head to Victoria Hotel more or less en route for a bite.

Jules, do you want to make the Victoria Hotel, Great George St the designated meet if anyone's interested, and has time before it starts hmm ?

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

I will also note early doors.

Melv · Diamond Smiles

Yes, I'll be doing Mr Foleys and then The Vic so hopefully will meet a few fellow fans.

I don't know how long the set lasts for, but I'd assume one and a half hours total? If that's the case they'll obviously have to be on for 8.30? Either way it'll be best to get in the venue in good time I guess.

Really looking forward to this. I'm ashamed to say this will be the first time I've seen The Rats live though I bought most of the records when they were first released. My better half has met Bob though, some years ago at Meadowhall when he was doing a solo album signing in one of the stores and had a brief chat with him. I'll let her recount what the conversation consisted of if we get chance to say hello before the gig, but it wasn't anything about all the great music he'd produced! disbelief

Melv

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

The performances have been near enough 2 hours. However a curfew may curtail that somewhat?? Maybe an 8.15 start. It was 9.15 at Dublin.

Melv · Diamond Smiles

Thanks Jules, you're probably about right then.

Melv

noelindublin · Loudmouth

Well enjoy the gig Melv, and doubtless you'll be clubbing the night away afterwards. smile

-- Edited by noelindublin on Monday 21st of October 2013 04:16:21 PM

noelindublin · Loudmouth

Melv wrote:
It's worth noting that there's a curfew at 10:00 PM, so it's likely to be an earlier start than usual.
Glad to join this great forum.
Melv

Don't want to confuse things but the statement below if from the Leeds O2 website? A 10 pm curfew seems very odd confuse

SHOW TIMES / SUPPORT BANDS
For the majority of shows the doors open at 7pm with a curfew of 11pm. On nights when there are club events after a gig the curfew can be 10pm or 10:30pm.

Melv · Diamond Smiles

noelindublin wrote:
Melv wrote:
It's worth noting that there's a curfew at 10:00 PM, so it's likely to be an earlier start than usual.
Glad to join this great forum.
Melv

Don't want to confuse things but the statement below if from the Leeds O2 website? A 10 pm curfew seems very odd

SHOW TIMES / SUPPORT BANDS
For the majority of shows the doors open at 7pm with a curfew of 11pm. On nights when there are club events after a gig the curfew can be 10pm or 10:30pm.

Yes, there's a club event at the O2 starting at 11pm after the gig that night, so their website shows a curfew of 10pm for the gig with the doors opening at 6.30pm

See- http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/ZDH3110?brand=o2academyleeds&camefrom=CFC_UK_AMG_O2ACADEMYLEEDS_BOOMTOWNRATS

Melv

Melv · Diamond Smiles

noelindublin wrote:
Well enjoy the gig Melv, and doubtless you'll be clubbing the night away afterwards.

-- Edited by noelindublin on Monday 21st of October 2013 04:16:21 PM

Think I'll enjoy the gig, but not sure that the event afterwards will be my scene........... disbelief Maybe if it was 1979, I was 18 again and the venue was in its previous guise as the Town & Country Club I'd stay on smile

diffbrook · House on Fire

I'll be going to that gig, seeing as its on home turf. Thanks for the heads up about curfew. Cant wait until next week.

Melv · Diamond Smiles

diffbrook wrote:
I'll be going to that gig, seeing as its on home turf. Thanks for the heads up about curfew. Cant wait until next week.

I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully will meet a few people beforehand in the Victoria Hotel assuming this is the designated meeting place.

Melv · Diamond Smiles

36 hours to go! Is The Victoria Hotel on Great George Street the designated meet up before the gig? smile

Thanks

suss · In the Long Grass

Pretty sure Jules posted it would be on FB so we can consider it is. I'll aim to be in there by 5.30pm (poss earlier) and depending on work getaway/M1 I might even sneak in one at Mr Foley's first.

Hopefully see you in there. I'll probably have a black hoody with Rats logo if that helps.

Melv · Diamond Smiles

suss wrote:
Pretty sure Jules posted it would be on FB so we can consider it is. I'll aim to be in there by 5.30pm (poss earlier) and depending on work getaway/M1 I might even sneak in one at Mr Foley's first.
Hopefully see you in there. I'll probably have a black hoody with Rats logo if that helps.

Thanks, hope to see you in The Vic if not Mr Foley's then. My better half will probably be wearing a white Blondie T shirt, so hopefully we'll get to say hello.

Looking forward to it.

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

To everyone going to this gig all enjoy, and to the one's seeing them live for the 1st time you will be blown away

Melv · Diamond Smiles

Fantastic night and great to meet Suss for a beer beforehand!

The band were on top form, came on at 8.00pm and finished at 9.45pm.

Think I may have to do Doncaster next Thursday............. smile

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

diffbrook wrote:
I know everyone has their off days, but it was obvious to him that we had stayed outside for ages, we were wet through and cold.

I appreciate that I might have caught him on a bad day, and yes we all have our bad days, but it pis**ed me off as it was unnecessery. Simon and garry on the other hand were great, as was Bob.

If there is another tour, I'll still go, but I'll doubt if I will stay behind and wait around in the rain.

If Geldof is good at anything it is his ability to have pictures taken with all and sundry probably to the detriment of his own enjoyment. I don't really feel the need to hang around after any band probably because I might end up not liking them if I met them, but I have met Simon and Garry post gig after Bradbury/Barton Rats gigs and have found both to be really sound, and with Simon in particular had quite in-depth discussions about the band.

I haven't met Pete nor Bob, though in Cork, they both were in the same bar at the hotel and both were pretty amiable, even if Bob did step on my foot when he went to the bar smile

-- Edited by ArrGee on Monday 4th of November 2013 09:11:43 AM

diffbrook · House on Fire

Not sure how to review this. Due to my wife having back problems I sat in the balcony for the first time. Unfortunately the sound was terrible. I could barely make out what Bob was saying let alone singing and couldn't make out Simons snaredrum. Maybe it was the Perspex that was slightly covering the front of the balcony or maybe it was due to being near the roof, but it really took the enjoyment out of the gig. Never sitting again, cos I didn't feel part of the show.

Left the gig and went for the car, and passed the stage door. Waited awhile until so much time had passed that we decided to wait for the rats come what may. It started to rain, which wasn't great. The rats finally came out and Pete, Simon, Gary and the others walked straight onto the mini bus. Bob stayed outside and signed autographs, had pics taken etc. maybe the others didn't expect anyone to ask them for their autograph. Anyway, I managed to talk to Gary and Simon as they sat in the bus, with the sliding door open. Both Gary and Simon were really good blokes, really happy about the Leeds reaction and seemed quite humble about it all. Pete on the other hand was a really moody bugger, Tutted about my wife taking his picture (ok the flash was in his eye for a second or two) and generally seemed that this was just another gig. The fact that we had stayed behind in the wet and cold seemed to pass him by.

I'm sorry if this is really negative, but I had high hopes for this and had waited 28 years to see them, only to have a crap seating/hearing experience and a base player who really seemed not to give a toss about his fans. I thought it was Bob who was supposed to be the moody one, but at least he made the effort and got as wet as we were.

Steve

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

Steve I'm sorry that was so disappointing. If it helps, I take codeine before I go to each gig and have additional paracetamol in my bag, due to back issues. It has really helped tremendously. Wouldn't want to be up in the balcony. It's unlike Pete to be so moody, he's normally friendly. You must have caught him on a bad day. They're a bunch of really nice people, all of them.

Ian D · House on Fire

No offence but I think many people would have tutted if they got an unexpected bright flash of light in their eyes! I wouldn't take it to heart though, you have only met him for a very few brief seconds. Maybe ask him next time if you could take a picture? Maybe Having My Picture Taken isn't a favourite of Pete's!!

diffbrook · House on Fire

Ian. It wasn't an unexpected bright light in the eye and my wife did ask. It was obvious he really didn't want his picture taken, but went along with it. She was gonna say "don't bother" as she couldn't care less about the Rats nor their music, but took the picture for me. I know everyone has their off days, but it was obvious to him that we had stayed outside for ages, we were wet through and cold.

I appreciate that I might have caught him on a bad day, and yes we all have our bad days, but it pis**ed me off as it was unnecessery. Simon and garry on the other hand were great, as was Bob.

If there is another tour, I'll still go, but I'll doubt if I will stay behind and wait around in the rain.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

Did you meet Alan and Darren. They're very nice.

diffbrook · House on Fire

Didn't meet Alan. He sat too far back in the bus, smoking on his electronic cigarette. Darren was on the phone, but I did say that his guitar playing was exccelent and that it gave the rats something back that had been missing during the latter years of their career (1st time around) which he was impressed with.

Marti-Anne · Like Clockwork

I was briefly tempted to hang around after the Manchester gig but thought better of it. Simon Crowe was my first crush and I didnt want to spoil any assumptions I had about him. So it is nice to hear from Arr Gee and others that the band are made up of some really decent guys who appreciate their fans.

Maybe I should have waited around and got a birthday hug from him. What a way to end my 40s!!!

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

I went to say hi after the first gig I saw the Barton Rats at - just briefly to Garry and then more to Simon. Both seemed very friendly and genuine, and pleased that people remembered them, and had enjoyed gig. And at later brief meetings, both seem to have stayed the same way, very grounded and amiable. Darren and Bob Bradbury are also friendly down to earth people - and always seemed to me that the Barton/Bradbury Rats were enjoying themselves whilst performing! Was disappointed perhaps not to get the chance to see Bob (Geldof) after the Roundhouse, but again, like Marti-Anne, perhaps think it was better not to risk spoiling any assumptions as he was my first real crush! Maybe it was easier to talk to the others because individually they weren't my crushes when I was a teenager! I would probably have been a gibbering wreck if I'd tried to say something to Bob! I guess in general if we build people up in our minds to be who we want them to be (or indeed try to build ourselves up to be important to them !), it's bound to be a disappointment in the end ...

Glad you had a nice birthday treat seeing the Rats gig though, Marti-Anne!

The music is still great in every way - I think that is what I remember from my first "Rats" gig - just the sheer energy and power of the music and the memories it still evoked.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

The first time I met BG I couldn't even look at him. I was petrified. He was very kind to me. He didn't disappoint. I'm getting used to seeing him. After so many years of adoring from afar (and teenage crush) I just couldn't help it. As an adult though, my expectations of him were just human, nothing beyond.

The first time I met Simon was over the breakfast table at a B&B after the Polo Club warm up gig. Felt a little nervous initially, but he is so 'normal' (compliment) and down to earth, I soon forgot about it and found myself chatting. Since then he's always remembered us and always chatted. They all come across as very genuine individuals to me. I'm very glad to have a chance to meet them and a few times over. It's worth hanging around afterwards, even if you only get a minute or 2.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Out of interest - What was the set list?

diffbrook · House on Fire

The set list was the same as previous gigs. No Elephants Graveyard, nor picture taken. Encore was Never bite the hand that feeds and the boomtown rats.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

diffbrook wrote:
The set list was the same as previous gigs. No Elephants Graveyard, nor picture taken. Encore was Never bite the hand that feeds and the boomtown rats.

Thanks. Can't believe they did Having My Picture Taken instead of Never Bite The Hand That Feeds on the two occassions I turned up...

noelindublin · Loudmouth

diffbrook wrote:
Not sure how to review this. Due to my wife having back problems I sat in the balcony for the first time. Unfortunately the sound was terrible. I could barely make out what Bob was saying let alone singing and couldn't make out Simons snaredrum. Maybe it was the Perspex that was slightly covering the front of the balcony or maybe it was due to being near the roof, but it really took the enjoyment out of the gig. Never sitting again, cos I didn't feel part of the show.

Left the gig and went for the car, and passed the stage door. Waited awhile until so much time had passed that we decided to wait for the rats come what may. It started to rain, which wasn't great. The rats finally came out and Pete, Simon, Gary and the others walked straight onto the mini bus. Bob stayed outside and signed autographs, had pics taken etc. maybe the others didn't expect anyone to ask them for their autograph. Anyway, I managed to talk to Gary and Simon as they sat in the bus, with the sliding door open. Both Gary and Simon were really good blokes, really happy about the Leeds reaction and seemed quite humble about it all. Pete on the other hand was a really moody bugger, Tutted about my wife taking his picture (ok the flash was in his eye for a second or two) and generally seemed that this was just another gig. The fact that we had stayed behind in the wet and cold seemed to pass him by.

I'm sorry if this is really negative, but I had high hopes for this and had waited 28 years to see them, only to have a crap seating/hearing experience and a base player who really seemed not to give a toss about his fans. I thought it was Bob who was supposed to be the moody one, but at least he made the effort and got as wet as we were.

Steve

Re Pete- everybody has their off days. I have met him twice, for brief periods after gigs and he came across as very down to earth and friendly. He told me straight out that the Rats were recording new songs when I asked him, without making me feel this was some sort of secret. I found him very unassuming and glad that anyone should like the Rats or Geldof's music.

Maybe it's being on the road for so long that might make someone a bit 'cranky'- simple things like lack of sleep, or just plain tiredness.

Hope you get to see the Rats again, in Doncaster or some of the other gigs. The seating decision was just a fluke too and seemingly did not help the overall experience.

suss · In the Long Grass

Venue - for the scrapbook. No one had put money in the meter in Leeds....