And Now- Bob Geldof

Review - Tuesday 30th October - Macclesfield 'Bar Cuba'

Dunno how many miles it is from Norwich to Macclesfield, but we left on Saturday and arrived on Tuesday.

Susan (my other-half) and I arrived in Macclesfield at around 12.30pm. Parked the car in the car park opposite Bar Cuba. We walked around the shops (took all of 10 mins). I spent my youth in Macc' so It was a bit weird seeing how much things had changed, or rather not. I received quite a few strange looks - there's nothing wrong with an Hawaiian shirt, and blue lens sunglass - even if it's pouring down with rain!

Susan's mum met us for lunch. We went for some food in a trendy bar - in what was the old cinema. The food was disgusting. I bit into my veggie-burger and I nearly lost all my front teeth. It was like biting into a slab of concrete and that is no exaggeration. Got my money back, and a free pint of shandy (we played 'Spot a bubble in the shandy' and we both failed), a replacement veggie-burger was also like a brick, so we just left.

We went back to the car and I got my Haemorrhage CD's (containing their excellent version of 'Mondays') as I'd promised the band I'd give them to Bob (Geldof) and Pete (Briquette). Bob and Pete arrived at the venue along with the rest of the band in a mini-bus. I went inside and spoke at length with Bob and Pete and discussed various things to do with 'Haemorrhage' and the internet (more at a later date). A couple of the guys from the band introduced themselves and were also very nice and friendly.

Later the band all went to the Pizza 'n' Pasta restaurant next-door - to indulge in 'All you can eat for £4.95', whilst Susan and I took a much needed 'refreshment' break in the pub around the corner. I phoned Eddy to see when he was due to arrive from Leeds, but he'd not even left home. Oh well, back to the shandy.

We sat in the car at about 7.45pm and watched the queue forming outside the venue. Susan swears she counted 34 people. We listened to the Sparks (Beat the Clock / No.1 Song in Heaven / Tryout for the Human Race / This Town Ain't big enough for the both of us) on the car stereo then entered the venue at 8.05pm.

The venue filled-up very quickly and it was a 'mare getting to the bar. It was a very peculiar mix of people. It seemed like a load of old-age smurfs had invaded Macclesfield. I seemed to be the tallest person in the venue, and my girlfriend (27) the youngest.

A girl came up to me and said "Hi Chris". Eddy and Suzanne had arrived. Eddy and Suzanne are a really great couple (!) and we (Susan and I) really enjoyed talking to them. Our girlfriends had a good natter (probably about make-up and babies and girlie stuff), whilst Eddy and I got on with discussing the serious stuff (Rats, um, and Rats, and um more Rats). Eddy knows everything there is to know about the Rats and it's great that he'll soon be contributing a lot to this site!

I then went on my own to the bar and was pounced upon by several wimmin who said "Will you sleep with me" etc. etc. Christ, it was never that easy even in my prime ten years ago. I thought it was funny.

Some geezer played a few songs on an acoustic guitar, I guess he was the support act.

The band came onstage (Hurrrrrrahhhh!). Bob had got changed and was wearing a very sharp pinstripe suit and a red silky shirt with white spots. The band wasted no time and laid full-force into a storming version of 'Great Song of..'. The wall of sound was awesome. They followed it up with 'Too Late God' and it was full steam ahead.

I was quite surprised just how much Bob was getting into things. Iggy Pop would have been proud of some of those moves. Seemed like Bob had knocked back nearly 30 years (and I told him so later that night). This was the Bob I wanted to see on stage! Pete was also on form and was going for it. The rest of the band were 'really' good, and they certainly played their part too.

I went to the bar to be accosted again with offers of sex, and wimmin feeling my arse. They must have been bloody desperate!

The new songs went down very well, and were played with immaculate precision. About half-way through, Bob asked if anyone had any requests for any of his old songs. I shouted "Ace of Spades" and he replied "...and don't forget the joker". I guess that's the nearest I'll ever get to doing a duet with Bob.

My next request was for 'Neon Hearts'. Bob and Pete played the first few chords. Bob then joked how Pete only has to remember 6 songs. It was all very good spirited, then they launched into 'Room19'.

Bob prepared himself for '10:15' and you could tell Pete was a bit nervous and hoping it would go OK. It was superb, impeccable. I thought a few people could have been quieter, but I guess some of them wouldn't have known what the song means to Bob. 'Hole to Fill' ended the set list.

Bob then waved goodbye to the crowd and went off to the wrong side of the stage where there was no exit, he then had to walk back the other way. It was a pure Spinal Tap moment, and I couldn't help having a quiet laugh to myself. The band returned for a customary encore playing different versions of 'Great song of...' and 'Hole to Fill'. It seemed Bob wanted to play all night, but then it was over. The music was tight, passionate, and also fun!

I met Bob's Tour Manger Mick Owen then got invited to go upstairs and talk to Bob. I had a couple of glasses of red wine and thoroughly enjoyed talking at length to Bob, Pete and the rest of the Band.

Eddy and Suzanne came up for a quick chat with Bob and I explained how we are going to have a Rats convention in Dublin. Bob joked "All 3 of you?", and I replied "My girlfriend is also going". Bob asked if she was here, and I explained she was waiting down stairs. He said to invite her up. I went and asked the security guy to let her in, but he got all arsey and refused. So she never got to meet Bob.

I won't repeat anything else Bob, Pete and the band said to me that night as I'm not sure whether it would be OK. They were all absolutely fantastic guys and really friendly.

Someone asked if I was going back to the hotel. I left the venue with Bob right behind me, and as we got outside he was mobbed by about 20 old-age smurfs who wanted autographs and to ravish his body. He did the autographs for everyone, then came over and clutched me and said "Good luck with the web site" before jumping into the mini-bus with the awaiting band.

The second Spinal Tap moment was when the mini-bus seemed to be unable to find it's way out of the car park. Susan and I went back to their hotel. A lovely place called Motrom Hall. I was just about to get out the car when I thought, 'Naahh, it's already been a great, great night full of fantastic memories - I'll bugger off and leave 'em to it'. So I did.

Chris Graham

All materials and content on this website © BoomtownRats.co.uk unless otherwise stated.
All photographs © BoomtownRats.co.uk unless otherwise stated.