And Now- Bob Geldof - Gig Review

Bob Geldof In Guildford

S.A.D. Tour 2002 - April 29th
The Civic Theatre, Guildford

Review written, submitted by, and ©Tim Jones.

The gig in Guildford started off slowly but built up to a crescendo of frenzied excitement by the end. The slow start was partly caused by the layout of the hall - at the front there were tables and chairs, which as Bob Geldof (BG) commented on 'is this for Frank Sinatra or what?'. Unlike the rest of the tour, this venue was not sold out, and BG jokingly said that he'd had to call friends and family to 'pad the place out'. However BG was unperturbed ,and in a very humourous and talkative mood this evening, and two and a half hours later, the crowd had been transformed into a manic frenzy (myself included - just ask my fiancee!!).

BG played the normal array of songs from those that I'd witnessed in Tamworth back in February. However he'd added several songs to the set list ($6,000,000 Loser, 10:15, Banana Republic, A Hole To Fill). Highlights for me were the intenseness of a trio of songs from Sex,Age and Death (SAD) - One For Me (best song of the gig in my opinion), My Birthday Suit, and Mudslide. Although I had heard these live before, this time I had a clearer view of BG, and he really does sing these with a passion. He says that 'he needs to switch off whilst singing anything from SAD because of what each song means to him'.

When introducing I Don't Like Mondays, BG commented on how the events that he'd written about on this song 23 years ago, could still cause as much shock throughout the world toay as then. This was of course in relation to the school shooting that had happened in Germany only last week.

There were several amusing stories, including one from back in the Rats days, where they'd been playing in Communist Poland, at Poland's equivalent of our Houses of Parliament (bizarre!!), and he'd been in a room alone, and had picked up a telephone, only to be greeted by the voice of Gorbachov - it was the hotline to the Kremlin!!! BG had immediately slammed the phone down and was then worried about starting a major incident.

Inside Your Head was sung with the same intensity as the previous songs from SAD. Further highlights included Babana Republic (first time I'd heard this live), Room 19 and A Hole To Fill. What I then assumed to be the final song - an absolutely rousing rendition of A Great Song Of Indifference - now had everyone either up or stomping their feet. The 'Frank Sinatra-style seating arrangement evident at the beginning was now a thing of the past. Never have I seen such a sedate audience transformed in such a way!

However we were in for a further unexpected treat as BG emerged for a third encore to give an acoustic version of $6,000,000 Loser, following, I believe, a request from the audience. BG then preceded to sing a favourite of mine - 10.15. BG's girlfriend (Jeanne) was present and so he quite rightly dedicated it to her.

All in all an outstanding night's entertainment.

Review written, submitted by, and ©Tim Jones.