GIG REVIEW | BOOMTOWN RATS AT FRINGE BY THE SEA by Morgan Hermiston
At this year’s Fringe By The Sea, Ireland’s The Boomtown Rats headlined the Big Top. With a celebratory edge to the show, it felt like a party with mates you’ve not seen for a while. With support from local talents Logan’s Close, there was nothing but raw talent and eclectic energy from start to finish.
Fringe By The Sea added to North Berwick’s already rich history within the Lodge Grounds, offering activities and events that suit a huge variety of budgets and preferences. When we arrived, the area adjoining the Big Top was full of laughter and conversation. It was free to enter and there was an array of food and drink options, perfect for families or groups.
There was also a stage that hosted other local bands and artists. Dictator were performing when we got there, which was a very pleasant surprise. It’s always lovely to see people fall in love with bands you’ve watched grow. While we didn’t catch the whole of their set, they were an amazing, yet unexpected, addition to the night.
Upon entering the Big Top area, we were greeted with a mini-festival feel. It was a scaled down, more intimate event that gave the atmosphere of a regular festival but without the hassle of combatting drunk teenagers. Everyone was there for the same reason, to enjoy a night of live music.
Kicking off the evening was Logan’s Close, another band I’ve enjoyed seeing evolve in popularity. Originally from Dunbar, they combined being local with a sense of liveliness, fostering a familiar and friendly environment. The conversational approach, especially from vocalists and guitarists Carl Marah and Scott Rough in between tracks, effortlessly enticed onlookers.
Catchy choruses and often tongue-in-cheek lyrics in tracks like ‘Babestation‘ and ‘Hot Blondes In Your Area Tonight‘ quickly had the audience singing along. Rough dedicated the latter to “all the blondes” and/or to those from Wester Hailes, toying with the song’s lyrics. During one track, the band furthered their impact with Marah playing the theremin, something I’ve personally never seen another band have.
Logan’s Close are absolutely a band to watch. You’re bound to find a song you like, whether that’s from already released material, or by attending their shows to catch some unreleased tunes. They were able to create an undeniably uplifting atmosphere through encapsulating such a range of inspirations and concepts. As individual musicians, and collectively, their talent is tremendously clear.
The lights dimmed and the thumping sound of their namesake soundtrack began to play. Their usual graphic rat-shooting introductory video played, you could feel the anticipation within the Big Top. One by one, the band walked out, including original members like drummer Simon Crowe, and bassist Pete Briquette. The admiration grew louder when Bob Geldof took centre stage. From the first note of 1978 opener, ‘Rat Trap‘, energy from both Boomtown Rats and their adoring fans never halted.
Wherever I laid my eyes, I was watching masters at their craft. They meticulously played, or strutted in Bob Geldof’s case, and brought their songs to life. With a legacy of 50 years so far, Boomtown Rats have a lot to reflect on. Number 1 singles, and a break-up that lasted 27 years were temporarily things of the past as everyone enjoyed a night of celebration. Tracks like ‘Someone’s Looking At You‘ and ‘Like Clockwork‘ were met with fans cheering and singing along rather passionately. “Fifty years of The Boomtown Rats,” Geldof called in between two songs, “fifty years of being fucking mega!“
During their second, and controversial, chart-topper ‘I Don’t Like Mondays‘, there was a sense of collectiveness. Based on the 1979 San Diego school shooting, the title comes from the response the shooter gave as a cause for their crime. Such subject matter restricted its airplay, but such prohibition only increased its popularity. Geldof paused in the middle of the song. “We’ve sang this song thousands of times over the last fifty years,” he began to say, “and every night we sing it, it seems to have a different resonance“. He continued, “tonight, when I’m singing it, my head is filled with those exhausted women and starving children in Gaza“.
After a sincere moment of political poignance, which was applauded for a while, the celebratory mood wasn’t shunted. However, there was still the reminder that we’re very fortunate and lucky to get to safely experience a night like that. Songs in the latter half of the set included ‘She’s So Modern‘ and ‘Banana Republic‘. The rest of the night was filled with moments of comedy, like Bob Geldof appearing to have a conversation through his harmonica, along with dancing and the joyous atmosphere that The Boomtown Rats create time and time again.
If you’ve never been to North Berwick’s Fringe By The Sea, it’s definitely a festival you should keep in mind for next year. As festivals go, it’s by far one of the most accessible ones I’ve encountered. With a standard raised platform and friendly hands-on staff, those with additional requirements, mobility or otherwise, will be assisted effortlessly.
It’s also a night out that won’t hurt your pocket or bank balance. To see a band of The Boomtown Rats’ legacy or calibre for just £30 isn’t something you can easily come across. You’ll also find incredible new bands or artists like Logan’s Close within the price, and you really can’t go wrong with that. The drinks weren’t too badly priced either, but I think I’ll stick to reviewing music for now.
The first 50 years of The Boomtown Rats has seen them achieve great triumphs among fall outs and reunions. But what would a good band be without these? If you missed this gig, or are eager for more of Bob Geldof’s antics, the group are heading out on tour across the UK towards the end of this year. Dates include Aberdeen’s Music Hall, Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom, and the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.
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