On This Day 06/01/1981 Boomtown Rats

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On this day, 6 Jan 1981, Irish Punk rockers The Boomtown Rats played Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens supported by fellow Irish band, The Atrix.

Formed in Dublin in 1975.Between 1977 and 1985, they had a series of Irish and UK hits including "Like Clockwork", "Rat Trap", "I Don't Like Mondays" and "Banana Republic".

The original line-up comprised six musicians; five from Dún Laoghaire in County Dublin; Gerry Cott (rhythm guitar), Simon Crowe (drums), Johnnie Fingers (keyboards), Bob Geldof (vocals) and Garry Roberts (lead guitar), plus Fingers' cousin Pete Briquette (bass).

The tour Bongos Over Britain was to help promote their fifth album Mondo Bongo, produced by Tony Visconti and released the same month. The album peaked at No 6 in the UK album charts and included the singles Banana Republic and Elephants Graveyard.

The Boomtown Rats

Bob Geldof - lead and backing vocals

Johnnie Fingers - keyboards, backing vocals

Gerry Cott - guitar

Garry Roberts - guitar, backing vocals

Pete Briquette - bass, keyboards, backing vocals

Simon Crowe - drums, backing vocals

Setlist

Mood Mambo

Straight Up

(I Never Loved) Eva Braun

Me and Howard Hughes

This is My Room

Banana Republic

The Elephant's Graveyard

Nothing Happened Today

Having My Picture Taken

I Don't Like Mondays

Someone's Looking at You

Keep It Up

Rat Trap

Encore:

Under Their Thumb Is Under My Thumb

Looking After No. 1

Encore 2:

Diamond Smiles