Celebrating five decades as one of Ireland’s most enduring and influential rock bands, The Boomtown Rats marked their “50 Rat Years” milestone with a packed and nostalgic performance at The Hub in Kilkenny City on January 31, 2026. Supported by rising rock outfit The Savage Hearts, the evening offered both a look back at Irish rock history and a glimpse of its future.
Opening the night, The Savage Hearts delivered a nine-song set that showcased their raw energy and commitment. Kicking off with “This Time Tomorrow”, followed by “Silver Locket” and “Gang War”, the band immediately established a punchy, no-nonsense sound rooted in classic rock attitude. They closed their set with “Dead Man’s Lottery”, bringing their performance to a confident and defiant end. Musically, the band were tight and unapologetic, clearly giving everything they had on stage. However, despite a blindingly energetic set, the crowd response was muted. Whether due to the largely older audience, many of whom were clearly there solely for The Boomtown Rats, or simple unfamiliarity with the material, the lack of engagement felt disappointing. It was a pity, as The Savage Hearts more than earned a warmer reception.
Before the main event, attendees were treated to an exclusive documentary screening chronicling the history of The Boomtown Rats. The film served as both a celebration and a reminder of the band’s cultural impact, heightening anticipation and setting a reflective tone. Once the documentary concluded, it was only a short wait before the house lights dimmed and the band took the stage.
Opening with the iconic “Rat Trap”, the first Irish rock song to reach number one in the UK charts, The Boomtown Rats immediately asserted their legacy. From there, it was a relentless run of classics. The unmistakable ticking intro of “Like Clockwork” echoed through the venue, drawing a wave of recognition from the crowd. Bob Geldof, ever the commanding frontman, paced the stage from end to end, radiating urgency and charisma as if the years had barely slowed him down.
Fan favourites such as “Monster Monkeys” and “I Don’t Like Mondays” landed with the expected emotional weight, the latter drawing the strongest crowd reaction of the night. Additional highlights included “She’s So Modern” and the politically charged “Banana Republic”, songs that still feel sharp and relevant decades after their release. The band closed the main set fittingly with “The Boomtown Rats”, a self-referential finale that felt both celebratory and defiant.
Overall, the night was a powerful reminder of The Boomtown Rats’ enduring influence. While the support act deserved more recognition, the headline performance proved that, 50 years on, the Rats still know exactly how to command a stage.
The Savage Hearts photos & set-list:
Set-list:
This Time Tomorrow
Speeding Bullets
Jess James
Silver Locket
Radio Silence
Take Me Away
I Can Hear The Grass Grow
Gang War
Dead Mans Lottery
The Boomtown Rats photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Rat Trap
Eva Braun
Like Clockwork
Neon Heart
(She’s Gonna) Do You In
Monster Monkeys
Someone’s Looking At You
I Don’t Like Mondays
Against the World
She’s So Modern
Bannana Republic
Diamond Smiles
The Boomtown Rats
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic