Boomtown tickets snapped up
As quick as a rat out of a trap, tickets to see the rock legends Bob Geldof, Pete Briquette, and Simon Crowe perform at Cavan Calling later this year were snapped up in rapid quick time.
In the first half hour of release 1,000 tickets for the free Boomtown Rats concert at Cavan Town’s Egg Market had already been claimed. By 2.30pm tickets for the 5,000 capacity gig were completely gone.
The outdoor event is set to take place on Saturday, July 29, and is a highlight of the inaugural live Cavan Calling festival.
Former Strypes’ drummer, Evan Walsh’s new band Eddie Cruizer and the Savage Hearts have been announced as support act.
The decision to add them to the billing followed a special request by Boomtown bassist Pete Briquette - better known in locally as Patrick Martin Cusack from Ballyjamesduff - after hearing the Savage Hearts' latest single.
Evan told the Celt his band was “chuffed” to be offered the opportunity.
“We’re working away in the studio on a couple of tracks. The game plan at the moment is to record as much as possible, an album worth or even more, and get it up to scratch and decide then how to release it, as singles or EPs. It’ll become naturally apparent as the creative process continues.”
Evan says that Pete has “always been a very good friend” since he and the other Strypes first appeared on The Late Late Show alongside the Boomtown Rats in 2013.
“That was the beginning of the friendship, and the Cavan connection of course helped that along. The early Rats' vibe is very much something we loved, men after our own hearts sort of thing, so since that time we’ve kept in touch. Hilariously, the last thing we ever did as [the Strypes] was to attend the premiere screening of [Citizens of Boomtown: The Story of the Boomtown Rats] in 2020. Incredibly the next day was day one of the lockdown.”
He said it was “incredible” to be part of the upcoming Cavan Calling, and believes it's a brilliant showcase for the county and the wealth of local creativity.
Cavan Calling is the homecoming festival for Cavan’s global Diaspora, a celebration of all things Breffni for those living in Cavan, those from Cavan living overseas, those with Cavan ancestry, or those who simply have an affinity for the county. Organised by Cavan County Council, among the events lined up for Cavan Calling 2023 (July 26-30) are a Street Carnival, Food Markets, a Military Show at Cavan County Museum, Fireworks Display, acclaimed Famine play ‘In the Midst of Plenty’, a special two-day Ancestry and Genealogy Conference, concerts by Vltalva String Quartet, African Gospel Choir Dublin, The Percy French Troubadours, Marcus Magee and the Hollaw Men and much, much more.