Bulmers Live at Leopardstown to close with Boomtown Rats

THE Boomtown Rats are the final act to perform at this year’s Bulmers Live At Leopardstown when they play the racecourse stage this Thursday, August 11.

Once famously described as ‘licentious, festering reprobates’ and ‘leprous anti-establishment scumbags’ and banned from playing in their home country, it’s difficult to overestimate the shock and awe The Boomtown Rats inspired in late 70s Ireland. 

 Following eight years of attracting some of the biggest names of Irish and international talent, Bulmers Live at Leopardstown has once again delivered on its reputation this year as a fantastic evening of music, racing and food. With Aslan, The Academic, Nathan Carter, Jack L, Hermitage Green, Booka Brass and The Strypes having already performed, The Boomtown Rats are set to play the last night of the series; their fast, loud, furious music will be an explosive finale to Bulmers Live At Leopardstown 2016.

As always, the performances will be preceded by a top class card of horse racing and a wide selection of hospitality options available for everyone from the great value ‘Summer Bundle’  to the premium ‘Summer Party’. 

The music and racing festival would not be complete without the Style Stakes and The Beacon Hotel will return this summer as sponsors of The Beacon Hotel Dare to be Different Style Awards with over €17,000 worth of prizes to be won. Every week at Bulmers Live at Leopardstown, over €2,000 worth of prizes can be won by contestants, who will be judged by a high profile panel of personalities and celebrities.

For Tickets and hospitality options – go to www.leopardstown.com or call the Leopardstown ticket line on 01 289 0500. There are also discounts for advance group bookings available online.

Follow on Facebook – Leopardstown Racecourse & Twitter @Leopardstownrc for updates and exclusive competitions. Use hashtag #liveatleopardstown 

TRACK RECORD WITH… Garry Roberts

1. Best gig you’ve been to in Dublin: Can’t decide between The Bonzo Dog Doo-dah Band, National Stadium, July 1969, with Charlie Odlum from school, or Dr Feelgood, National Stadium, October 1976, with Fingers and Geldof.

2. Most Memorable moment in Dublin: Brush Shiels telling me, one night in Toner’s, “If you can hum it, you can play it.” I still can’t do either.

3. Most ‘Want to forget’ moment in Dublin: I’m afraid I’ve forgotten.

4. First album you bought and last album you bought. The Small Faces: Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake; David Bowie’s BLACKSTAR.

5. When you’re not playing music, what else do you do? I buy, and sometimes sell, cars, guitars and amplifiers and I build the odd modified motorcycle. I also try my hand at songwriting from time to time. I’ve yet to produce something I would want anyone else to hear.

6. Who are your influences? Wilko Johnson, Adrian Belew, Frank Zappa, Mick Ronson, Jeff Beck, George Harrison, Brian Robertson, Brendan Bonass, Peter Tosh, Ry Cooder, Elliot Randall, James Burton, Billy Gibbons, Pete Towshend, Malcolm Young….. 

7. If you weren’t playing with your fellow band mates, who would make up your ideal band? Simon Crowe, Darren Beale, Bob Bradbury and myself.

8. Any tips on life? Good manners cost nothing and use rear fog lights only where visibility is 50 metres or less.

9. First person you’d invite to your party? My long-suffering girlfriend, Lin.

10. Last person you’d invite to your party? Donald Trump.