THE first week of 1981 saw Bob Geldof and his Boomtown Rats on stage at the Colston Hall.

And there to see the show, and suitably impressed, was the Post's music editor James Belsey.

"Last night Bob Geldof and his fellow Rats blazed a trail through a glorious display of music – rock at its very best," he wrote the next day.

"They were arrogant, inventive and totally convincing in their new role as major figures on the rock scene.

"The show began without a fanfare – just Geldof and a drummer on a dimly lit stage.

"No one was quite sure if it was really him – and even when the lights went on he deliberately ended the first couple of numbers in mid air. Were we supposed to cheer – or not?

"Geldof then berated his fans with expletives which sent one or two parents with young children scurrying from the hall.

"Now rich and famous, the Boomtown Rats aren't in any danger of turning into next summer's big attraction at Torquay or Blackpool.

"Once Geldof had established that they are as explosive and crude as ever, the Rats piled on power performance on top of power performance.

"They explored exciting new works from their latest album but I'll confess my blood ran cold when I heard the opening chords from I Don't Like Mondays.

"A masterpiece of studio work, rather than live performance, Geldof made this into one of the most exciting, spine-chilling numbers I've ever heard on stage. The band played magnificently throughout, despite hiccups with the bass.

"But with Bob Geldof on stage, no one else is allowed to steal the thunder. This was my first rock show of the 1981 calendar – and if only a half dozen approach last night's standard, it will be a very good year."