Oct 10, 2013 16:46 BST Boomtown Rats fly in to Shocktober Fest!

The Boomtown Rats and Sir Bob Geldolf on lead vocals treated staff and zombies at Tulleys Farm Shocktober Fest Scream Park near Crawley, to a surprise personal concert today (Thursday) as they took to the halloween attraction’s WoodShock LIVE music stage as part of their pre tour rehearsals.

The stage, that has already hosted The Animals & Friends at the Scream Park’s opening night on Saturday the 5th, provided the perfect acoustics and setting for the band before they embark on their 17 day UK tour.

Some 27 years since their final show in Dublin in May ’86, – on vocals, Pete Briquette on bass, Simon Crowe on drums and Garry Roberts on guitar made good use of the Scream Park’s performance facilities. Frontman and lead vocalist Bob Geldof said “Tulleys Farm has been fantastic hosts and it’s a lot better here and a lot better than where we normally rehearse. It’s a bonus having the stage and being able to run through the set as much as we want. We’re looking forward to embarking on our UK tour but it’s a shame we can’t get to enjoy the haunts of the Shocktober Fest Scream Park first, maybe next year!”

Launching the release of their new album ‘Classic Ratshits’ the tour kicks off in Ireland this Saturday the 12th and takes them across the length and breadth and the country. Delighting old and new Rats fans with well-known hits such as ‘I Don’t Like Monday’s’ and ‘’ (and many others) the boys will be working hard before they perform the last of their scheduled gigs in Aberdeen, Scotland on the 10th of November.

Amongst the staff and audience of zombies and staff treated to the impromptu rehearsal set was Esmerelda, one of the actors who plays the part of a gin swilling old hag. Says Esmerelda “It was wonderful to meet Sir Bob, and I think the feeling was mutual. We’ve got so much in common. He doesn’t like Monday’s, neither do I! I don’t genuinely like the rest of the week either, but it’s a connection."

Stuart Beare, creator of Shocktober Fest and owner of Tulleys Farm is delighted to have been able to help the Rats out with a rehearsal space. “I love the Boomtown Rats and it’s great to be able to offer them our WoodShock stage for rehearsing. This year we have added a live music line up to every one of our 18 fright nights and it’s proving to be welcome addition. Tomorrow night (Friday 11th) we welcome Dr & The Medics, with The Troggs, The Lambrettas and Eddie and the Hot Rods adding to the melodic mix – we can’t wait!”

Shocktober Fest is an annual Halloween Festival run by Tulleys Farm, a third generation farm in the heart of Crawley, West Sussex. In its 15th year, the evening event, Shocktober Fest, has swiftly become the UK's No.1 Halloween Attraction, ensuring thrills, spills, shocks and scares in a plentiful supply.

Contacts

Kylee Charles Press Contact Press & Media Officer Halloween Festival at Tulleys Farm [email protected] 07816 946633 01342 718472