Bob Geldof slammed for launching ‘foul-mouthed tirade’ at crowd during Essex festival

The Boomtown Rats star criticised the crowd for wearing "wall to wall f****** Primark"
Tirade: Bob Geldof launched an 'inappropriate' tirade in Brentwood
Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images
Jennifer Ruby21 July 2016
The Weekender

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Bob Geldof has been slammed by festival-goers for launching a ‘foul-mouthed’ tirade while on stage in Essex.

The 64-year-old has been accused of using ‘inappropriate’ language during his set with the Boomtown Rats at the Brentwood Festival last week.

According to reports, the rocker criticised the festival for being too “tame” and blasted the crowd for wearing “wall to wall f****** Primark”.

The Essex Chronicle reports that Geldof shouted: “We don't do Abba. We don't do Robbie ******* Williams."

“We are mega. And you are Brentwood. How do we know that you are Brentwood and we are mega? Because I am wearing a f*** off pretend snakeskin suit and [they] are wearing f*** off cowboy shirts even though they live in London.”

He then reportedly shouted: “On the other hand Brentwood, you are wearing wall to wall f****** Primark.

“This is a rock and roll festival. When you come to a rock and roll festival you dress for a rock and roll festival. You can never be too careful.”

The musician and activist then introduced one song by saying: “That song we just did was written at the end of 1975 when Margaret Thatcher became leader of the opposition.

"What are you booing for? We're in f****** Brexit land here guys. Yeah, we're Irish, we're still in Europe.”

One person wrote on Twitter: “Bob Geldof swearing and going mental at Brentwood festival was so inappropriate telling the crowd off for wearing Primark."

Someone else posted: “Bob Geldof slagged off Brentwood whilst playing Brentwood fest how desperate is ur career that u ditch ur principles then b**** about it???

Festival co-ordinator Laurie Edmonds told the paper: “They're a punk band. You expect them to be a bit controversial and he got a reaction from the crowd.

"People know he speaks his mind. That's just what they do but they were a fantastic punk band and we thought it would go down well with our crowds.

"We know he's a bit of a lightning rod and people will have strong reactions to him.”

Evening Standard Online has contacted Geldof's representatives for comment.

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