IT may be 27 years since the Boomtown Rats decided to call it a day but the years melted away when the re-formed band hit the stage in Bournemouth.

Flamboyant frontman Bob Geldof clearly plans to grow old disgracefully, strutting around the stage in a fake snakeskin suit he could only describe as "mega."

It was a gig for people of a certain age, caught in a timewarp for an hour-and-a-half.

And there could be few better ways to spend a stormy Tuesday night in Boscombe.

Geldof and the boys have never looked like they were enjoying themselves more.

All the favourites were there - I Don't Like Mondays, Like Clockwork, Banana Republic and Diamond Smiles.

But it was their first UK number one from 1979, Rat Trap, that drew the biggest roar from the predominantly male crowd.

Geldof's voice hasn't changed much, he can still knock out a tune on a harmonica and plays the tambourine as badly as he ever did.

The 62-year-old put everything into the performance, leaving some just a tiny bit worried he might actually fling himself off the stage at one point.

Known for his political rants, he seemed slightly more mellow - perhaps becoming a granddad has taken the edge off his anger The Rats' songs are as relevant today as they were in the 70s and 80s, something that seems to slightly disappoint Geldof.

But it made for a great gig because, despite the passing of time, it didn't feel out of date.

The band surely have the potential for huge chart success again - the suit alone deserves it.

The only pity is that there were so few young people in the crowd - I reckon they'd like it