Bob Geldof headlined the opening of the Sesiwn Fawr music festival in Dolgellau, North Wales, on Friday evening. And what a triumph it was, not only for Bob and the band, but for the organisers.

We arrived in this quaint Welsh town wondering quite what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised. The event was extremely well run, taking place on a car park with two main stages, along with a variety of catering facilities and a huge, easy to get served in, bar which is bloody important on a hot day. The organisers had booked some high profile artists for the weekend including darling of the folk world, Kate Rusby, and the raggle taggle folksters, The Saw Doctors. The other acts on the bill on Friday seemed to be all home grown talent and very refreshing it was too. The happening was being televised by the BBC Wales.

Geldof and his band were due on stage at 10.30; at 9.30 the main audience area was scarcely inhabited, but all the pubs in the town were heaving. I had serious doubts whether there would be an audience for the TV to record, but as the rain began to pour, so did the audience through the gates. All with the view of catching Geldof in action. There seemed to be a genuine excitement that a living fucking legend was about to grace the festival.

I have seen Geldof and the band several times recently and have always been very impressed. Geldof is an excellent songwriter. The new album proves this beyond doubt. I cannot quite understand why their profile is not much higher. They are currently touting Geldof's latest solo effort, Sex, Age & Death an album that is not to be treated lightly. The show is an eclectic mix of styles and takes in 27 years of Bob the Gob in all guises. The band open with the Great Song of Indifference, immediately whipping the crowd up into a frenzy. Most will remember this was the song that put Geldof back on Top of the Pops some years ago. (A Ye Ha type folk ditty that featured a funny little Irish dancer doing his River Dance routine.) Love Or Something was next, The Gospel Song - all from Geldofs solo albums. Eventually the great man spoke and one of the things that makes this whole show so good is that Geldof is genuinely funny and is a brilliant raconteur.

His chat was welcomed by the crowd, despite a comment he made at the beginning of his set. He said he had learnt a bit of Welsh, then just made up complete garbage. Some of the crowd booed but Bob took it in his stride and towards the end of the set came back to the jibberish in 'Welsh'. Geldof has surrounded himself with the most fantastic musicians whose CV's are more than impressive. Lead guitar and added vocals are from Johnny Turnbull (of Blockheads fame), fiddle, Mandolin and whistle and vocals from Vince Lovepump who has trod the boards with the Penguin Cafe Orchestra and Van Morrison to name but two, keyboards/accordion are handled by Alan Dunn and the rhythm section by Geldof's old mate Pete Briquette and drums by Niall Power (the good looking one of the band - well he has to be, he has kept the beat for fucking West Life).

It is very noticeable that this band provide Geldof with the perfect vehicle to make his excellent work so great for us listening public. The new stuff from Sex, Age & Death is met with great approval and of course the whole place erupts when the Best Of is played; Monday's, Banana Republic, Rat Trap, Mary of The Fourth Form. I was talking to someone on the merchandise who informed me that a Best Of Boomtown Rats CD is to be released in the autumn and will include not only the hits, but some of the lesser known album tracks, all re-mastered. I for one am looking forward to hearing a souped up version of Neon Heart. The same source tells me that Geldof will be back in Wales at Theatre Hafern towards the end of the year. I suggest that you make a note in your diary because Geldof is back at his absolute best with a kicking band and a fucking good sideline in standup.