U2, Popmart - Live From Mexico City Review

Overall Rating

Electrifying crowd, fantastic set list.

It's hard to say anything wrong about this concert. But it does lose its energy slightly during the acoustic set.

So what can we expect from the biggest band in the world of a tour that was announced at a convenience store? Had they gone crazy, will it live up to the terrific Zoo TV shows..... well. Yes. Quite a bit. Many questions were asked of Bono and co at the beginning of the nineties. Many critics said that U2 were a band that were too serious and could never really enjoy themselves. Well, the birth of 'The Fly' and Zoo TV put that theory to bed. And with Popmart they once again prove that when it comes to playing live- they are even better than the real thing.

So with a stage set with among other props- half of the McDonalds logo- the massive Mexico crowd were about to witness one of the greatest U2 shows that I've ever seen- and they were willing to play their part. As soon as the entrance music of 'PopMuzik' begins, the crowd are on their feet screaming- and they barely stop.

So here comes Bono, dressed as a boxer, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr, and a gas mask wearing Adam Clayton- who said U2 couldn't have fun? After a cracking opening 'Mofo', the crowd are then treated to a techno version of one of the bands all time favorites 'I Will Follow.'

With many critics slamming the 'Pop' album, U2 do many of the tracks from that album justice with great performances of songs such as 'Gone' and- one of the highlights of the show- 'Discotheque' after the band re-emerges from that now infamous giant lemon.' Add to that the likes of 'One', 'New Years Day' and 'I Still Havent Found.....', then you are treated to a fantastic setlist of hits young and old.

And with U2, comes politics, and with it for me, the three best parts of the whole show. The Edge delivers a terrific acoustic version of 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' which is followed by fantastic versions of 'Please' and 'Where the Streets Have No Name'.

Out of all the U2 concerts available, this, along with the Slane show, would be the two I'd recommend the most. Popmart is a fantastic spectacle, and a DVD every U2 fan should own.