Today In Rock: February 12th, 1997 – PopMart Tour Announced
U2 made the announcement during a news conference at a Kmart discount store in Manhattan, New York City. This was in line with the tour’s satirical theme of consumerism.
The main stage design resembled a supermarket, which was inspired by facades of American post-war suburban stores. U2’s frontman Bono believed that a supermarket, with its large number of choices and temptations, could be used as a symbol of a rampant consumerism.
“I can’t quite recall how it got to the idea of taking a supermarket on the road,” Bono later shared. “I remember it making a lot of sense at the time. As I’m sitting here, I’m trying to think what that (reason) is.”
PopMart was marred by technical difficulties and mixed reviews from critics and fans, particularly in the United States. It was better received in Europe.
Even so, Bono felt PopMart was “our finest hour. It’s better than Zoo TV aesthetically, and as an art project it is a clearer thought.”
The tour’s 93 shows included two North American legs, a Latin American trek, one European run and stops in Asia and Africa, grossed US$173.6 million from 3.98 million tickets sold.
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