1998-03-21 - Johannesburg, South Africa - Johannesburg Stadium

setlist

Performance notes: Last live performances of Mofo, Last Night On Earth, If You Wear That Velvet Dress.
Setlist and comment provided by U2gigs.com.

songs per album

  1. Pop (7)
  2. Achtung Baby (4)
  3. The Joshua Tree (4)
  4. War (3)
  5. Boy (1)
  6. The Unforgettable Fire (1)
  7. Rattle and Hum (1)

best song performances

  1. 40 (4 votes)

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show attendees: 2

1 user from South Africa: Rocknrolldoggie

review by iTim

12 years ago

Performance

Beginning, as usual, with a rumble in the form of Mofo. It's very late in the Popmart tour (last date) and I think it's already showing. compared to Mexico about 4 months earlier it's all very routine and Bono sounds as though he's just going through the motions and looking forward to his break. Always an enjoyable segue into I Will Follow, early Boy material is difficult to make special in the bands old age, but it does seem more suited to the lazy Bono. The rest of the band sound top drawer. Not a particularly great version, quite short in truth. Gone is dedicated here to Michael Hutchence, so you'd expect a passionate performance from Bono in particular. Good vocals during the "And I'm already gone..." section though it still feels very routine. Even Better Than The Real Thing kicks off with that signature guitar and that almost is enough to kick the show off, until Bono starts speaking in the language of the natives, very awkward. At least he sings as though he's in the groove (even throws in some Joshua Tree vocals). Again, a pleasure to hear the band perform this great song. Moving into one of my favourite live songs now, Last Night On Earth. I can only hope the energy from the previous song carries through. On the whole, it's a good performance but it could be better. There's no "Would you believe in someone..." but Bono does give the crowd a small cry to repeat, nice touch. Also some good changes to the "It's not the last night on Earth" section. Until the End of the World is more Elevation than Zoo TV, crowd are enjoying it. Great to hear the bassline of New Year's Day kick in, some controlled falsetto from Bono at the start helps the intro along. Again I can't help but feel that it all sounds very routine, Bono throws in some good vocals but always remains in control of them, Edge does great with the solo. The introduction to Pride is good, but quickly it settles back into the typical Pride. I Still Haven't Found sounds good, shame Bono has to ask twice to switch the lights off...good solid performance though. Now, we can't really beat some Popmart Stand By Me goodness, crowd come across here brilliantly. Upon it's end we move straight into All I Want Is You. It's no Lovetown performance, that's a given, but when the dust is brushed off this classic, the band do it justice. Bono's vocals sound good here and credit has to be given for the Never Tear Us Apart snippet, most passion he's put in all night. Bono always sounds stunning on guitar during this next track, Staring At The Sun. Very chilled performance but really enjoyable nonetheless. Sunday Bloody Sunday is played in usual Popmart fashion with Edge performing solo, a hauntingly beautiful and peaceful performance. ~Bullet The Blue Sky attempts to bring the show out of that slow section by throwing into a howling wind, works well for the most part...credit to the band for nailing it, have to question the vocals again though. Sounds very empty. One of the lasting memories of Popmart is undoubtedly the Please/Where The Streets Have No Name partnership, Hasta La Vista (Mexico) delivers one of the best examples of this in my opinion so it's always interesting to see how other shows stack up against this, even more so when the show seems to be sitting on the backseat as other great shows drive down the road of history. Of course, Streets offers that extra gear to any show, and we need another gear in this one. Please almost starts the engine in this case, something that Mofo should've done from square one, good rendition but it all hangs on the falsetto at the end, long and high is what we need...and long and high is what we get. Streets just starting to shine through and then bang, it kicks in. "Going up!" exclaims Bono, I sure hope so. Good thumping bass throughout, vocally it's not too bad, a little coarse but that falls in line with how his voice has been all night. Great way to end the main set. Funnily enough, Lemon over the PA is probably the best track to be played so far...At the start of the encore, it's clear that Bono needed a little break because he delivers almolst faultless vocals at the start of Discotheque, the faster pace of the middle section exposes him a little though. If You Wear That Velvet Dress actually offers Bono the chance to nail it because it's slow and requires less in the way of complexity. Edge's guitar deserves a mention here because it sounds so good. A good effort, I liked it anyway. With Or Without You keeps the higher standard going, again it's not great but it's in no way bad. The show is suddenly catapulted into a new light with the pure rock song that is Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me. Edge and Larry really carry this song and that makes up for anything Bono may be lacking. And, just as you thought that was it, Mysterious Ways kicks in. Bono gives the "It's alright" parts at the end a good go, his voice definitely suffering from the tour though, a good performance but time to kill it off and say goodnight to Popmart. Vocals are actually ok during One, we've heard stronger but given the night he's had behind the microphone, they're good. Edge's guitar solo at the end signalling the end of the tour, the end of a tough few years and the move into the unknown again. Well, almost. '40' rears it's head again, perfect way to end the tour.

Sound

Good sound, not particularly spectacular. Sources listed here do feature some audio skips during a few songs. In all honesty, it may be the sound or the band but it sounds quite dead. Almost 'rehearsal' in parts. At some points, there is some feedback noticeable.

Audience

Present throughout, seem to enjoy the show and take part when the occasion permits.

Overall

Good show on the whole, doesn't quite do the Popmart tour justice though as the closing show.

Highlights:
- Even Better Than The Real Thing
- Discotheque
- If You Wear That Velvet Dress
- One

Lowlights:
- Mofo
- Vocals throughout


reviews from show attendees

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"Human Rights Day - Last Night Of Popmart"

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"Going, But Never Gone"

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"Pop Giants"

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"Last Night On World Tour '97-98"

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