Bono Appearing in Boomtown Rats Documentary

Original Story by Aaron J. Sams (2020-02-27)

Bono has done a recent interview for the Boomtown Rats documentary Citizens of Boomtown which is premiering at the Dublin Film Festival, in Cineworld on Parnell Street in Dublin on March 3. Other artists appearing in the documentary include Sinead O’Connor, Dave Stewart, Sting and Jools Holland.

Hotpress is offering a chance to win tickets if you are in Dublin.

The documentary looks at the Irish superstar band, as well as the musical and social legacy of the band. The film, directed by Billy McGrath looks at the bands rise, and eventual split in 1985. It also features current interviews with the Rats. Now reunited since 2013, the Boomtown Rats will release an album, also titled Citizens of Boomtown on March 13. And they will be embarking on some live shows later this year starting with a series of dates in the UK. A book of lyrics and stories by lead singer Bob Geldof is also scheduled to be released in March titled Tales of Boomtown Glory.


IMAGE: Bono in Citizens of Boomtown

The documentary premieres in theatre, and part one will air on national television (RTE One) in Ireland two nights later (March 5). The second part is due to air on March 12. Bono has been appearing in some of the advertisements for the film, shown speaking about the band, but is not present in the online trailer for the documentary. The film has been produced by Sideline Productions for BMG.

The press release of the film includes:

The film reveals the highs and the lows of the first Irish band ever to reach No.1 in the UK charts – not once (with Rat Trap) but twice with a global top seller I Don’t Like Mondays. Told over two episodes the filmmakers had exclusive access to personal archives and interviews with the four members of the re-grouped Boomtown Rats (Bob Geldof, Garry Roberts, Pete Briquette and Simon Crowe) plus departed guitarist Gerry Cott. The remaining original member Johnny Fingers now lives in Tokyo.

Filmed across Ireland, UK and America, the two films also features compelling insights from special guests including Bono (U2), Sting (The Police), Sinead O’Connor, Clem Burke (Blondie), Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Jools Holland (Squeeze), Steve Conte (New York Dolls) plus a broad range of insightful contributions from music legends like Creation Records founder Alan McGee and NY based photographer Bob Gruen. Music critics Neil McCormick (Daily Telegraph), Niall Stokes (Hot Press), Charles Shaar Murray (NME) & David Fricke (Rolling Stone) are also joined by historians Roy Foster & Diarmaid Ferriter; sociologist Eoin Devereaux; author Joseph O’Connor; broadcasters Paul Gambaccini and Dave Fanning to unravel one of the most dramatic and compelling narratives in modern music.

Many thanks to Valerie for the heads up on this one.

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