Citizens Of Boomtown: The Story Of The Boomtown Rats

BBC2, 9.20pm

Over time, The Boomtown Rats’ success has been somewhat overshadowed by their leader Bob Geldof’s (right) achievements organising Band Aid and Live Aid.

Therefore it is easy to forget that the band, which formed in mid-1970s Dublin, were at one time the world’s most popular rock act, with Rat Trap and I Don’t Like Mondays both massive global hits.

This documentary, directed by Geldof’s former housemate Billy McGrath, tells the story of the group to tie in with the release of their album Citizens Of Boomtown in March.

It includes personal archives and interviews with the four members of the re-formed Rats (Geldof, Garry Roberts, Pete Briquette and Simon Crowe), plus departed guitarist Gerry Cott. There are also compelling insights from Sinéad O’Connor, Bono and Sting. ★★★