The Cure's Mexico concert was hit by an earthquake.

The 'Friday I'm In Love' musicians were taken aback when the natural disaster happened just minutes before they were due to take to the stage in Mexico City on Sunday night.

The crowd of 40,000 fans were left fearing for their lives as a tremor measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale wiped through the Foro Sol stadium.

Journalist Bernard Van Isacker of website Side-line.com, who was in the audience during the terrifying moment, posted online: "I thought that I was losing my balance as I felt the ground drifting away from under my feet. Then people started screaming and I was told that an earthquake was taking place.

"I could see those big station spot posts shaking back and forth as if there was a huge storm taking place. Instantly all communication via mobiles was also interrupted as thousands were trying to call their family."

No one was injured during the event and the band - formed of Robert Smith, Simon Gallup, Roger O'Donnell, Jason Cooper and Reeves Gabrels - persisted with the lengthy four-hour set after the earthquake settled.

It was an especially memorable show for frontman Smith, who was also celebrating his 54th birthday.

Bernard mused: "I guess Robert Smith had no better way to celebrate his birthday today."