A hectic gigging Autumn launches with another mission of redemption for one of my favourite bands, namely R.E.M! As I’d discussed as part of my “Forever Now” 2025 review (gig 1,392), I’d first seen Athen’s finest support U2 in 1985 at Milton Keynes Bowl, where they’d kicked off a set following The Ramones with a real downer, the slow, morose and moody “Feeling Gravity’s Pull” from their then-current album “Fables Of The Reconstruction”, and I walked away… I realised the error of my ways 2 years later and ultimately saw R.E.M. a total of 8 times, so I was well up for this gig when I heard about it; Jason Narducy, Bob Mould’s right-hand bandmate, and granite faced US character actor Michael Shannon plus “friends” (including Bob Mould/ Superchunk drummer Jon Wurster and Dag Juhlin, formerly of eclectic 80’s lot Poi Dog Pondering and apparently a friend of my Gravel Pit mate Ed Valauskas!), playing a set of R.E.M material “live”, and apparently with the blessing of all 4 original members? I’m in! The fact that this tour ironically showcased that “Fables” album also gave me a chance to stay put for “Gravity’s” this time…!
Given that we’d originally recognised each other at an R.E.M. gig in May 1989 (gig 129), it was no surprise that Beef was up for this too. We hit the road at 5.45, arriving in good time but then suffering an absolute payment-mare involving broken meters, meters eating my cash for no ticket, and useless apps! I eventually drove to the nearby Louisiana car park, otherwise I might have ripped a meter off its pole in anger and hoyed it into the harbour! Nonetheless, we were still in for 7, grabbing a stage front spot, house right, next to occasional Devizes gig buddy Alfie. Recent gig friend Jeremy joined us as well, and lively rock chat passed the time, until the lights dimmed at 8 in front of a by-now full and expectant house. The band then took the stage, the great-coated Shannon last, greeting us with a soft, “hi,” before the ominous opening riff of “Gravity’s” rang out…
“Fables”, R.E.M’s third, somewhat troubled album, was a development from the understated yet upbeat Rickenbacker jangle of their first two, delving into more Violent Femmes backwoods alt-country, albeit with a gloomier, almost macabre American gothic atmosphere at times, exemplified by this opening track. Fears that it might drag however were totally unfounded; it sounded great, no surprise really given the quality of the players, but vocalist Shannon also immediately demonstrated this was no vanity project on his behalf, his voice low, dark and authoritative, completely suiting the material. The Byrsdian gallop of “Driver 8” was a brilliant early highlight, after which Shannon commented on tonight’s “happening house,” some wag down the front (ok, me…) replying, “welcome to the dirty boat!” to his delight. Shannon then related the meaning of “Life And How To Live It” before the song’s undulating gallop, and Narducy later took the mic to lament his food poisoning episode during his last Bristol visit with Bob Mould in 2016 (gig 1,006) before the “Fables” outlier, the joyful shape-throwing funk of “Can’t Get There From Here”, by which time I was seriously working up a sweat in my front row spot, duly noted by Narducy (or was it my R.E.M album cover shirt?). The squalling behemoth of “Auctioneer” ceded to a beautiful, melancholy rendition of “Wendell Gee” to close out the “Fables” run through, Shannon commenting on R.E.M’s propensity for cover versions prior to an excellently observed “Femme Fatale”, which rounded off a waaaay better than expected first set.
Barely
time for a loo break before part two, a “scattershot” set through R.E.M.’s
canon, albeit one which studiously avoided their well-known tracks, taking the
path less trodden and rewarding the faithful. The strident and angular
“Strange” preceded Shannon oddly inquiring, “everyone got the right shoes on?”
SWDTF (again, me...) replying “Jon [Wurster] has!” the drummer favouring the
same TUK creepers as me! “Bandwagon” was a jolly singalong and the subsequent “Gardening
At Night” a superb descending thrill-ride; the haunting and prescient “World
Leader Pretend” was preceded by Shannon commenting they’d been playing that one
a lot in the States, “because… why wouldn’t you?”; the irresistible hurtling
metronome of “Sitting Still” was my set highlight thus far; but that was
immediately eclipsed by the wonderfully soaring and anthemic chorus of a
heartfelt “Cuyahoga” to round off set two.
Shannon and Narducy then opened up a 5-song encore by two-handing a stripped back and plaintive “So. Central Rain”, Shannon impressively holding that final note in full-on Stipe fashion. A brilliant night’s rock was then ultimately climaxed with heartfelt thanks from Shannon, a promise to return next year to tour “Life’s Rich Pageant” (my favourite R.E.M. album! Yay!), and the inevitable closer, the embryonic post-punk chugalong “Radio Free Europe” before the band took a full deserved bow to acclaim, and I, finally, took a breath, sweaty and soaked from all my dancing! A passing Dag handed me the list, then a quick Boston-centric chat with the man afterwards and a catch up with Bristol friend Keeley preceded a shirtless walk back to the car and an euphoric drive home. Just a brilliant, celebratory night, a timeless and classic band done complete justice by Shannon, Narducy and co. As Shannon himself commented, “god bless R.E.M,” but god bless you fine gents as well!
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