R.E.M.

Live reviews

• R.E.M.

  Right up until they announced their split, completely out of the blue, in 2011, R.E.M. remained amongst that very top tier of live acts in commercial terms; one of those bands who could go to any corner of the world and play a stadium. Indeed, on what would turn out to be their final UK tour in the summer of 2008, that’s precisely what they did; dates at Old Trafford cricket ground, Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, Southampton’s Rosebowl and at Twickenham reinforced their reputation as one of the biggest rock bands on the live circuit - a remarkable feat, given that, unlike most of their contemporaries at that level, they were also critical darlings. Michael Stipe, of course, was a wonderfully expressive performer, often taking to the stage sharp-suited on that last jaunt, and ripping through the classics with an energy and vigour that belied how many times he must have played them. Admirable, too, was the fact that they refused to yield to the expectations attached to giant shows like the ones they played; other than the numerous screens that backed them up on stage, there was little in the way of U2-style theatrics. It’s a genuine shame that they’ve hung up their guitars; one can only hope that, as time goes by, Stipe and co will fancy dusting off their instruments.

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  by Joeg_67