Watch REM play surprise reunion in their hometown Athens, Georgia
REM surprised fans at 40 Watt in their hometown Athens, Georgia, on February 27th to perform an unexpected reunion.
The reunion between Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Bill Berry and Mike Mills occurred at a concert by Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy at the Athens venue. Shannon and Narducy are set to play a second show at the same venue on February 28th.
For the brief performance, which saw REM perform their classic track ‘Pretty Persuasion’, Stipe handled lead vocals, drummer Berry took on the tambourine, bassist Mike Mills assisted on backing vocals while Buck played the guitar.
Last June, REM performed together for the first time in 16 years when they joined forces to play an acoustic rendition of ‘Losing My Religion’ at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame.
Before the reunion at the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Stipe touchingly spoke about their friendship which remains incredibly strong. “Writing songs and having a catalogue of work that we’re all proud of that is out there for the rest of the world for all time is hands-down the most important aspect of what we did,” he shared. “Second to that is that we managed to do so all those decades and remain friends. And not just friends, dear friends.”
Stipe also noted of the equal dynamic between the band, “We are four people that very early on decided that we would own our own masters and we would split our royalties and songwriting credits equally. All for one and one for all.”
Although REM split up in 2011, their bond remains strong as ever. However, despite their two performances in the last year, a full-blown reunion still appears to be out of the question.
In an interview with CBS Mornings last June, Stipe said: “We’re also here to tell the tale, and we’re sitting at the same table together with deep admiration and … lifelong friendship. A lot of people that do this can’t claim that.”
Buck reiterated Stipe’s feelings, saying, “It’d never be as good” as it was before if they reunited on a permanent basis.
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