IT HAS been a dozen years since R.E.M. were the world’s biggest band, and while they continue to command respect even their hardcore fans now concede that the group’s glory days are probably past.
It’s not hard to see why. R.E.M.’s last six or so albums have been patchy affairs with only the odd hit single that hinted at the pop powerhouse the Georgia natives once were.
Thus, the capacity crowd crammed into the Hammersmith Apollo for the start of a six-date UK tour no doubt came prepared for a patchy concert. What they got, however, was a glorious rock’n’roll show that suggested the middle-aged Americans may be about to bounce back U2-style.
From the moment Michael Stipe strode on in a dark, fitted suit, with a wide band of blue make-up across his eyes that made him look like a cross between a bald superhero and a racoon, it was clear that he was here to have a good time.
Under dozens of dangling, icicle-like lights, his cheeky smile, daft, jerky dancing and confident command of the stage — he often climbed on a speaker, stood stock still and stared at a member of the audience for added effect — recalled R.E.M.’s early 1990s heyday, when the skinny singer was considered one of rock’s most charismatic frontmen.
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It was the choice of songs, however, that really chastised fans for daring to write R.E.M. off. In a two-hour set that took in 25 tracks, the trio — plus two tour guitarists and a drummer — chose an unexpected but effective collection of their rockiest songs from the past 20 years. Naturally, 1980s classics such as Orange Crush and The One I Love went down a storm, but, surprisingly, so did Undertow and Departure, from the 1996 album New Adventures in Hi-Fi, and Leaving New York and Electron Blue from last year’s Around the Sun. Perhaps it was simply the energy on stage, but suddenly, reappraising those recent albums felt like a good idea.
The one bad set choice was the electronica-backed ballad I’ve Been High, which incited a mass exit to the bar. Again, comparisons with their old sparring partners U2 sprang to mind. As much as they like to be bold, it is when R.E.M. make edgy but melodic rock that they are a cut above the competition.
By the time they closed the main set with the still magnificent Losing My Religion and began a long encore with What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?, the audience were up on their feet dancing. By the time they return to these shores in the summer for a series of outdoor gigs, expect an R.E.M. revival to be well under way.
The tour continues tonight at the Hallam FM Arena, Sheffield; tomorrow at SECC, Glasgow; Wed at NEC, Birmingham