In photos: R.E.M. wow fans at intimate London instore show

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by Gareth Dobson [Edit this content] ▾ 8 comments 00:14 March 27th, 2008

As part of the high-profile campaign to support R.E.M.'s latest record, the much vaunted Accelerate, Stipe, Mills and Buck tonight played one of their smallest shows in years at the Apple Store on Regent Street, London.

Playing to a mere 500 fans and competition winners, the band slammed through seven tracks from the forthcoming LP, out next Monday (31st March). Highlights included the current single 'Superstitious Superserious', and album closer 'I'm Gonna DJ'. The band also delighted watchers with a host of old and rarely aired songs.

At ease and joking through the set, Michael Stipe claimed that he had an 'iBoner' performing at the Apple store, given his love for all things Mac. He smirked; 'Once you go Mac, you can never go back'. One pun - thanking the support act 'iTouch' emitted groans and a castigating comment from Mike Mills.

Towards the end of the set, Stipe gave the audience the choice of hearing either 'Losing My Religion' or 'Man on the Moon', leaving it to the crowd to cheer the loudest for their preferred choice. Impressively, the audience chose - just- the latter.

the setlist was:

'Bad Day'
'Auctioneer'
'Supernatural Superserious'
'Fall On Me'
'Mansize Wreath'
'Hollow Man'
'West of the Fields'
'Houston'
'Living Well is the Best Revenge'
'Man on the Moon'
'I'm Gonna DJ'
'Walk Unafraid'
'Horse To Water'

The band played the Royal Albert Hall last Monday, a show broadcast live on the radio.