Just thought I'd write something about this because I'd feel daft if I didn't, considering what an incredible day it was. I just hope someone wants to read it :)

It was basically a perfect day - beautiful weather, great company, perfect positioning (two rows from the front, directly in front of the God of Cool that is Mike Mills), and most of all a brilliant, brilliant performance.

Support bands - Jonathan Rice was a bit samey and out of place, but Idlewild were excellent and Feeder surprised me with a great show that transcended the inherent averageness of their music.

It was the last gig of the tour and everyone knew it would be something special, but they honestly exceeded all my expectations with a cracking set and a performance that exuded class and energy.

There wasn't a weak moment to be honest but highlights for me were an echo-tastic Drive, an out-of-the-blue rarity in Sitting Still, a fucking intense and visceral So Fast So Numb, Nightswimming (which was almost impossibly beautiful as the sun went down), End Of The World (for only the second time this tour) and of course E-Bow The Letter featuring a guest appearance from Patti Smith (it's my favourite REM song ever, and I was nearly in tears). Even stuff which sounds flat as a pancake on the new record (*cough* Wanderlust *cough) were hugely enjoyable, and the new song I'm Gonna DJ sounded a LOT better than last time I heard it.

The crowd were fantastic too; everyone was singing every word back and were completely into the show. Dunno what it was like back in General Admission though, but certainly where I was the atmosphere was fantastic.

I couldn't have asked for more, it was one of the best days ever.

Setlists in order of bands playing:

Idlewild -
LITTLE DISCOURAGE
LOVE STEALS US FROM LONELINESS
YOU HELD THE WORLD IN YOUR ARMS
A MODERN WAY OF LETTING GO
WELCOME HOME
EL CAPITAN
LIVE IN A HIDING PLACE
BLAME IT ON THE OBVIOUS WAYS
I UNDERSTAND IT
AMERICAN ENGLISH

Feeder -
COME BACK AROUND
WE CAN'T REWIND
JUST THE WAY I'M FEELING
BUCK ROGERS
FEELING A MOMENT
PUSHING THE SENSES
TUMBLE AND FALL
(some song i didnt know)
BITTER GLASS
JUST A DAY

REM -
BAD DAY
WHAT'S THE FREQUENCY KENNETH
THE ONE I LOVE
DRIVE
THE OUTSIDERS
SITTING STILL
WANDERLUST
ANIMAL
LEAVING NEW YORK
EVERYBODY HURTS
ELECTRON BLUE
ME IN HONEY
ELECTROLITE
SO FAST SO NUMB
E-BOW THE LETTER
FINAL STRAW
ORANGE CRUSH
WALK UNAFRAID
LOSING MY RELIGION
___________________

IMITATION OF LIFE
THE GREAT BEYOND
NIGHTSWIMMING
IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT
I'M GONNA DJ
MAN ON THE MOON