Feb 12

Feb 12 Review: Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends play R.E.M.’s 'Murmur' at 40 Watt Club

It was as if we were destined to be there.

After some hemming, hawing, and random mutterings about “day jobs” and “school nights,” your faithful team of music journalists made arrangements to head down to Athens, Ga., on Feb. 8 to see Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends play R.E.M.’s Murmur at the 40 Watt Club — aka R.E.M. Central. If one or more members of the legendary band were going to make an appearance and possibly even play a song or two onstage, it would be here, not the following, potentially more convenient night at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro. But even if none materialized, the opportunity to see one of our favorite actors (clad in a Linqua Franqa T-shirt, a nod to Athens-based hip-hop artist/county commissioner Mariah Parker) perform one of our favorite band’s work in their hometown venue was special enough.

Little did we know that the entirety of R.E.M. would be there, briefly sharing a stage for the first time in 17 years, or that we’d get to take in all three sets from the unexpectedly tight six-piece tribute ensemble while sitting directly behind singer/songwriter Michael Stipe in the intimate VIP section. Witnessing the frontman react in real time to the loving renditions of his songs, occasionally shaking his head in appreciation of the groove, goes down as one of the most surreal experiences of our lives. And while Stipe kept his contributions at the mic to one heartfelt thanks at the end of the night — “Speaking on behalf of Bill and Mike and Peter, we are so fucking thrilled to be here tonight” — he seemed truly elated to be in attendance, and more than content to let his bandmates take the stage instead.

Seeing various permutations of Mike Mills (pictured with Shannon, left, and Narducy in the lead image), Peter Buck, and Bill Berry nonchalantly leave conversations, glide up the side stairs, and join the group for “Perfect Circle,” “Pretty Persuasion,” “So. Central Rain,” and a few other selections simultaneously reinforced their superstar status and the fact that they’re simply human beings, excited to spend time with old friends. And the band — on night four of its nine-date, two week tour — did more than right by the evening’s honorees.

Shannon’s passionate vocals held steady throughout the 31-song setlist, while guitarist Narducy and fellow instrumentalists Jon Wurster (drums), Dag Juhlin (guitar), Nick Macri (bass), and Vijay Tellis-Nayak (keys) faithfully kicked out the jams with impressive cohesion. And though it may seem an odd fit on paper, the comedic stylings of Dave Hill (himself a gifted guitarist) proved an entertaining lead-in for the jaw-dropping wonder that defined the rest of the night.

All told, it was one of those magical musical experiences so improbable that you cherish every moment while reminding yourself that you’re not dreaming. We’re still processing the sights and sounds a few days later — one more sign that it’s a night we’ll never forget.

(Photos by Micah Rogers)