Watch R.E.M. reunite again to perform ‘Pretty Persuasion’ at hometown concert

R.E.M. made a surprise appearance yet again last night (February 27) during a tribute gig celebrating their classic debut album ‘Murmur’.

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All four members of the band – Michael Stipe, Bill Berry, Peter Buck and Mike Mills – made an unexpected return to the 40 Watt Club venue in their home city of Athens, Georgia as part of actor Michael Shannon and musician Jason Narducy’s current tour – which sees the pair play 1983’s ‘Murmur’ in full along with a handful of their favourite R.E.M. songs.

It comes just over a year after the band did the same thing in 2024. Unlike their last appearance though the R.E.M. actually all performed together last night on ‘Pretty Persuasion’ with the duo. You can view footage below.

Throughout the night, various members of the band also helped out on The Velvet Underground covers ‘Femme Fatale’ and ‘There She Goes Again’ with Patti Smith guitarist Lenny Kaye. Comedian Dave Hill also joined the band on a slow version of Aerosmith’s ‘Toys In The Attic’ at the close.

The band previously all played together for a surprise performance of ‘Losing My Religion’ after they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame last June, shortly after their first interview as a group in 30 years aired on CBS.

It was the first time the band had performed together publicly since 2009.

R.E.M. broke up in 2011 after 31 years together. Bill Berry had previously departed the band in 1997, with Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills continuing as a trio. The drummer reunited with the group a handful of times in the ’00s, including a performance at the Georgia Theatre in Athens in 2006.

During their interview with CBS last summer R.E.M. confirmed they never reunite as a full-time band, saying that it would “never be as good” if they did.

When asked what it would take to get them back together, Mills quipped “a comet”, while Berry added, “superglue”.

Elsewhere, the band recently contributed to a new compilation album in aid of those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires alongside Interpol, Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, Modest Mouse, Blondshell, The War On Drugs, MJ Lenderman, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Mac DeMarco and more.

Shannon and Narducy meanwhile, are due to hit the UK for R.E.M.’s ‘Fables Of The Reconstruction’ later this year. You can purchase tickets here.

You can view the original article HERE.