Unintentional occurrence leads to R.E.M. band reunions: Interviewing the key figures responsible
R.E.M. and the Fables of the Reconstruction UK Tour: A Nostalgic Journey
After a successful run of US dates, the Fables of the Reconstruction UK tour is set to bring 1985's classic album to the UK this summer. The band, led by Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy, will perform from August 19 to 26.
This tour, inspired by R.E.M.'s third studio album, has been a labour of love for the duo. They have been performing one-off gigs together for over a decade, honouring songs by the likes of Lou Reed, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan. However, the R.E.M. project is unique, as they are playing someone else's music, in this case, the iconic R.E.M.
The R.E.M. members, intrigued by the duo's connection to the R.E.M. community, were curious about what Shannon and Narducy were up to. The band members, with their own commitments, prefer to keep the R.E.M. project as a fun, non-routine activity. There are no plans for the R.E.M. project to last for five or six years down the line.
For Narducy, the technical challenge is soon overcome, and the R.E.M. project becomes emotional. He can lose himself in the music, feeling a deep connection to the songs. Similarly, Shannon, who studied Fables over and over and listened to it every night before a show, has immersed himself in these songs, aiming to get under their skin.
The duo had to learn a huge, forty-song list for the R.E.M. project and burn the songs into their memory. The dedication and passion they have for this project are evident in their performances.
The R.E.M. members joined the duo on stage for the first time in seventeen years at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia in February 2023. Mike Mills, a member of R.E.M., had already joined them on stage in Chicago in July 2023.
While the tour is imminent, publicly available sources do not yet include reviews or audience reception of their performances. Any detailed critical reception or audience feedback will likely emerge following the tour dates in late August 2025.
In the meantime, fans can look forward to a nostalgic journey as the band tours "Life's Rich Pageant" for its fortieth anniversary next year. Tickets for the Fables Of The Reconstruction UK tour are currently on sale. The shows for the tour have been pretty thrilling, according to Michael Shannon, promising an unforgettable experience for fans.
- The Fables of the Reconstruction UK tour will continue with a focus on R.E.M.'s classic album, set to release in the UK this summer.
- The band, comprising Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy, will play a series of prog-inspired live shows from August 19 to 26.
- Their R.E.M. project, a labour of love, includes performances of songs by Lou Reed, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and now, R.E.M.
- R.E.M. members have taken notice of the duo's connection to their community and have joined them on stage for select performances.
- For Narducy, the technical aspect of the R.E.M. project gives way to an emotional connection with the classic rock songs.
- Shannon, who deeply immerses himself in the songs, aims to get under their skin as they perform iconic tracks from the '80s metal band.
- With a forty-song list to learn and a dedicated passion for the project, the duo delivers captivating and enthralling performances.
- The upcoming tour, while lacking critical reviews at the moment, promises a nostalgic journey as they tour "Life's Rich Pageant" for its fortieth anniversary, with tickets currently available for purchase.
