To: Michael Stipe (frontman of the rock band R.E.M.)

Re: R.E.M.’s performance at Merriweather Post Pavilion on June 11, 2008

Dear Mr. Stipe,

Last night I attended your band’s show at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. To be honest with you up front, I was what you would call - a fan of the hits. While I very much enjoy your vocals and your band’s sound, I’ve never been more of a casual fan, knowing just a few select songs, the “Losing My Religion” and “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” types - you know, in other words, the hits?

However, after very much enjoying your band’s most recent effort, Accelerate, and noticing you would be supported by The National and Modest Mouse on your U.S. tour, I decided to go the Craig’s List route and pick up a ticket for the June 11 show at Merriweather Post Pavilion. At the very least, I thought, I’d know a few of the songs played, especially the news ones, and would also have an opportunity to see two other acts I very much enjoy.

As you know, doors opened at 5:00 p.m., The National were scheduled to begin at 6:30. I left my house at 4:30 - plenty of time, I thought, to make the 50-mile trek up I-95. Yet as I crossed the Maryland state border, I was greeted with bumper-to-bumper traffic, something that would remain prevalent for the rest of the drive. Some two-plus hours and a number of illegal driving moves later, I finally pulled into the pavilion’s parking lot at 7:30.

I was not too broken up about missing The National, after all, I will be seeing them later this summer at Lollapalooza. However, I did find myself running through the parking lot in hopes of making Modest Mouse in time - something when you think about it, is certainly silly considering, when do Modest Mouse ever start on time?

To my surprise, my first glimpses of the stage were met by site of Isaac Brock and company gearing up to perform their first note. They were only five minutes late! Thankfully, I was able to watch all of the Washington natives’ 45-minute set, most of it from the comfort of my metal folding chair. But you can read more about that on WNEW.com. This letter is about R.E.M.’s performance.

If you remember correctly, you and your band took the stage a little before nine, opening with an enthusiastic and powerful rendition of “Finest Worksong”, followed by the always popular “Living Well’s the Best Revenge”. As I gazed on, I was awed by not only your energy and dance moves, but also the quality of your vocals. Never, other than an occasional Springsteen performance or two, had I heard a frontman sing with such overpowering elegance.

Your band also sounded phenomenal, offering an incredibly tight sound that can only be achieved by talents and years of experience.  By the time “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” came on, I felt as if I was listening to a record rather than a live performance. A song I later found to be called “Ignoreland” was equally stellar, thanks to your brilliant vocals backed by a restrained, yet potent classic alternative rock style.

I very much enjoyed all of the new material as well. From the grace and sincerity of “Hollow Man” to the “Horse To Water” and its infectious, sing-a-long catchiness, each of the songs appearing on Accelerate that were performed last night were fun, and offered numerous examples that even after 20 years, you and your band can still crank out the hits  - and make them sound unbelievable both recorded and live.

As the end of the main set drew to a near, I had fully realized the reasons for the appeal and success that your band has experienced. Between your musical excellence, down-to-earth persona, and the resulting overwhelming fun and ruckus nature found at your show, R.E.M. offers everything you could ask for when it comes to a rock band. By the time the opening chords of “Supernatural Superserious” rang from the speakers, the first song of your encore, I could be found promising myself to buy every album in hopes of making up for lost time in my education of your band.

Mr. Stipe, you have a new convert to R.E.M. super fandom. I’m sorry it took so long, but I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve heard a story like this. In fact, I would bet hundreds of people undergo a similar change after seeing R.E.M. live for the first time. Besides, with a performance like you delivered last night, why wouldn’t you?

Thanks you for your time,
Alex Young

P.S. In case you don’t remember, here is your set list from last night…

Finest Worksong
Living Well’s the Best Revenge
Bad Day
What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?
Drive
Ignoreland
Man-Sized Wreath
Little America
Hollow Man
Walk Unafraid
Houston
Electrolite
(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville
Pop Song 89
Horse To Water
The One I Love
Driver 8
Until The Day Is Done
Let Me In
These Days
Orange Crush
I’m Gonna DJ
Encore
Supernatural Superserious
Losing My Religion
Mr. Richards
Fall On Me*
Man On The Moon*

*With Johnny Marr

Categories: Concert Reviews, Features, News
Tags: Modest Mouse, R.E.M., The National