The end of R.E.M. – a look back at their concert history

So it was announced yesterday that rock veterans R.E.M. have called it a day after 30 years of making music. A message on their website broke the news:

“To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening.” R.E.M.

They’re a band who went from being indie heroes in the 80s to global superstars today; and throughout this time they have toured extensively – their gigography on Songkick documents that they’ve played over 1,500 shows! Here’s a look back at some of their live history contributed by the Songkick community:

Playing in Germany in 1985 – Michael Stipe’s dancing in this is brilliant (added by Blazin):

1999 poster for their UK dates in London and Manchester:

Pin and ticket stub from the Virginia, US, 1986:

Playing at Oxegen Festival, 2008:

Slightly muffled, but still a good ‘un – performing End of the World… in the Czech Republic, 2008 (added by stajpik):

Setlist froma 2003 Ohio show:

And two cents (and an old ticket stub!) from a Songkicker on Twitter:

Other interesting touring facts:

- The city they’ve played in the most is at Atlanta with over 100 appearances there (New York 49 times, London 38 times)

- They’ve played with Radiohead 35 times

- Their first concert under the name R.E.M. was at the 11:11 Koffee Club in Athens, Ga, 1980 (via remtimeline.com)

You can check out the rest of their touring history here!

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