R.E.M. surprised fans with an unexpected reunion at a tribute show in their home town of Athens, GA this week.
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The group’s Michael Stipe, Bill Berry, Peter Buck and Mike Mills showed up at the 40 Watt Club venue Thursday night (February 8) where actor, Michael Shannon, and musician, Jason Narducy, were performing a show on their current tour, which features them covering R.E.M.’s Murmur album from 1983 in addition to other hits by the group.
With the reunion being a total surprise, the only footage is clips posted to social media by attendees who happened to catch the moment on video.
“Speaking on behalf of Bill and Mike and Peter, we are so f***ing thrilled to be here tonight,” Stipe can be heard telling the crowd in one fan clip.
The legendary group officially split in 2011 telling fans they would not reunite after 31 years together. While details surrounding their appearance together in Athens this week are few, as far as we know, this reunion was a one-off appearance and the guys still have no plans to reunite musically.