R.E.M. – Oberhausen; September 17th 2008

After stupidly not going to see them in Hamburg in 2003 and missing them in 2005 (even though I had a ticket), I decided that the chance might not come again and spontaneously bought a ticket for the show in Oberhausen. On the day of the show I was having second thoughts: I was much too tired to go and not really in concert mood. Then again, it was as close to home as they were going to come and I was sure I would like it. The last two weeks prior to the show I listened to their back catalogue, realizing that I know only the hits and some selected songs. So there was no way I was going to be able to sing along.

I arrived about 1 hour before the doors opened. There was first some confusion regarding the right entrance, but it was cleared up quickly. Once we were let in, I got a spot in third row – not bad for so little effort.

At 8:00 p.m. the support act “We are Scientists” started. They were OK, but nothing to write home about. The sound was pretty awful too – way too loud and not well mixed in my opinion. Then break for changing of stage setup.

R.E.M. started at 9:20 with ‘Living well is the best revenge’. Luckily the sound was much better and I could see well too. It took me quite some time to get into it, but I should not have expected to fall right into the music. Yet it felt strange not to be able to sing along every line and not to have my eyes glued on one person on stage 😉

Before ‘Man sized wreath’ Michael announced that they still hated their government and before ‘The one I love’ he told us a story about not getting the heat to work at the last hotel and being too embarrassed to ask about it. Hence, he had a head cold now and needed our help singing.

He was still in a great mood and got close to the audience, coming off stage, shaking hands. I laughed really hard when he said that “We don’t hire dancers or backup singers. That’s cheesy… A different kind of cheesy than we are.” He also talked to someone holding a request sign “You, with the sign. I have seen it, you can take it down now. I’m worried about your arms.” XD

They played many hits, which was good for someone like me, but also catered to the fans with ‘Just a touch’ a song they had not played for 19 years according to Peter.

It was a great concert overall and I had fun watching what was going on. I smiled to myself when I noticed I enjoyed the hits most. Some of the die-hard fans must have rolled their eyes, thinking “I wish they’d skipped that one”, but I was happy I did get to hear ‘Losing my religion’. The show was well worth the trip.

Setlist

Living Well Is the Best Revenge
What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?
I Took Your Name
Second Guessing
Drive
Walk Unafraid
Man-Sized Wreath
Ignoreland
Great Beyond
Hollowman
Circus Envy
Just A Touch
Electrolite
One I Love
Rockville
I’ve Been High
Let Me In
Bad Day
Horse To Water
Orange Crush
It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Encore
Supernatural Superserious
Imitation Of Life
Sing for the Submarine
Losing My Religion
Man On The Moon