R.E.M. Celebrates 40 Years with Special Michael Shannon Concert

CHICAGO, Ill. — A sold-out crowd flocked to the Metro on March 14, 2025, for a special concert featuring actor Michael Shannon and a tribute to R.E.M. The evening marked the 40th anniversary of R.E.M.’s iconic album, “Fables of the Reconstruction,” drawing in both fans of Shannon and the legendary band.

Shannon, along with guitarist Jason Narducy and their backing band, performed the album in its entirety, delighting audiences with hit songs that inspired singalongs, including the classic, “Gardening at Night.” The event was the culmination of a month-long tour spanning 18 cities—highlighting deep cuts and an encore that captivated the crowd.

Having made his mark in Hollywood, Shannon’s roots trace back to Chicago, where he performed at smaller venues before achieving fame. He formed the indie band Corporal in 2007 after relocating to New York. His longstanding musical collaboration with Narducy extends over a decade, further solidifying their Chicago connection.

The tour was a follow-up to a successful 2024 series celebrating the 40th anniversary of R.E.M.’s debut album, “Murmur.” This was spurred by a well-received one-off show at the Metro in 2024, which opened doors for more performances across the country.

“It’s great to be here again at Metro,” Shannon expressed from stage. “This is where it started.” His emotional sentiment resonated with attendees, echoing the deep connection between the artist and the venue.

Last year, the tour stopped in R.E.M.’s hometown of Athens, Georgia, where all four original members—Michael Stipe, Bill Berry, Peter Buck, and Mike Mills—joined them for R.E.M.’s first reunion in 13 years during a special performance of “Pretty Persuasion.”

The Chicago set included almost 40 songs, with deep cuts primarily lifted from R.E.M.’s early discography, alongside a few tracks from 1997’s “New Adventures in Hi-Fi,” including the poignant “New Test Leper.” At times, Shannon took a moment to engage with the audience, sharing a story that humorously introduced “Life and How to Live It,” as well as inviting a representative from the nonprofit Abortion Access Front to the stage.

As the concert neared its conclusion, Shannon and the band energized the crowd with a final encore featuring the beloved “Radio Free Europe,” and welcomed Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy to lead a rendition of “There She Goes Again” by The Velvet Underground.