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R.E.M. PLAYS SURPRISE HOMETOWN GIG FOR LAND AID

R.E.M. in Athens, Ga.

Local pop heroes R.E.M. played a surprise mini-gig on the steps of the County Courthouse in Athens, Ga. Sunday (Oct. 22) night in support of a land use rally. The band, which has not played publicly in its hometown for eight years, played a three-song set during a benefit called Land Aid, which was held to raise awareness about issues such as suburban sprawl, air/water quality, and potential real estate development in the Athens area.Singer Michael Stipe began the group's contribution to the evening's events by mounting the courthouse steps alone with a boombox in hand. The bespectacled frontman sang along to a backing track for a song entitled "I've Been High," which is likely to be included on the band's forthcoming album. The song, a melancholy electronic ballad, resembled synthesizer-based tracks such as "Hope" from the group 1998 Up album.Stipe then introduced guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills, who joined him for acoustic renditions of the pro-environment tune "Fall on Me" and their mega-hit "Losing My Religion."When the members of the band put their instruments down, Stipe lingered in front of the crowd of approximately 1,000 people to deliver a brief, but impassioned address. "Obviously we consider Athens to be a very special town, and most of us want to keep it that way." Stipe said reading from his now-trademark music stand. "We came here tonight to show our solidarity with everyone here. We all know Athens is going to grow. There's a line in the song 'Fall on Me' about progress and foresight. And that's really what this is about. Progress is not a bad thing. But it seems to me that a lot of people in power have one question, 'How can the maximum dollars be squeezed out of every acre of land?'"To me, that's not the question to be asking," he continued. "Issues like quality of life, sustainable development, alternative transportation, and preservation of green space are the critical decisions for Athens, Georgia. In short, demand accountability from your elected officials. Demand a rational land use plan that considers the public interest as well as private interests. Demand smart growth instead of cookie cutter subdivisions. I think that's what all of us gathered here tonight are asking of the people who govern this very small part of the northeastern corner of our fair state of Georgia. We live here. We've invested a great deal of time and energy in making this a unique and positive community and we'd like it to continue to be that way, for all the people that I see here tonight. We deserve that."Land Aid organizer Julie Powell says of the band's participation, "I was real hesitant to in any way involve R.E.M., but a lot of people suggested that they should play or speak. But what I did do was to write Michael Stipe a letter, saying 'I just want to let you know about this event, how it happened and how I envision it. You've been a huge supporter of what's been going on in this community, and I'm letting you know that we would welcome any participation that you want to give.' I left it that, and I never heard anything until about 11 p.m. on Saturday night."Along with her efforts and those of several helpful community groups, Powell credits R.E.M. manager Bertis Downs for his personal contribution. "He would call me from Dublin where the band were recording, or from the local bakery just with ideas. He gave me encouragement and support the whole way through."The band, which has been recording at a local studio for the past week, is at work on its 12th album. The new record, which is due for release in spring 2001, according to Buck "pretty much picks up where the last one left off."

By Joe Silva - 24th October 2000

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