Re: Patti with R.E.M. tonight at London's Hyde Park (July 16th, 2005)

[Andrew F Wilson <andrewfwilson>]

Happy in Hyde Park 
Reviewed by John Aizlewood
Evening Standard, Monday, 18 July 2005

If any band should be unsuited to the massive stage, it is R.E.M.
Unlike, say, Bon Jovi, they rose by nuance. Even those who followed
Michael Stipe's muffled, mumbled lyrics struggled to discern their
meaning, while the most mesmerising aspect of live shows was Stipe's
ability to make eye contact with each audience member.

How things change. On Saturday, against a backdrop of a gorgeous
sunset, glistening moon, Heathrow-bound planes (plus an ominous cloud
of smoke from a fire at Staples Corner), R.E.M. seduced 80,000 people.

"Are you happy to be at Hyde Park on a beautiful sunny day?" hollered
Stipe, part Jon Bon Jovi, part Crackerjack presenter, wholly a rock
titan. "Me f***ing too! Whoo!" They could hardly have looked more at
home if they were playing a medium-sized bar in their native Athens,
Georgia.

Beginning wearing a shirt and tie and ending topless two hours later,
Stipe has evolved into a master of the big gesture. Yet, aided by
giant video screens, he still managed the eye contact.

As this date - rescheduled after the London bombings - concluded their
year-long tour of the world's stadia, there was a distinct end-of-term
feel. They hurtled through Losing My Religion with the air of men with
room service to order.

Patti Smith joined them, not alas for the loathed (by the band
themselves at least) Shiny Happy People, which they still refuse to
exhume, but on E-Bow the Letter. Unfortunately, Smith was inaudible.
Later, after delivering a lovely Nightswimming seated atop Mike
Mills's piano, Stipe attempted to play said piano with his feet and
kissed the startled Mills (think Joe 90 gone to seed) on the mouth.

Despite last year's Leaving New York being deservedly received as a
truly great R.E.M. song, they delved too deeply into their most recent
album, Around the Sun. As a result, the hits were cherry-picked.
Everybody Hurts was compassionate and comforting; It's the End of the
World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine) was punkishly ramshackle, while
Man on the Moon was a reminder of when R.E.M. were the finest band on
the planet.

Now, it is time to recharge their batteries. Stipe bade farewell with
a cheery "We'll see you again next time," and despite its unpromising
title, a new song, I'm Gonna DJ, was strong enough to suggest there
actually will be a next time. Let's hope so.