REM big up Barack Obama at first gig of 2008

REM frontman Michael Stipe sported a Barack Obama T-shirt as the band made their first live appearance of the year at the Langerado Festival in Big Cypress, Florida at the weekend (March 8).

The band are well known as Democrats, having gone on the 'Vote For Change' tour in 2004 aimed at removing George W Bush from his position as president. And Stipe made it clear who he wants to get the Democratic nomination to take on Republican nominee John McCain, Obama currently battling with Hillary Clinton for the nomination.

REM played eight songs from new album 'Accelerate', out on March 31. These included the title track, new single 'Supernatural Superserious' and 'I'm Gonna DJ', which was a regular on the band’s last world tour in 2004/2005.

The set was:

'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?'
'Living Well Is The Best Revenge'
'Bad Day'
'Drive'
'Hollow Man'
'So. Central Rain'
'Fall On Me'
'Imitation Of Life'
'Man-Sized Wreath'
'Begin The Begin'
'Orange Crush'
'Accelerate'
'Electrolite'
'Houston'
'Losing My Religion'
'Horse to Water'
'Walk Unafraid'
'The One I Love'
'Supernatural Superserious'
'Auctioneer (Another Engine)'
'I'm Gonna DJ'
'Man On The Moon'

REM’s next show is on Wednesday (March 12) at Stubbs’ Bar-B-Q at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.