March 26, 2008 22:47

REM mix new album with rarities at secret London show

The band also get fans to vote on which big hit they should play

REM mixed new album 'Accelerate' with a host of old rarities at their show in the Apple Store in central London's Regent Street tonight (March 26).

The band played eight songs from their new record, out next Monday (March 31). But the group also chose to give relatively rare outings to 80s gems 'West Of The Fields' (from 1983 debut album 'Murmur'), 'Auctioneer (Another Engine)' (from 1985's 'Fables Of The Reconstruction') and 'Fall On Me' (from 1986's 'Lifes Rich Pageant').

REM, playing their second London show this week after a show at the UK capital’s Royal Albert Hall on Monday (March 24), also gave the 450-capacity crowd the choice of which huge hit they wanted to hear played - 'Man On The Moon' just pipping 'Losing My Religion'.

Frontman Michael Stipe was in chatty mood, revealing himself to be a firm fan of Apple's products and telling the audience he was going for a curry as soon as the show was over.

The new songs showcased included album opener 'Living Well Is The Best Revenge', 'Hollow Man', 'Man Sized Wreath' and new single 'Supernatural Superserious'.

The full set was:

'Bad Day'
'Auctioneer (Another Engine)'
'Supernatural Superserious'
'Fall On Me'
'Man Sized Wreath'
'Hollow Man'
'West Of The Fields'
'Houston'
'Living Well Is The Best Revenge'
'Man On The Moon'
'I'm Gonna DJ'
'Walk Unafraid'
'Horse To Water'

The band return to the UK and Ireland with headlining performances at the Oxegen and T In The Park festivals in July, followed by a stadium tour in August.

The shows will take place in Manchester, Cardiff, Southampton and Twickenham.

The UK and Irish dates are:

Oxegen Festival (July 12)

T In The Park Festival (July 13)

Manchester Lancashire County Cricket Club (August 24)

Cardiff Millennium Stadium (25)

Southampton Rose Bowl (27)

London Twickenham Stadium (30)

To check the availability of REM tickets (not the festivals, which are sold out) and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/GIGS now, or call 0871 230 1094.