This entry might have been longer if we had made it in time for The National. I have a bone to pick with The Hollywood Bowl 6:30 start times, but this isn’t that kind of blog (or maybe it will be by the time I’m done).
So there comes a point in the traffic where you accept it, you will not be seeing the opener tonight. Fitting then that the lyrics, “Alright, already, we’ll all ‘Float On’” greeted us at the gates. Modest Mouse was half way through. Jessie and I did what any LA type does at these shows: got a bottle of wine and sushi from the concession stand. A nice mild night set in and with all necessary steps taken, we could finally sit back and take in the real star of the evening: the venue.
Really though, It’s R.E.M.; a band that practically started alternative music. They’ve handled success and fame with grace; it doesn’t surprise me that Radiohead credits them for so much. Here’s an act that remains “cool” over 25 years since breaking out.
Spin’s Charles Aaron once said, “"They've shown how far an underground, punk-inspired rock band could go within the industry without whoring out its artistic integrity in any obvious way. They'd figured out how to buy in, not sellout-in other words, they've achieved the American Bohemian Dream."
Who can’t appreciate that?
I wasn’t even going to fake being more acquainted with their 14-album catalog than your average member of the MTV generation. But I rarely felt like an outsider on Thursday, mostly because I think everyone kind of felt like an outsider. 9 of the 25 songs played were from the new album, and the rest spanned not so much the “hits” but more the stages of the band. There were a few sing-along moments. And a few times where I looked around in awe of how meaningful certain songs were to people. But other parts were spent literally talking. Like conversing in the middle of songs. I hate the guy that does that. And I was he.
It sounded like R.E.M. in a box. It just wasn’t loud enough. I’ve heard some pretty harsh feedback on the set list and I don’t need to join in. But give the people what they want; this is an expensive night after all.
Michael Stipe was sharp, even if he kept saying how worried he was about this being their 3rd show of the tour and all. Hopefully they will make tweaks to the remainder of it. And I enjoyed every time he rambled in between songs. I simply like Michael Stipe.
The Bowl proves that people can actually enjoy live rock music while remaining seated. At least “Losing My Religion” got everyone standing. And “Man on the Moon” was nice way to close. I’ll say it again though; the draw here is an amphitheater in the hills.
One real complaint: whoever was working the big screen camera controls was useless. I personally would have liked to hear “Nightswimming” and “Strange Currencies”, but 110 minutes can only hold so much legend.