Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy Bring Joy Through R.E.M. Tribute Tour

The actor and musician are covering deep cuts and full albums, keeping the band's songs alive for devoted fans.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 2:23pm

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Actor Michael Shannon and musician Jason Narducy have been touring with an all-star R.E.M. tribute band, playing the band's deep cuts and full albums for packed houses of devoted fans. The shows have featured surprise appearances from R.E.M. members like Michael Stipe, who joined them onstage to sing his own songs, calling the experience "fucking surreal." Shannon and Narducy are burning through the R.E.M. catalog chronologically, with plans to cover Document, Out of Time, and more in the coming years.

Why it matters

R.E.M. is considered one of the all-time great American bands, with an untouchable songbook that has endured even 15 years after their breakup. Shannon and Narducy's tribute shows are keeping that music alive for longtime fans and introducing it to new generations, tapping into the deep connection people feel to R.E.M.'s innovative and emotionally resonant songs.

The details

Shannon and Narducy's R.E.M. tribute band includes friends from bands like Wilco, the Mountain Goats, and Bob Mould's group. They started the project in 2023 just for fun, playing a one-off show covering R.E.M.'s debut album Murmur. But the shows proved so popular that the project snowballed into a full-fledged tour, with the band now working chronologically through R.E.M.'s catalog, including deep cuts and obscure B-sides that even hardcore fans may not know.

  • The tour wraps up on Monday, March 16, in Bloomington, Indiana, where R.E.M. originally recorded their 1986 album Lifes Rich Pageant.
  • In February, when the band played a show in R.E.M.'s hometown of Athens, Georgia, all four ex-R.E.M. members spontaneously joined them onstage to play "Pretty Persuasion."

The players

Michael Shannon

An Oscar and Tony-nominated actor who sings lead vocals in the R.E.M. tribute band, bringing his own interpretations to the band's songs.

Jason Narducy

An indie rock musician known for playing with bands like Wilco, Superchunk, and Sunny Day Real Estate, who co-founded the R.E.M. tribute project with Shannon.

Michael Stipe

The lead singer of the original R.E.M., who has joined Shannon and Narducy onstage to sing his own songs, calling the experience "fucking surreal."

Peter Buck

The guitarist of the original R.E.M., who joined the tribute band onstage in Athens, Georgia, to play "Pretty Persuasion."

R.E.M.

The influential American rock band whose catalog Shannon and Narducy are chronologically covering with their all-star tribute project.

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What they’re saying

“I never thought that I would hear a Shakespearean recitation of 'E-Bow the Letter!'”

— Michael Stipe (Rolling Stone)

“Hearing his songs played by these guys was 'fucking surreal.'”

— Michael Stipe (Rolling Stone)

“I'm learning while I'm doing it, learning about the music. I'm learning about Michael and singing and trying to figure out how the hell he did it, because his range is insane. I mean, I'm singing bass to falsetto, everything in between.”

— Michael Shannon, Actor (Rolling Stone)

“Mike is just taking this to another level with his singing and his presentation of these incredible stories.”

— Jason Narducy, Musician (Rolling Stone)

“People have been offering us millions of dollars to do this, and we just did it for free.”

— Peter Buck, Guitarist, R.E.M. (Rolling Stone)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This tour celebrating R.E.M.'s enduring music has become a joyful communal experience for longtime fans and new listeners alike, tapping into the deep connection people feel to the band's innovative and emotionally resonant songs. Shannon and Narducy's interpretations are keeping R.E.M.'s legacy alive in a way that feels fresh and revelatory.