Han, our West Coast Big, writes up a rather pleasant review of the Wilco and REM show that recently hit Los Angeles.
The band looked downright peppy, bouncing around with abandon, none more so than Michael Stipe. Long gone is the shy mumbler of the early days and the melodramtic poses of the Green and Monster tours. Instead, Stipe seems mostly himself, comfortable in his own skin at last. While he still has a set of rehearsed moves, his awkward physicality keeps it from looking choreographed and his self-deprecating stage banter is more anecdotal and conversational than ever. Instead of a ringmaster or master showman, he acts more like the concerned host of a party of 15,000 friends. (full review)
If you’d like to compare and contrast, you can read our review of REM in England here, in England Made Me.