R.E.M.
R.E.M. have just announced their North American tour. Now... remember I said I had some news for June? Well, you didn't hear this from me, but R.E.M. will be playing Utrecht and Amsterdam on June 21 and 23. They haven't played The Netherlands properly since 1987 (!), and only one festival appearance since. On their two other tours, they had to cancel their Dutch shows due to various members being ill. Needless to say, I'm thrilled and I can't wait to see them again. But anyway. You didn't hear this from me. OK?
Hi Ms. Von B-- why is it a secret?
I first saw them in 1984 at a University Indoor Track & Tennis field. I went to wait in line in the middle of the day so I could stand in front. No one else was there. FOR HOURS, no one else showed up. I finally left to get something to eat, and came back. STILL NO ONE THERE. So I got to be front row center in this really tiny indoor field. Husker Du opened. Seems like yesterday, could it really be 19 years ago? Am I really that old now? I have seen them many times since, and have especially fond memories of getting to hang out with them backstage several times when I worked in the record 'biz' in the mid-80s in L.A. (in my youth). O.K., enough musings. Back to work.
-S-
It's a secret because it hasn't been announced yet - and promotors like to do that themselves. I'm wondering when the hell they're going to announce it.
I've seen 'em three times. Utrecht 87 and Pinkpop 89, and Werchter, in Belgium - also in 89.