R.E.M. played later than scheduled @ Jones Beach

And then REM came out and opened with a cover of Have You Ever Seen the Rain and then So. Central Rain, in the rain. It was really amazing. The National were great, opened with Start A War, closed with Mr. November, and also played (not in this order) Brainy, Baby We'll Be Fine, Mistaken For Strangers, Squalor Victoria, Racing Like A Pro, Slow Show, Apartment Story and Fake Empire.

The storm, the lightning bolt that hit the venue, the delay, the show and especially REM coming on in the rain... unforgettable night.

Does anyone know if the National at summerstage is sold out?

Wow -- what a completely ludicrous press release. A complete fabrication. There was lightning for the ENTIRETY of Modest Mouse's set. The "rain delay" was called when the venue was a struck by lightning, "causing sparks to fly from the building". And the delay was 90 minutes. Patrons were told various things by the employees at the venue -- ranging from "go home" to "wait it out". These employees had no idea what to do (at least in the upper part of the venue). They put their patrons at risk.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-lijone0615,0,4641370.story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MflikterVoI

(Somewhat related, The National was pretty awesome. I didn't stay for REM; I'll catch them some other time at another venue.)

I have a pair (face) and a single for REM at MSG if anyone is interested. chillsus2 @yahoo.com.

and Michael Stipe's opening greeting was: "Welcome to REM Survivor 2008"

yeah lightening definitely hit the arena and sparks flew, I'm amazed they didn't lose power. Fortunately it was pretty warm as I (and everyone else) was soaked to the bone. But it seemed like a good majority stuck it out for the long delay (REM didn't come on till about 10:15) and we were rewarded with a great show. The National was awesome too, I felt kinda bad for them that there was hardly anyone in the seats at that early point, but those who were got a great set. Everyone ran out before Modest Mouse finished (that's when the lightening struck!) Pretty amazing lightening too!)

Great show regardless of the rain. Nice to see Johnny Marr with the band.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/high-tea/sets/72157605615412192/

Check out our show review of the show.

Actually The National and Modest Mouse were not that good. Unless you are these dorks above you have probably seen both these bands in better smaller venues before. R.E.M were fucking great though. Loose and relaxed as a result of the rain and the fact that they were looking out at a crowd that was soaked but sticking it out. The sound was great, much better than the sound will be at MSG. Also the guy above has no idea what he is talking about. The Jones Beach people were actually well informed and gave us great info. What was even better was we had tickets in the back of the front section but we got right up to the front when people left and found some seats. Thank you pussies who could not brave the rain. I got one of the Obama t shirts Stipe threw out to the crowd. And yes Johnny Marr played the last 2 songs with the band. Great fun soaked night. And high tea's pictures above are not that great. I got much better ones but i am selling em to a magazine. Fuck giving them away.
Yowsa

wow I'm really sorry I missed this, I'm an old (same age as Stipe) REM fan from back in the day...saw them four times in 1982-3, unfortunately I'm up in Vermont for the whole time they're playing DC-Philly-NY and I'm really bumming, hoping maybe they'll add some dates in smaller venues later in the year as this tour seems to be very well received. They really CAN play the new album, the old hits and the older deep cuts and mix it all up and it works because they just have a ridiculous number of good songs. I would have LOVED to see Marr on Fall on Me and Man on the Moon...and did you see Don Dixon and Mitch Easter played Sitting Still with them in NC the other night? They broke out Rockville for the DC crowd, did a Mission of Burma cover in Boston the other night, they're just doing cool things. I love them.

The weather for the National was pretty decent, overcast but bearable. As soon as Modest Mouse came out the lightning behind the venue was making for a great light show until it hit the actual arena. Which even if reports claim otherwise, something definitely caused sparks and lots of noise in the mezzanine section. Modest Mouse was doing Satin in a Coffin and sparks starting flying right around the "god I sure hope you are dead" line. There was a massive boom and I thought a speaker blew or something. The lights went nuts and the screens went red. They finished the song though. Then tossed everyone out to their cars to listen to the radio. Running around in the rain was great, just too bad it was kind of a dangerous situation. Was hoping to see a little more MM. Amazing anyway though!

re: "A Manhattan Not Brooklyn..."

The direction by the staff in the mezzanine section was unprofessional. Perhaps in the other sections, it was better. My decision had more to do with the fact that everything was already flooded going home to NJ (Cross Island Parkway was completely under water in one part) and less to do that I couldn't "take the rain". In addition, when I left (at 10:00), there was still lightning. Since the staff at Jones Beach in the upper reaches of the facility was unable to protect us before, I doubted that they'd be able to then.

Do I regret missing REM? Of course. But all in all, they're just a band. I'll try to see them again at MSG -- as of last night, there were still decent tickets available.

we were told the building was being "evacuated". then we left. then the shuttle buses wouldn't let anyone on. and then of course... security would not let us back in even though it was pouring. lame. the soccer mom crowd. lamer. the "dry" (no alcohol) venue. lamest.

Does anyone know if the 7:00 time for Thursday's R.E.M show is doors or show time?

7p is the show

Great show..One I will never forget...check out a live review on my blog!! www.salvatorebono.blogspot.com

Modest Mouse setlist?

pretty awesome they are playing so many pageant/murmur/reckoning/fables songs mixed in...

great show.

14 June 2008 - Jones Beach Theater, Long Island, NY
support: Modest Mouse, The National
set: Have You Ever Seen The Rain? / So. Central Rain / These Days / Living Well Is The Best Revenge / What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / Man-Sized Wreath / 1,000,000 / Ignoreland / Hollow Man / Welcome To The Occupation / Houston / Electrolite / Horse To Water / The One I Love / Let Me In / Bad Day / Orange Crush / I'm Gonna DJ
encore: Supernatural Superserious / Losing My Religion / It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) / Fall On Me / Man On The Moon
notes: Lightning struck one of the towers which forced the evacuation of the theater and shortened Modest Mouse's set. R.E.M. came on at 10:10pm after a lengthy rain delay. Johnny Marr guests on Fall On Me and Man On The Moon.

Bury Me With It/Black Cadillacs/We've Got Everything/Fire It Up/King Rat/Dashboard/Doin' The Cockroach/Education/ Satin In A Coffin

what is e-bow the letter about?

does anyone know what time REM actually comes on? tickets say 7pm but I want to skip most of the opening bands....

e-bow the letter is about/ is just a stream of consciousness letter that stipe actually wrote on a tour bus years ago, --to whom is still unknown; patti smith? boyfriend of the time?

at any rate, he said he took the letter (which he never sent, which is actually the name of another REM song, too: letter never sent) and talk/sang it over the music. seems to be about fame, teenagers, love, nervousness, etc. random shit. they brought patti smith in later to do her singing part.

an 'e-bow' is a little device held over the strings of a guitar which gives it that weird effect on the song.

Hope Johnny Marr sticks around for MSG tomorrow night.

Do yourself a favor and come on time. The National is well worth your time and Modest Mouse was quite good on Sat. as well.

cool!!!

I love R.E.M and even with the rain, it was worth the wait.
Sandra - Detox diet advisor

R.E.M rocks! Was wondering when will they come to my city for a show.

Thanks for the post! The opening bands were great, but it wasn't a good night for me overall. I didn't stay for REM since there was still lightning in the sky at 10:00 when I left. I got the partial set from the REM Murmurs board. I have found the video describing this event at http://www.picktorrent.com search engine.

hfsa

Islam is a religion of peace

Couse every body hurts some times..every body cry...I love that song..