chronic town tribute 40 watt

Watch members of R.E.M. & friends celebrate Chronic Town's 40th anniversary in Athens, GA

R.E.M.‘s debut EP, Chronic Town, turned 40 this year, and to celebrate, there was a special anniversary show in the band’s hometown, Athens, GA, on Wednesday night at legendary local club 40 Watt. As Stereogum noted, guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills played with the house band — drummer Bill Berry was there but didn’t perform — and guests included Chronic Town producer and Let’s Active leader Mitch Easter, John Cameron Mitchell, Fred Armisen, Indigo Girls, Darius Rucker, Patti Smith guitarist Lenny Kaye, The Baseball Project (Steve Wynn & REM sideman Scott McCaughey), Drivin’ N’ Cryin‘s Kevn Kinney, The Pylon Reenactment Society, Elf Power and more.

David Cross hosted the night, and that house band was led by The Black CrowesRich Robinson, plus his bandmate Sven Pipien on bass, and Screaming TreesBarrett Martin on drums.

The night was really more of a tribute R.E.M. than Chronic Town specifically, as songs from their entire catalog were performed, including: John Cameron Mitchell performed “Wolves, Lower,” “Stumble,” and “Low”; Fred Armisen sang “Gardening at Night”; Elf Power performed “Little America,” “Begin the Begin,” and “There She Goes Again”; The Pylon Reinactment Society peformed their song “Crazy” (which R.E.M. covered) along with R.E.M.’s “Crush With Eyeliner” and Mission of Burma’s “Academy Fight Song”; Mitch Easter sang “1,000,000”; Kevn Kinney sang “Fall on Me” and “King of Birds”; Darius Rucker sang “I Believe” and “World Leader Pretend”; Indigo Girls sang “Orange Crush”; Lenny Kaye was on hand for “Superman”; and Mike Mills sang on a cover of Big Star’s “September Gurls.”

Check out fan-shot pics and video from the night below.

A similar show with most of the same performers happens in Atlanta tonight (12/15) which you can stream live via VEEPS.

Pick up the 40th Anniversary picture disc edition of Chronic Town and other R.E.M. vinyl in the BV shop.

Bill Berry’s new group, The Bad Ends, release their debut album in early 2023, as do The No Ones, which includes Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey.

photo via: @marywinzig
photo via: @marywinzig

attachment-REM Chronic Town at 40