I think that every REM show is better than the previous one. Michael Stipe was absolutely glad to play for Italian fans. They did a 90 minutes show for a tv show that usually lasts 30'!
Before they came out, someone of the crew brought some cup of tea on the stage, that's Mr. Stipe! They played Imitation of life, first, followed by the great beyond and what's the frequency kenneth, this song drives me insane. Michael was wearing a shirt of violent green under a black suit. When the crowd claimed one by one michael, peter and mike, Stipe told something to Mills that sounded like "there's a rat in the house" . After 7 or 8 songs they stopped for a while "cause they have to change the tape in the camera so see you later and… take your clothes off!" as said by michael.
They started again with The one I love followed by smash hits like walk unafraid, losing my religion ("I need your help for the next song") where everyone sang along with michael, man on the moon. When they came out again for the encore, michael said "we're gonna play again all the way to reno that we played earlier, cause of technical difficulties, hope you're ok with that". Everyone was agree, of course, but after some lines michael looked towards scott and started to laugh. He wasn't able to stop! I have no idea of what Scott told him but they had to stop playing. He was trying to approach the microphone with a serious face but he couldn't hold his laughing. He told us again that they had to play that song for technical difficulties; he was trying to convince himself more than us probably . Finally he made it, but he was still smiling when he began to sing. By the way, I think the first time sounded much better than this one. Then came South central rain and End of the world with Michael screaming "what?" and the crowd "fine!" "what?" "fine!"
This was really a great show, the setlist was less wealthy than the promotional tour of two years ago perhaps, but their passion is still there and the new songs are wonderful.
micky