Stipe @ The Limelight Club Crewe, Jan 1st 2004				Review by Martin & Julie
	What a start to 2004, a New Year's Day concert at the Limelight Club in Crewe celebrating Stipe's 1st anniversary. A packed intimate venue with high expectations to hear the music of the world's greatest band - R.E.M., take it from me they were not disappointed. Rick alias Michael Stipe on vocals (and harmonica), Paul alias Peter Buck on lead guitar, Tony alias Mike Mills on bass guitar, Nick alias Bill Berry on drums and percussion and Pete alias Ken Stringfellow on keyboard and accoustic guitar (a great bunch of lads with a clear objective) all combining to deliver a performance and an incredible sound, close as you will ever get to the original. A set list of timeless songs old and new from Lifes Rich Pageant, Document, Green, Out Of Time, Automatic For The People, Monster, Up, Reveal and the latest greatest hits album In Time, in fact we were priveleged to hear a song due for release on the 5th January called 'Animal' (the songs played tonight are only a few in their vast repertoire, they cover songs from all the R.E.M. albums). Opening with Begin the Begin (apt what a start) it was not long (about the second line) before the audience were singing and dancing along. Followed by these classic songs :- Crush with Eyeliner, The One I Love, Animal, She Just Wants To Be, Bad Day (what a fab day I say) complete with Bb harmonica (these guys think of everything, wonder where that came from ?), At My Most Beautiful, Find the River, Everybody Hurts, Get Up (the dance floor was packed), Losing My Religion, Orange Crush (with megaphone), Imitation of life, Shiny Happy People complete with a young woman from the audience who volunteered to sing the chorus (well done, face looks familiar, nice voice, singing must be in the blood), and finishing with Man on The Moon. It goes without saying we all wanted more, the band didn't get a chance for a breather (or a piece of birthday cake) back on with Nightswimming, The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite and finishing with Its The End Of The World As We Know It (and yes we all felt more than fine). The band gave all, what a climax - fans were in raptures they still wanted more but time had beaten us, what a fantastic night. Any hangover from New Year's Eve tossed aside, a brilliant set of songs from the vast repertoire of R.E.M. songs in my opinion all classics (but I am biased). One song that deserves a special mention is a beautiful ballad from Reveal called 'She Just Wants To Be'. I have heard this song live (and all the rest) performed by R.E.M. many times but I would like to praise the band on how well it was tonight, with Paul's intro crystal clear, Rick's vocals crisp on the note and with the combination of drums, bass and keyboard from Nick ,Tony and Pete all together produced the ultimate performance, not an easy song but mastered confidently and what seemed to be with ease, thus indicating to us the dedication perfecting the songs and the quality of musicianship within the band, WELL DONE ! Stipe's outstanding performance of R.E.M. music is second to none, not to be missed, as the saying goes 'if you love R.E.M. then Stipe is never going to let you forget it'. If you were there, what a night. If not you missed a treat, but all is not lost, go to their gigs, you're guaranteed to enjoy ! MARTIN and JULIE West Yorkshire Fans