Stipe @ The Renfrew Ferry, Glasgow, Feb 27th 2004				Review by Bob Millar
	Having seen REM last year at Madison Square Garden in New York any band in the world would do well to come close to that experience let alone an REM tribute band on a cold Friday night in Glasgow! I am happy to report however that Stipe did a more than admirable job of conjuring up the magical memories of that October night in NYC! It was always going to be tough going on after a local U2 tribute band but Stipe looked every bit the consummate professional band as they took to the stage. As the various members took their positions it was obvious they took this extremely seriously. From the Mike Mills look-alike on bass to the guitarist's nod to Peter Buck’s Rickenbacker to the lead singer's uncanny resemblance to Michael Stipe himself, resplendent in cowboy hat and purple eye make-up. The band opened the set with “Finest Worksong” and straight away I was in heaven as this was the song that REM opened the Madison Square Garden gig with. As the smile spread across my face it was obvious we were in for a night of quality entertainment. Here was a band that not only looked the part but truly sounded the part as well. For the next hour or so they entertained us with a plethora of songs from the REM back catalogue, even managing to slip in the last single “Bad Day”. In between the songs the singer kept in character with lots of Stipe-isms! As he said, REM fans are quite snobby and most wouldn’t bother coming to see an REM tribute band…….more fool them!!! Despite a few technical hitches from the guitarist (and to be honest no one in the audience noticed) the night was a big success. My advice to you – If you hear Stipe are playing a gig near you then drop everything and go and see them. Trust me you will not be disappointed. I’ll be the 1st in line next time they’re back in Glasgow! Bob Millar   email