The one and only hit on the set list was the “Murmur” single “Radio Free Europe,” saved for the encore. All of the band’s MTV-era hits were ignored, including “Losing My Religion” and (thank God) “Shiny Happy People.” Other songs from R.E.M.’s platinum-selling records were offered, though, such as “Find the River” (same album as “Everybody Hurts”) and “Disturbance at the Heron House” (same album as “It’s the End of the World as We Know It”).
A sign of how cultish and insider-y things got Wednesday: Shannon and Co. covered Prince’s “Raspberry Beret” exclusively for Minnesota fans, justifying it as part of the R.E.M. canon because members of the band rerecorded it with late rock legend Warren Zevon on their 1990 collaborative album as the Hindu Love Gods. Shannon knew all the words to that one, too.
Michael Shannon came to First Avenue with a film resume that includes “Knives Out,” “The Shape of Water” and “Groundhog Day.” (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
