BY: SEAN F

Next up is the Papercranes. “So the drama,” as my 8-year old daughter would say. Kind of a Mazzy Star meets Siouxsie and the Banshees deal, the lead singer’s raven hair flying and guitars jangling, the drummer working the high hat. Just about that time some dude behind me poses the question, “When do you think the last time R.E.M. played a restaurant was?” 

“Phoenix. The Mason Jar. 1983. It was a bar really, but I think you could get a burger there.”

I don’t say this out loud, I just think it. I already bore people at work with my “I saw so and so when they were only ten years old and playing small clubs” stories all the time, no need to inflict them on complete strangers. I do start thinking about what special event I’m about to witness.

Dead Confederate come out and play. Ian tells me they were pretty good, but I hardly remember. I’m too busy wallowing in nostalgia, thinking about the times I saw R.E.M. in the '80s, when music mattered to me in a way that only my children matter to me now; when I felt a true passion for this band. I think about the crystal clear memory of driving home on the evening of my high school graduation after dropping off my girlfriend – now my wife -  and listening to "Seven Chinese Brothers." Marking the release date and rushing to the record - that’s right, record – store to pick up Life’s Rich Pagent. Fly home, stand in front of the stereo, put on the earphones, the snare shot of "Begin the Begin"...

I've been hearing about how great the new record is for a week. I hope so. Frankly, I haven't paid much attention this past decade, and I really want this show to live up to my suddenly renewed emotional investment in these guys.

The guys stroll out and, pop, the nostalgia bubble bursts. "Look how old Peter is," I can't help but think. And that takes me back to how old I am, which takes me to -

Bang! Snare shot. They kick into a new one that I believe will have to be the lead track on the new record. I'm calling it "Begin the Begin Again" until I learn different. Hell, even after I learn different. [Ed note: It's actually called "Living Well is the Best Revenge."]

They play a full 90-minute set, mostly new stuff. It sounds pretty good to me, but what do I know? When they pull out "Second Guessing" three songs in, it fits right in with the new stuff. After the fairly lame excuse for rock and roll represented by Reveal and Around the Sun, I'll take it. Indeed, the only real dissonance is that no one else in the audience seems to recognize anything released before Automatic for the People. They sing along passionately with "Electrolite," but seem baffled by "Auctioneer."

"Is that one of the new ones?"

If it's new to you, then why not? Right now, thinking R.E.M. is pretty good feels new to me.

NPR is streaming the entire night - R.E.M., Dead Confederate, Papercranes, Johnathan Rice, Summerbirds in the Cellar - on their website.

R.E.M. performing "Drive" at Stubb's, March 12, via Ear Farm.

Walking out of the show I feel wise rather than old, engaged rather than bored. This is a cool feeling. I remember this. Tomorrow, though, I will have to get off the SXSW nostalgia tour. I've already located Thurston and J on the schedule, X and the Meatmen. It would be so easy to spend the next three days chasing down my youth, but the thought is too pathetic to contemplate. I've got my guru with me, and tomorrow I'm going to find something new to love.