Sloan’s frontman and bassist, Chris Murphy, expressed his excitement about an upcoming tour across the United Kingdom and Ireland as part of an R.E.M. tribute band led by acclaimed actor Michael Shannon. Murphy, who is eager to visit Ireland for the first time professionally, will be stepping away from his usual Canadiana repertoire with Sloan to tackle a two-hour set of meticulously recreated music by the American rock legends. Despite feeling a bit nervous about the challenge, Murphy anticipates a fun experience. Unlike his previous tours focusing on Canadian classics, this gig demands a different level of preparation, with just one rehearsal scheduled before hitting the road.
The tribute shows, titled Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy And Friends, will feature Murphy stepping in for the regular bassist, John Stirratt, who is touring with Wilco. Murphy’s friendship with Narducy and the group’s drummer, Jon Wurster, led to his involvement in the project. He admires their indie rock background and looks forward to collaborating with them on stage. The tour will showcase R.E.M.’s 1986 album, Lifes Rich Pageant, along with other hits from the band’s discography.
Shannon, known for his Oscar-nominated acting roles in films like Revolutionary Road and Nocturnal Animals, has been teaming up with Narducy for over a decade, performing tribute concerts honoring various artists. Following a successful show in 2023 celebrating R.E.M.’s Murmur album, the duo decided to embark on their first tour together. The involvement of R.E.M. members during a performance last year further validated the tribute act in Murphy’s eyes, highlighting R.E.M.’s egalitarian business model that influenced Sloan’s approach to band dynamics. Murphy humorously noted the irony of him playing R.E.M. songs while his Sloan bandmate is a devoted R.E.M. fan, joking about their musical cover band roles crossing paths in different countries.
The upcoming tour promises a unique blend of musical talent and a nostalgic journey through R.E.M.’s iconic discography, resonating with fans eager to relive the band’s classic hits on stage.