SF Sketchfest 2024

Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy are thrilled to announce a February 2024 tour in celebration of R.E.M.'s iconic 1983 debut album, "Murmur". Spanning several stops across the US, including shows in Brooklyn, Boston, Philadelphia, Athens, and more, the tour will see Shannon (vocals) and Narducy (guitar)–along with Jon Wurster (drums), Dag Juhlin (guitar), Nick Macri (bass), and Vijay Tellis-Nayak (piano)–playing "Murmur" in full each night in addition to other early R.E.M. songs.

Shannon, an actor/musician known best for his film/series/stage work that will not be named during the Screen Actors Guild strike, and Narducy (Bob Mould Band, Superchunk, Split Single) have been collaborating for the last ten years, playing entire albums by some of their favorite artists such as Neil Young, The Modern Lovers, Bob Dylan, The Smiths, and T. Rex at various Chicago clubs. In July 2023, they performed "Murmur" at Chicago’s Metro to a full house.

Initially planned as a one-off performance to honor the album’s 40th anniversary, the show’s success inspired Shannon and Narducy to take it on the road, launching the pair’s first-ever tour.

“I have been a fan of R.E.M. since my cousin played me the ‘Document’ cassette out at my Aunt Norma’s trailer,” says Shannon. “I spent days and hours stumbling around my hometown of Lexington, KY listening to ‘Murmur’ on my Walkman, long before the notion of being anything other than completely anonymous was a viable option. Jason and I have done several other albums and shows together but this one means the most to me.”

Narducy, who is quick to note there is no union for indie rock and that he is repeatedly screwed over by streaming platforms and his uncle’s teasing on social media, adds: “I’m looking forward to going on the road with Michael and the band. Michael and I have been doing shows for a long time but this is our first proper tour. The energy in the room at our ‘Murmur’ show at Metro last July was really special. It’s fun celebrating a record that is so beloved.”

(It’s completely possible that even if an indie rock union existed, it could not protect Narducy from his uncle’s “clever” posts.)

40 years after its release, "Murmur" remains one of the most celebrated debut albums of all time. In a retrospective review for Pitchfork, Stephen M. Deusner notes, “No bands were combining these particular influences in this particular way, which made this debut sound not only new but even subversive: a sharp reimagining of rock tropes.” Upon release, Rolling Stone praised "Murmur" as “an intelligent, enigmatic, deeply involving album,” going on to name it the Best Album of 1983 and eventually highlighting it in it's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. ($45 advance, $50 day-of-show, General Admission, All Ages)