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 ongoing 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.)
All dates are listed below. Tickets are on-sale this Friday, 9/29 at 10am local time and available here.
Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy And Friends Play R.E.M.’s Murmur:
Sun. Feb. 4 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Thu. Feb. 8 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club
Fri. Feb. 9 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
Sat. Feb. 10 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
Mon. Feb. 12 – Ardmore, PA @ Ardmore Music Hall
Tue. Feb. 13 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
Wed. Feb. 14 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
