That dreaded flu bug...
I was really looking forward to the R.E.M. gig at the Birmingham NEC tomorrow until I read this here:
"US rock band REM have been forced to cancel concerts after bass player Mike Mills was taken to hospital suffering from "severe flu-like symptoms". The band were forced to cut short Monday night's show in Sheffield, and have cancelled Tuesday's Glasgow date. Mills could "hardly stand up, let alone play", said an REM spokesman, who added that he is now "resting" in hospital." The band's spokesman said that they would review their remaining dates on a "day-to-day basis", based on doctors' advice to Mills. "Obviously we all want Mike to get better, and clearly we all want to play the shows. Rest assured we will do so as soon as possible," he said."
Full credit to Stipe and Buck for apologising to the Sheffield crowd, letting them know of the rearranged date (for which all tickets will still be valid) and then giving them a free 20 minute acoustic set of "Losing My Religion", "I've Been High", "Leaving New York" and "The One I Love". Nice one guys.
I'm now thinking about the Birmingham gig though. On the one hand it's going to be great to see R.E.M. live again but maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing if they cancelled. I'd rather see Mike Mills giving his all and enjoying the gig than having to play in front of all his fans while feeling utter shite. I'm more than happy to wait for the gig if he's got the dreaded flu bug.
Get well soon Mike.
"US rock band REM have been forced to cancel concerts after bass player Mike Mills was taken to hospital suffering from "severe flu-like symptoms". The band were forced to cut short Monday night's show in Sheffield, and have cancelled Tuesday's Glasgow date. Mills could "hardly stand up, let alone play", said an REM spokesman, who added that he is now "resting" in hospital." The band's spokesman said that they would review their remaining dates on a "day-to-day basis", based on doctors' advice to Mills. "Obviously we all want Mike to get better, and clearly we all want to play the shows. Rest assured we will do so as soon as possible," he said."
Full credit to Stipe and Buck for apologising to the Sheffield crowd, letting them know of the rearranged date (for which all tickets will still be valid) and then giving them a free 20 minute acoustic set of "Losing My Religion", "I've Been High", "Leaving New York" and "The One I Love". Nice one guys.
I'm now thinking about the Birmingham gig though. On the one hand it's going to be great to see R.E.M. live again but maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing if they cancelled. I'd rather see Mike Mills giving his all and enjoying the gig than having to play in front of all his fans while feeling utter shite. I'm more than happy to wait for the gig if he's got the dreaded flu bug.
Get well soon Mike.