RARE STUDIO & LIVE RECORDINGS SPANNING NEARLY 25 YEARS TO BE RELEASED IN SUPER DELUXE 8-CD/1-DVD BOX SET PLUS 2-CD, 2-LP, AND DIGITAL FORMATS

06 September 2018 (Toronto, ON) – R.E.M. grew up with the BBC, and this historic relationship is lovingly celebrated across an incredible collection that beautifully illustrates the career trajectory of one of modern music’s greatest bands. The collection — available as a super-deluxe edition 8-CD/1-DVD box set, as well as 2-CD, 2-LP and digital formats —comprises a treasure trove of rare and unreleased live and studio recordings culled from the BBC and band archives. This is a must-have collection for R.E.M. fans and an authoritative introduction for newcomers. Pre-order R.E.M. at the BBC HERE.
In-studio performances featured in the 8-CD/1-DVD box set include a John Peel Session (1998), Drivetime and Mark and Lard appearances (2003) and a glorious Radio 1 Live Lounge performance (2008). Live broadcasts include a rough-and-tumble show from Nottingham’s Rock City (1984), the stunning 1995 Milton Keynes Monster Tour (their first after a six-year break), a blistering 1999 Glastonbury headline set and an invitation-only 2004 show at London’s St James’s Church.
The DVD kicks off with a sixty-minute intimate retrospective of the band’s legendary performances at the BBC in the Accelerating Backwards film – previously broadcast only in the UK and available commercially for the first time here. Accelerating Backwards also includes revealing interviews with Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe, further testifying to R.E.M.’s long, special relationship with the BBC. The DVD also offers a complete 1998 Later….With Jools Holland episode uniquely dedicated to the band, plus TV appearances on Top of the Pops and more.
The package liner notes add yet more behind-the-scenes insight to this definitive retrospective collection. Assorted BBC personalities reminiscence about what it was like to work with R.E.M both on stage and off. Respected BBC DJ/Presenter Jo Whiley recalls, “Their Glastonbury performance in 1999 was a dazzling moment: the band storming through an all-killer, no-filler setlist. As a headline performance, it was a triumph and, for me, it’s up there as one of the Glastonbury greats.” Of a 2001 Top of the Pops performance, BBC Producer Mark Hagen muses, “Michael once told me that he hears in colors and it was one of those nights when you felt that you could reach out and touch the music as it flowed through the air, a glorious rolling cloud of green. Just like a kudzu vine in a dream.” Acclaimed rock journalist Tom Doyle also provides an overview of the entire period.
In addition to the comprehensive box set, The Best of R.E.M. at the BBC is also available via 2-CD and 2-LP formats. The Best of collection offers a selection of in-studio performance and live broadcast highlights. R.E.M. at the BBC will also be available to stream or download, with the digital album offering mirroring discs 1 to 8 from the box set.
The first instant grat single—a memorable version of “Losing My Religion” recorded in 1991 for BBC 1’s Into The Night session—is available when you pre-order the box set or Best of album. New instant grat singles will be released each week leading up to the album release date.

R.E.M. – R.E.M. at the BBC (8-CD/1-DVD):
Note, the digital album mirrors discs 1 – 8.
Disc 1 (64:17) – Sessions
Into The Night, BBC Radio 1, 13 March 1991
John Peel Session, 25 October 1998
Mark and Lard, BBC Radio 1, 15 October 2003
Drivetime, BBC Radio 2, 15 October 2003
Radio 1 Live Lounge, 26 March 2008
Disc 2 (62:32) – Sessions
BBC Radio 1 Session, 25 October 1998
Disc 3 (58:49) – Live Broadcasts
Rock City, Nottingham, 21 November 1984
Disc 4 (51:59) – Live Broadcasts
Milton Keynes, 30 July 1995
Disc 5 (56:43) – Live Broadcasts
Milton Keynes, 30 July 1995
Disc 6 (43:05) – Live Broadcasts
Pyramid Stage Glastonbury Festival, 25 June 1999
Disc 7 (53:28) – Live Broadcasts
Pyramid Stage Glastonbury Festival, 25 June 1999
Disc 8 (55:24) – Live Broadcasts
St. James’ Church, London Radio 2, 15 September 2004
Disc 9 (DVD) – Television Broadcasts
Accelerating Backwards
Moon River
Pretty Persuasion
Pop Song 89
Orange Crush
Losing My Religion
Half A World Away
Crush With Eyeliner
Man On The Moon
Daysleeper
Imitation Of Life
So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)
All The Way To Reno (You’re Gonna Be A Star)
Leaving New York
Later… with Jools Holland Presents R.E.M.
Intro
Losing My Religion
Lotus
New Test Leper
Daysleeper
Electrolite
At My Most Beautiful
The Apologist
Country Feedback
Parakeet
So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)
Walk Unafraid
Man On The Moon
The Passenger
Bonus Videos
I’ve Been High
Nightswimming
Bad Day

R.E.M. – R.E.M. at the BBC (2-LP):
Disc 1 – Sessions
A1. World Leader Pretend 4:36
A2. Radio Song 4:05
A3. Losing My Religion 4:42
Recorded for Nicky Campbell Session Into The Night on BBC Radio 1
First broadcast on 13 March 1991
A4. Lotus 4:13
A5. At My Most Beautiful 3:16
Recorded for John Peel Session on BBC Radio 1
First broadcast 25 October 1998
B1. Bad Day 4:03
B2. Orange Crush 3:55
Recorded for Mark and Lard on BBC Radio 1
First broadcast on 15 October 2003
B3. Man On The Moon 4:59
B4. Imitation Of Life 3:41
Recorded for Drivetime on BBC Radio 2
First broadcast 15 October 2003
B5. Supernatural Superserious 3:23
Recorded for Radio 1 Live Lounge on BBC Radio 1
First broadcast 26 March 2008
Disc 2 – Broadcasts
C1. Driver 8 3:25
C2. Radio Free Europe 3:49
First broadcast on 21 November 1984 from Rock City, Nottingham
C3. What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? 3:54
C4. Drive 3:51
C5. Half A World Away 4:04
C6. Pop Song 89 3:27
First broadcast on 30 July 1995 from Milton Keynes
D1. Everybody Hurts 6:47
D2. Its the End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) 6:58
First broadcast on 25 June 1999 from Pyramid Stage Glastonbury Festival
D3. Losing My Religion 4:47
D4. Man On The Moon 5:34
First broadcast on 15 September 2004 from St. James’s Church, London

R.E.M. – R.E.M. at the BBC (2-CD):
Disc 1 – Sessions
Recorded for Nicky Campbell Session Into The Night on BBC Radio 1
First broadcast on 13 March 1991
Recorded for John Peel Session on BBC Radio 1
First broadcast on 25 October 1998
Recorded for BBC Radio 1
First broadcast 25 October 1998
Recorded for Later… with Jools Holland on BBC1
First broadcast on 27 October 1998
Recorded for Mark and Lard on BBC Radio 1
First broadcast on 15 October 2003
Recorded for Later… with Jools Holland on BBC1
First broadcast on 14 October 2003
Recorded for Drivetime on BBC Radio 2
First broadcast 15 October 2003
Recorded for Radio 1 Live Lounge on BBC Radio 1
First broadcast 26 March 2008
Disc 2 – Broadcasts
First broadcast on 21 November 1984 from Rock City, Nottingham
First broadcast on 30 July 1995 from Milton Keynes
First broadcast on 25 June 1999 from Pyramid Stage Glastonbury Festival
First broadcast on 15 September 2004 from St. James’s Church, London
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