My station KFOG San Francisco had our 8th annual "Summer Picnic" Saturday night at the Shoreline in Mt. View. This is a summer concert like lots of radio stations do around the country except instead of 10 or more bands doing 20 minute sets we find a tour coming to town and hold our event at that show. Last year it was Chris Isaak, before that it was Eric Clapton.



A major part of the event is interaction with listeners. I like that the best. A cross section of KFOG listeners are like a flashback to Live 105 listeners from the 80's to mid 90's. They are straight and gay, young and old, (ok not as many young...) varying ethnic backgrounds, button down preppy business men and party animals. It is an open friendly nice mixed group of people. It is great. People came up and talked to me about motorcycles, Marilyn Manson, Hole, Michael Moore, Cal football, boats, music, music, and music.



It was a beautiful night at Shoreline. No fog, clear skies.



Wilco opened for REM. I REALLY like Wilco. Their style varies from songs that sound like The Eagles, to noisy loud tunes as well. They are hard to describe as just one style, but they definitely have a sound. Wilco are good.



REM are on a self described "greatest hits" tour playing lots of songs from the past. This does not mean it is all the radio hits, and if you are/were an REM fan you'll really like the show. I was a bit skeptical about how good they would be as the last impression I had of them live was this kind of quiet band, introverted, on stage not having fun, playing slow quiet, dare I say boring?, songs.



Saturday night was the return of the fun in REM. The band that was once the coolest underground band, then the top 40 superstars of alternative radio, may have found their place again. It did seem to me many in the crowd were kind of checking it out to see how good REM would be.



They really had fun on stage, played loud and quiet songs, some radio hits, but also lots that were not. Songs like "Daysleeper" were nice to hear as were "Fall On Me." They had a lot of energy and put on a great show with a great setlist. When they play these songs you realize how many songs they have and now that they seem to have fun it makes it fun for the crowd.



If their tour comes to a town near you and you were ever a fan, even if you dropped out as a fan when they got really popular, you should check them out. You might be a fan again.



REM Tour Page



There is a new collection from them out soon with a few new songs. I think we'll start playing a new one this week. In 2004 there is an all new cd due from the band.



REM in 2003: Big Rick says "check it out"