As remembered by our friend and Warner Music (at the time) main man Klaus Hoffmann, a memorable night in a special part of the ancient city:
Klaus: “On this day in 2003 R.E.M. played in front of Schönbrunn Castle. A hectic show that saw the resurrection of ‘Permanent Vacation’ which I had pestered Peter with since the start of the tour in Utrecht where I saw that the song had been rehearsed. It was even dedicated to yours truly. What an evening!!”
To which Bertis chimes in with some of the context of the concert that easily could have not happened:
“I remember it well, the trucks arriving so late from Locarno that the promoter had to urgently ask the city authorities to keep the trams running- they said Yes so the show could go on! A dramatic evening of music and logistics for sure”
The set once the show started real late:
Begin The Begin / So Fast, So Numb / These Days / Drive / Animal / Daysleeper / Maps And Legends / Bad Day / The One I Love / Country Feedback / Losing My Religion / Electrolite / The Great Beyond / She Just Wants To Be / Walk Unafraid / Man On The Moon
encore: Everybody Hurts / Imitation Of Life / Permanent Vacation / It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
notes: the first known performance of ‘Permanent Vacation’ since 23 January 1982! (as R.E.M. – it was played as the Hindu Love Gods without Michael on 14 February 1984 with Bryan Cook)
Setlist from The R.E.M. Timeline and our friend Chris Hartsonge