There are tough decisions in life—some more agonising than others. Tonight’s choice? Enduring another episode of Britain’s Got Talent or heading to Paignton to witness R.E.M. Pretend, a tribute band promising to resurrect the magic of one of the most influential alternative rock bands of all time. Spoiler alert: I made the right call.

Tribute bands can be hit or miss. I’ve seen my fair share of questionable attempts—U2 impersonators with misplaced accents, Jessie J tributes that felt more like karaoke night at a holiday camp. But R.E.M. Pretend? They understood the assignment.

From the moment they took the stage, it was clear that this wasn’t just a group of musicians playing R.E.M. songs—it was a carefully crafted homage to the band’s legacy. Their setlist spanned the entirety of R.E.M.’s career, reaching back to 1983’s Murmur and stretching all the way to 2008’s Accelerate.

Unlike some tribute acts that focus on visual mimicry, R.E.M. Pretend prioritised sound over spectacle. Sure, there was a cowboy hat and a streak of blue face paint, but the real magic lay in their ability to recreate the sonic depth of R.E.M.’s live performances.

The band’s frontman—let’s call him ‘Stipe’—occasionally picked up a guitar to enrich the sound, ensuring that the absence of backing musicians didn’t leave the arrangements feeling hollow. The result? A full-bodied, immersive experience that felt as close to the real thing as one could hope for.

Here are just a few of the highlights from the set that hit the right notes for this reviewer.

"Orange Crush"—complete with a megaphone, just as Stipe himself would have done.
"So Fast, So Numb"—a personal favourite, delivered with raw energy.
"Daysleeper"—achingly beautiful, capturing the melancholic essence of the original.
"Losing My Religion"—mandolin intact, a must-have in any R.E.M. tribute set.
"It’s the End of the World as We Know It"—an extended, electrifying finale that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Midway through the set, the venue filled up, and the dance floor became a chaotic mix of inflatable golf clubs and enthusiastic revelers. The band took it in stride, delivering hit after hit with unwavering precision.

By the time the final notes rang out, it was clear—R.E.M. Pretend had nailed it. If you ever get the chance to see them live, don’t hesitate. With R.E.M. unlikely to reunite for a world tour, this might just be the closest you’ll get to experiencing their magic again.

Setlist

I Took Your Name

So Fast, So Numb

Daysleeper

Animal

Finest Worksong

Wake Up Bomb

Bad Day

Everybody Hurts

Radio Free Europe

Driver 8

What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?

Losing my Religion

Living Well is the Best Revenge

These Days

Bittersweet Me

Drive

Orange Crush

The One I Love

Man on the Moon

Cuyahoga

Shiny Happy People

Crush With Eyeliner

It’s The End of the World...