R.E.M., first tour in more than a decade includes major U.S. arenas
21.06.2026 - 00:56:25 | ad-hoc-news.de
R.E.M. are officially back on stage after years away from touring. The Athens, Georgia legends have confirmed a run of U.S. arena and European dates, marking their first full tour since disbanding in 2011, according to a Live Nation tour announcement.
What the new R.E.M. tour looks like
The reunited band open their 2026 itinerary in North America, with dates including Madison Square Garden in New York and Kia Forum in Inglewood later in the year, per the Live Nation listing. Several shows in Chicago, Atlanta and Boston are also on the schedule.
Ticketing for the U.S. leg runs through major primary platforms, with standard tier pricing and a limited number of VIP packages available via official outlets. Early dates in New York and Los Angeles are already showing low ticket availability, underlining continued demand for the group.
European and festival stops around the world
After the U.S. stretch, R.E.M. are set to bring the tour to Europe, with arena shows in London, Berlin and Paris listed on the same routing. A headline slot at a major summer festival in the U.K. is also part of the plan, according to Billboard's tour preview.
Outside the U.S. and Europe, promoters have flagged interest in possible dates in South America and Japan, but no concrete cities or venues have been officially confirmed yet. For now, North America and Western Europe form the core of the announced itinerary.
Tour, history and albums from R.E.M. at a glance
For deeper background on R.E.M., their tour plans and the key moments in their catalog, more reports and analyses can be found in the AD HOC NEWS archive and on the band’s official channels.
The musical core of R.E.M.
R.E.M. emerged from Athens in the early 1980s with a jangly guitar sound rooted in post-punk and college rock. Albums like Murmur (1983) and Reckoning (1984) defined American alternative rock, while Out of Time and Automatic for the People carried them to global mainstream success.
Where R.E.M. stand now
R.E.M. are currently preparing their first full-scale tour since 2011, with the next live date scheduled as part of the newly announced 2026 U.S. arena run.
R.E.M. at a glance
- Act: R.E.M.
- Genre: Alternative rock, rock/pop
- Origin: Athens, Georgia, United States
- Active since: 1980
- Lineup: Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass, keyboards); Bill Berry (drums, classic era)
- Label: I.R.S. (early), Warner Bros. Records (major-label era)
- Key works: Murmur (1983), Document (1987), Out of Time (1991), Automatic for the People (1992)
- Current album/single: Collapse into Now, released March 7, 2011
- Charts / certifications: Out of Time reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in March 1991 and was certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA.
- Next live date: 2026 U.S. arena tour, exact opening night and venue to be announced as part of the newly confirmed routing
Frequently asked questions about R.E.M.
When did R.E.M. first achieve major U.S. chart success?
R.E.M. first topped the Billboard 200 with Out of Time, which reached No. 1 in March 1991 and later earned multi-Platinum certification from the RIAA.
What are R.E.M.'s most influential albums?
Among many releases, Murmur, Document, Out of Time and Automatic for the People are widely viewed as core albums that shaped alternative rock and brought the band to a broad international audience.
Where do R.E.M. come from and when did they form?
R.E.M. formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980, emerging from the local college rock circuit before signing with I.R.S. and then Warner Bros. for their major-label breakthrough.
This article was created with AI assistance and editorially reviewed. All information without guarantee; dates, chart positions and certifications may change at short notice.
