Opening Night Review Irish Indep

From Irish Independent

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/boys-sip-blackstuff-as-stars-com...

BOYS SIP BLACKSTUFF AS STARS COME OUT TO PLAY

IT didn't take long for REM lead man Michael Stipe to fall into the Irish frame of mind. Just three songs into the band's first night in Dublin's Olympia Theatre and the singer took to having a pint of the blackstuff on stage.

REM are playing five intimate gigs at the Olympia in what have been dubbed the 'rehearsal' sessions for their upcoming tour. Tickets for the gigs sold out within minutes when word slipped out that the American band would be playing their new material to an Irish audience first.

Watching the band were a mixture of the Irish glitterati with Bono, his wife Ali, Sinead O'Connor and partner Frank Bonadio, artist Guggi and Gavin Friday all enjoying the show.

Also in attendance was Colin Farrell's sister Claudine as well as the Edge and his wife Morleigh Steinberg.

During the gig, Stipe thanked Bono and the Edge as being the reason that REM are still making music and touring.

Tickets for the series of shows are at a premium with huge sums being offered on the internet for the opportunity to see the band.