It’s been almost thirty years since R.E.M. made their debut at a party in an old abandoned church in Athens. Thirty years of rule-bending, tour-grinding, record-smashing, heart-breaking, death-defying, breath-taking music that has been the soundtrack to our lives. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, and it’s far from over still! So in celebration of the four guys and all the motley crew that have helped along the way, Athens is throwing a party!
A perfect circle of acquaintances and friends are showing up to play some of the R.E.M. songs that mean the most to them. You’ve got locals Casper & the Cookies and Supercluster. Then we’ve got longtime band friend, engineer, and occasional extra instrumentalist John Keane ready to rock. VieTNam, the rocky punk type group from the ATL will pay tribute to the boys as will ultra-funky Athens band The HEAP. And what would an R.E.M. tribute be without the guy who helped create and record the band’s earliest sounds, Mitch Easter! Topping it all off will be B-52 Cindy Wilson, Dana Downs and the Debauchelors.
All of this is going down on Friday, April 2nd, 2010 at the Melting Point. It’s $10 now and $15 at the door.Tickets are available now right here. Doors are at 6 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m. Any out of towners needing a room can get a special rate with the code REM30. There may be other events going on that weekend in conjunction with the anniversary so I’ll keep you posted on that. As per usual, the members of R.E.M. are not expected to be in attendance. Proceeds from the event will go towards charity. Presented by our lovely friend Cathy Edmonds.
I’m beyond excited about this whole thing. All I can think is: “Birthday party, cheesecake, jelly bean, BOOM!” Maybe I’ll see ya there.
athensmusicjunkie.com 
Love that pic with the cake and invitation.
does the hotel code work at any hotel in Athens, or a particular one?
It's my understanding that the code only applies to the Foundry Inn, Marcus.
I'd like to go, but I live in Spain…