After 15 studio albums and three decades together, seminal indie stalwarts R.E.M have announced they are splitting up. A statement on the band’s website released yesterday read:
“To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening.”
With Stipe himself adding:
“A wise man once said – ‘the skill in attending a party is knowing when it’s time to leave.’ We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we’re going to walk away from it. I hope our fans realize this wasn’t an easy decision; but all things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way. We have to thank all the people who helped us be R.E.M. for these 31 years; our deepest gratitude to those who allowed us to do this. It’s been amazing.”
You can read further statements from Peter Buck and Mike Mills here.
- Franz Ferdinand unveil new single, "Night or Day"
- Gracie Abrams joins Taylor Swift to perform "Us" on The Eras Tour
- Ed Sheeran reveals he never gave permission for his voice to be used on Band Aid 40
- Esperanza Spalding, Elucid and more to feature on Shabaka's forthcoming EP, Possession
- Arca remixes Addison Rae's single, "Aquamarine"
- 070 Shake and Courtney Love unveil cover of Tim Buckley’s “Song to the Siren”
- Julien Baker and SOAK share cover of Belle and Sebastian’s "Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying"
Get the Best Fit take on the week in music direct to your inbox every Friday