Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends play R.E.M’s Document
Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends play R.E.M’s Document
The Bellwether333 S Boylston St, Los Angeles 90017
Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy bring their R.E.M. album project to The Bellwether with a full performance of Document, alongside other R.E.M. songs. Shannon handles vocals and Narducy guitar, joined by Jon Wurster on drums, John Stirratt on bass, Dag Juhlin on guitar and Vijay Tellis-Nayak on keyboards.
The project began with a 2023 Chicago performance of Murmur and has since taken on Fables of the Reconstruction and Lifes Rich Pageant, as well as full-album sets devoted to Neil Young, the Modern Lovers, Bob Dylan and the Smiths. R.E.M.'s Mike Mills, Peter Buck and Michael Stipe have all joined the group at past shows. Magnet called the band “excellent” and praised Shannon for singing with “the fervor of a fan.”
The Bellwether’s defining feature is a broad, 270-degree balcony that wraps around its main room, giving concertgoers a choice of floor or elevated viewing with a view toward the stage. The room has a wooden dance floor, a long bar along the back wall and a custom sound system; shows are general admission, with both the main floor and balcony included in a regular ticket. It is a ticketed live-music venue, and the lineup and door times vary by show. Before doors, you can get sourdough pizza, snacks or a drink at The Virginian, the in-house restaurant and lounge, which opens an hour before doors. The venue is just west of downtown Los Angeles, in Westlake, near the 110 freeway.