While "Pretty Persuasion" was the only song Stipe took the stage for, and which all four members of R.E.M. helped perform, Mills, Buck, and Berry were all kept busy at other point

The totally unexpected moment came during a show by actor Michael Shannon as part of his latest tour with Verbow singer/guitarist Jason Narducy performing full R.E.M. albums, in t

This legendary alternative rock band has only had two public performances since it officially retired in 2011.

Maybe this shouldn’t feel so miraculous, but it sure seems like the four members of R.E.M. like getting back together, hanging out with each other, and even playing music in public if it feels right.

R.E.M. joined actor Michael Shannon and indie rocker Jason Narducy, who were the main acts of the night. The group is currently on a tour paying tribute to R.E.M.‘s 1985 album “Fables of the Reconstruction.”

Michael Shannon has been a big R.E.M. fan for a long time. The actor has been taking that to the next level lately, as he and veteran musician Jason Narducy are in the midst of an R.E.M. tribute tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of the album Fables Of The Reconstruction.

“This is not a tribute band,” insists indie rocker Jason Narducy, referring to the group he and actor Michael Shannon have put together. That might seem like a curious thing to say, considering the band in question — in which Narducy plays guitar and Shannon is the singer — only performs songs by R.E.M.

During the brief but electrifying set, R.E.M. performed their 1984 classic Pretty Persuasion. Stipe handled lead vocals, Berry played tambourine, Mills contributed backing vocals, and Buck delivered his signature guitar riffs.

Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry stunned the audience at Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy's 'Fables of the Reconstruction' tribute.

Guests at Athens’ 40 Watt Club were in for quite the treat Thursday night.

Tibet House Concert at Carnegie Hall wrapped with Michael Stipe, Jackson Browne, and others singing Patti Smith's 'People Have the Power.'

Near the end of the gig in R.E.M.’s hometown, Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, and Bill Berry joined Shannon and Narducy for a performance of the Reckoning track “Pretty Persuasion.” Mike Mills ...