Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy And Friends are thrilled to announce a 2026 U.S. tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of R.E.M.’s iconic album, Lifes Rich Pageant. After the pair’s rapturously received run earlier this year honoring the band’s famed 1985 album Fables of the Reconstruction, which saw the four original members of R.E.M. join Shannon & Narducy on-stage at their two shows in Athens, GA, the extensive Lifes Rich Pageant tour will take Shannon & Narducy to Maquoketa, Iowa.

Shannon, an award winning and acclaimed actor/director/musician, and Narducy (Bob Mould Band, Superchunk, Sunny Day Real Estate, Verböten, Split Single) have been collaborating for the last twelve years, playing entire albums by some of their favorite artists such as Neil Young, The Modern Lovers, Bob Dylan, The Smiths, and T. Rex at various Chicago clubs. After a successful show in July 2023 at Chicago’s Metro honoring the 40th anniversary of R.E.M.’s Murmur, which included a guest appearance from R.E.M.’s own Mike Mills, what was initially planned as a one-off performance evolved into the pair’s first-ever tour. 

“It dumbfounds and delights me that we continue our crusade through this astounding catalogue of music from one of America’s most influential and unique bands,” Shannon comments. “Now we find ourselves at a summit, LIFES RICH PAGEANT, and we’re all pinching ourselves in disbelief to be so lucky. The most strange and beautiful adventure.”

Narducy adds: “I’m thrilled to join Michael and our band in celebrating the 40th anniversary of R.E.M.’s monumental fourth album. This impeccable collection of songs meant so much to me when I first heard them and they continue to inspire and invigorate me.”

“The performances can be mesmerizing, not only to those of us who consider ourselves longstanding, diehard enthusiasts of R.E.M., but to those who were actually in the original band itself.” — Vanity Fair

“The duo’s approach appeals because they don’t attempt to replicate the quartet’s singular sound note for note, instead getting over on its fandom and [Shannon’s] combo of charisma and humility” — Philadelphia Inquirer