Fall on Me,” an incredible track from R.E.M.'s classic 1986 album Life’s Rich Pageant, finds them somewhere in the middle of their development. The song combines a bit more accessibility within the musical approach with some of the trademark impenetrable intrigue of Michael Stipe’s lyrics.

R.E.M. just keep reuniting. Thursday night, Feb. 27, the band that has repeatedly insisted they'll never do a full-fledged reunion, took the stage at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia to perform with Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy's R.E.M. cover band.

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.”

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

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.

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

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.

Formed in a college dorm in Maryland, and forged over a love for funky psychedelic jams, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong have collected a loyal following through the years, and the band will nestle into the Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, for shows at 8 p.m. Friday (Squeaky Feet opener) and Saturday (Sqwerv opener); $42; z2ent.com.

“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.

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

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.

Indie rock vet Jason Narducy and Oscar-nominated actor Michael Shannon celebrate the underrated R.E.M. album “Fables of the Reconstruction.”