REM: new european summer tour dates

NEW YORK (R.E.M. Official Website) - R.E.M. has announced European tour dates for the summer of 2003, with a North American tour planned for next autumn.

The tour will be the band's first full-on road trip in four years, with an appearance at major European and U.K. festivals, including Britain's massive Glastonbury event.

Posting on the group's official website (remhq.com), singer Michael Stipe said,"We have been locked up in the studio and are anxious to see the outside again. So we will spend some of the next year on tour with other people who love music."

Guitarist Peter Buck added, "My kids have been asking me for the past couple of years, 'When do we get to go back on the tour bus?' So I am really excited about next summer and fall, especially that we will finally get to play Warsaw and return to Glastonbury."

Bassist Mike Mills commented, "I have missed being on the road and can't wait to hit it again."

The band plans to post North American tour dates sometime after the first of the new year. Also confirmed is a "best-of" compliation slated for next autumn, according to the band.

The following are R.E.M. tour dates booked so far for 2003:
June 27 - Glastonbury, England - Glastonbury Festival
June 29 - Werchter, Belgium - Werchter Festival
July 1 - Hamburg, Germany - Volkspark
July 4 - Odense, Denmark - Midtfyn Festival
July 4 - Berlin, Germany - Waldbuhne
July 5 - Munich, Germany - Konigsplatz
July 7 - Locarno, Switzerland - Piazza Grande Locarno
July 8 - Vienna, Austria - TBA
July 10 - Warsaw, Poland - Gwardia Stadium
July 12 - Gaslgow, Scotland - T In The Park
July 13 - Manchester, England - Move Festival
July 16 - Dublin, Ireland - Marlay Park
July 19 - Wisebaden, Germany - Bowling Green
July 20 - Carhaix, France - Vieilees Charrues Festival
July 22 - Padova, Italy - Stadio Euganeo
July 23 - Acona, Italy - Stadio Del Conero
July 24 - Naples, Italy - Neapolis Festival
July 26 - Vienne, France - Cotes Du Rock, Theatre Antique Vienne