Pitchfork

America's favorite vegans/political activists/"Simpsons" guest stars and occasionally... um... rock band, R.E.M., will be heading out on a furious two-month theater tour beginning in October, according to the band's official website. The North American trip should be a welcome change of pace following R.E.M.'s stint on board the politically charged Vote for Change tour, where they'll share the stage (and a righteous sense of indignation) with Bruce Springsteen and Bright Eyes from October 1st through October 8th.

The tour will conveniently coincide with the release of R.E.M.'s forthcoming album, the just-titled Around the Sun, which will mark the group's first studio effort since 2001's effects-crazy Reveal, and is slated for an October 5th release. Stipe and friends have already confirmed that the first single off the LP will be "Leaving New York"-- no reaction as of yet from MSG brass. You may have already caught them from last week, but just in case, here are the Vote for Change dates featuring R.E.M.:

10-01 Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center
10-02 Cleveland, OH - Gund Arena
10-03 Ann Arbor, MI - Crisler Arena
10-05 St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
10-08 Orlando, FL - TD Waterhouse

And the headlining North American tour:

10-13 Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
10-14 Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl
10-15 San Francisco, CA - Greek Amphitheatre
10-16 Irvine, CA - Verizon Amphitheatre
10-19 Saint Louis, MO - Fox Theatre
10-20 Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theatre
10-22 Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
10-23 Atlanta, GA - Gwinnett Arena
10-25 Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre
10-26 Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre
10-27 Akron, OH - Thomas Performing Arts Hall
10-29 Boston - Fleet Center
10-30 Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata
11-01 Washington DC - DAR Constitution Hall
11-04 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
11-05 Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
11-07 Pittsburgh, PA - Palumbo Center
11-09 Toronto, Ontario - Hummingbird Center
11-10 Toronto, Ontario - Hummingbird Center
11-11 Ottawa, Quebec - Ottawa Civic Centre
11-12 Montreal, Quebec - Bell Centre
11-14 Thunder Bay, Ontario - Fort Williams Gardens
11-15 Winnipeg, Manitoba - Centennial Concert Hall
11-17 Calgary, Alberta - Saddledome
11-19 Seattle, WA - McCaw Hall
11-20 Seattle, WA - McCaw Hall
11-21 Vancouver, British Columbia
11-26 Salt Lake City, UT - E Center
11-27 Denver, CO - Fillmore