Let the shows begin

R.E.M. kicks off its tour tonight in Los Angeles, right on the heels of a very successful "Vote for Change" series of dates. It culminated Monday night in Washington, D.C., with a fantastic five-and-a-half concert featuring the boys, Pearl Jam, James Taylor, the Dixie Chicks, Dave Matthews and, of course, Bruce Springsteen. R.E.M.'s set was a relatively short 30 minutes, playing "The One I Love," "Begin the Begin" (with Eddie Vedder), "Leaving New York," "Losing My Religion" and "Man on the Moon" (with Bruce, above [AP]). Michael, Mike and Peter were all back on stage for the encore, which was very powerful, culminating with Patti Smith's "People Have the Power."