The World Tour kicked off!
Sources: R.E.M.hq, Murmurs.com

R.E.M began their European leg of this year's World Tour in support of Around the Sun last night in Lisbon, Portugal, with opening act Joseph Arthur. Last night's show was the first of 37 scheduled for January and February. The European portion of the tour culminates with two nights in Dublin, Ireland, at The Point before the band takes a sharp turn and heads off to South Africa, Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Australia in March and April.

Last night R.E.M. played 24 songs with "Departure" (which made its tour debut) as an opening track. During encore the band has been joined onstage by Joseph Arthur who played guitar on Permanent Vacation and I'm Gonna DJ.

Taking the opportunity, we'd like to remind you that there's a special section on R.E.M. is ON! featuring tour dates, setlists, statistics and photos from the road. You can also post your own reviews of the shows there.

The Lisbon setlist follows:

Departure
Begin The Begin
The Wake-Up Bomb
Animal
Boy In The Well
Drive
Electron Blue
The Great Beyond
High Speed Train
Everybody Hurts
Leaving New York
I Wanted To Be Wrong
Imitation Of Life
Final Straw
The One I Love
Walk Unafraid
Losing My Religion
Life And How To Live It

What's The Frequency, Kenneth?
Finest Worksong
Aftermath
Permanent Vacation
I'm Gonna DJ
Man On The Moon