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Tulum's Collection

R.E.M.   04/24/1981

B&L Warehouse, Athens, GA
Source soundboard M1
Media FLAC   14 discs
Notes ACCCORDING TO RELIABLE SOURCES:

T. Patton Biddle (aka Pat the Wiz) of Athens, GA, is the source for this recording. He was the sound tech for many of R.E.M.'s shows in and around Athens in the early 1980s. This comes from a first-generation analog copy of the master reel, recorded by Pat as he ran sound for R.E.M.'s opening set. Although a decent-sounding audience capture has been in circulation for some time, this is the first time Pat's soundboard recording has entered general circulation. A very good quality audience recording of XTC's performance also circulates.

REMTimeline says this is the band's complete opening set. That said, Pat didn't hit record until a minute into set opener Radio Free Europe, and his tape apparently ran out about a minute into Gardening at Night, the set's final song.

This show might represent the live debut of "That Beat." At the very least it's the song's first known live outing in 1981, and sounds well rehearsed. Michael calls it a new song in his brief intro.

When I received the source files from Pat, they only needed tracking and fading. No eq, no compression, no jiggery pokery.

HUGE THANKS to Pat the Wiz, a true Southern Gentleman. Check out his site here, and don't forget to sign his guest book.


Rob-in-Brevard (Robinbrevard @ Dime)
Dec. 2025

*STAY TUNED* There's more where this came from.
Tech Notes LINEAGE: soundboard analog master -> analog safety cassette -> analog recording digitized by T. Patton Biddle using unknown equipment -> track splitting & fades in Audacity-> FLAC
Trades Allowed Yes
Owned by Tulum · Last Updated Feb 25, 2026