Prāta Vētra warms up R.E.M. concerts

Latvian pop band Prāta Vētra (Brainstorm) is getting a chance to play its music to fans of the American band R.E.M. as it warms up concertgoers in 10 countries beginning with a sold-out performance in Bolzano, Italy. R.E.M.’s current tour features a number of warm-up acts, but from Jan. 16-29 the Latvian foursome is it. In addition to Italy, the bands are playing in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Estonia, Russia and Finland. The Latvian concert is scheduled Jan. 25 in the Ķīpsala Exhibition Hall in Rīga. The Jan. 29 concert in Finland also is sold out. R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe is filing frequent reports about the tour on the band’s Web site, www.remhq.com.