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To understand the value of this 2023 release, one must rewind to March 1991. R.E.M., on the cusp of global superstardom with Out of Time (released the following week), decided to blow off steam. They booked a series of secret shows in London and Cambridge under the absurdist name "Bingo Hand Job."

Record Store Day release, the core of the experience remains the same: a loose, joyful, and completely unpretentious performance by one of the world's biggest bands on the eve of their global superstardom. Historical Context: The Secret Gigs In March 1991, just days after releasing Out of Time

For the uninitiated, Bingo Hand Job is the legendary fake name R.E.M. used for two secret shows at London’s tiny Borderline club on March 12–13, 1991. These sets were a deliberate, chaotic antidote to the Out of Time arena tour that would follow. The 2023 release (sourced from PMEDIA) presents a high-quality FLAC transfer of the soundboard or pre-FM recording, likely from the second night.

The group was joined by friends like ("Conrad"), Robyn Hitchcock ("Violet"), and Peter Holsapple ("Spanish Charlie"). The 2023 FLAC Release and "PMEDIA"

2023 saw the official 32nd-anniversary reissues of Out of Time . Many believe PMEDIA timed this FLAC release to coincide, as no official "Bingo Hand Job" album exists. Despite fan petitions, R.E.M.’s management has never sanctioned a commercial release due to uncleared covers and the band’s desire to separate their "goofy" side from their legacy.

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