With all the confidence you would expect from a band that has been playing sold-out gigs for more than two decades, REM strolled onto the stage at Twickenham.

No fireworks, lengthy intro or elaborate build-up — just the knowledge that they were about to do what they do best and that, 28 years since forming, people are still eager to see them do it.

Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills haven’t toured for three years but they’re making up for lost time. Beginning three months ago in Vancouver they have played an impressive 43 shows, headlined a festival and now have the rest of Europe and America to conquer. Saturday’s Twickenham concert saw them complete their UK leg with flair.

Latest album Accelerate provided a fresh batch of live material and it was received well. Tracks such as Living Well is The Best Revenge and Hollow Man are highlights of the record and judging by the feedback have the potential to become staples. But the old favourites such as The One I Love and Losing My Religion made the biggest impact.

An REM performance wouldn’t have its edge without reference to Stipe’s political concerns. “We love our country but we really hate our government,” said the man from Georgia, America. “Let’s get Bush’s administration out of office and Obama’s in.” What a fitting intro to Ignoreland – a song that still has relevance 16 years after it was penned. Whether you agree with his views or not, there’s no denying Stipe is passionate about them and such passion translates well into music.

From more abstract luminous pop art images to flashes of Obama’s campaign posters, the visuals that accompanied much of the performance further enforced the messages.

Under gold lights, the band returned to cheers for Supernatural Superserious before ending with two of their most renowned hits: It’s The End Of The World As We Know It and Man On The Moon.

In typically polite fashion, the group finished their set by thanking support acts Guillemots and Editors. “It’s a great joy to share the stage with bands we love,” said Stipe. And the praise was justified. Both acts played well — it’s only a shame that, at times, the sound was diluted in such a big stadium.