Illness forces REM to cancel concert

American rock band REM were tonight forced to cancel a show after a member of the group was taken to hospital.

Bass player Mike Mills was taken to hospital in Sheffield, where the band had been due to perform, after complaining of severe flu-like symptoms.

A spokeswoman for the band said when Mills arrived at the Hallam FM Arena an hour before the band were due on stage he “could hardly stand up let alone play.”

Fellow band members, frontman Michael Stipe and guitarist Peter Buck, played four songs acoustically for the 12,000-strong audience.

The pair, who performed for about 15 minutes, played The One I Love, Leaving New York, I’ve Been High and Losing My Religion.

The concert has been rescheduled for June 15 and everyone who had a ticket for tonight’s show would be able to attend then, the spokeswoman said.

“They feel terrible about having to cancel the show at the last minute.

“Anyone who has a ticket for tonight’s gig should hold on to their ticket stub and they will gain entry.”

The concert had been one of four UK dates the band was due to play as part of their European tour.

It was hoped Mills would be well enough to play tomorrow’s concert in Glasgow, she said.