R.E.M.'s long-awaited return to touring after a six-year hiatus, in support of their ninth album Monster. The tour was the band's first since the Green World Tour in 1989, having skipped tours for both Out of Time and Automatic for the People. The tour began in January 1995 in Australia and spanned the globe through November. It was marked by a series of medical emergencies: drummer Bill Berry collapsed on stage in Lausanne, Switzerland on March 1 due to a ruptured brain aneurysm, bassist Mike Mills required abdominal surgery, and vocalist Michael Stipe had an emergency hernia operation. Despite these setbacks, the band completed the tour. Much of the album New Adventures in Hi-Fi was recorded during soundchecks and live performances on this tour.