Since the breakup of R.E.M. in 2011, the band’s iconic frontman Michael Stipe has generally shied away from the spotlight. Yesterday, however, he made a surprise, unannounced appearance at a Patti Smith concert at Webster Hall, opening the show with a six-song set.
The set included: R.E.M.’s “Saturn Return” and “New Test Leper”, a cover of Vic Chesnutt’s “Lucinda Williams”, Patti Smith’s “Wing”, Perfume Genius’s “Hood”, and the classic “New York, New York.”
While the performance was unannounced, Stipe did recently appear on CBS This Morning, saying, “I think I’ll sing again. That’s maybe an exclusive. But I think I will sing again.”
Here’s audio of the two R.E.M. songs performed by Stipe:
[Via CoS]