Michael Stipe's R.E.M. Return
Michael Stipe performed R.E.M. songs live for the first time in 18 years at Brooklyn Steel this weekend. Joined Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy's R.E.M. tribute act to perform "These Days" and "The Great Beyond." Last time he played R.E.M. material was 2008 — this rare appearance has generated significant buzz in the indie and alternative communities.
R.E.M. officially disbanded in 2011 after 31 years and more than 90 million albums sold worldwide. The breakup was amicable, with the members stating they wanted to end on a high note and that the time felt right. Guitarist Peter Buck later added that near the end, the band could barely agree on musical direction, how to record, or whether to tour. The band Stipe joined is fronted by Oscar-nominated actor Michael Shannon and indie rock veteran Jason Narducy. Their R.E.M. tribute project began as a one-off show in Chicago in 2023 to honor the 40th anniversary of the album *Murmur* and has since evolved into a recurring, successful touring act. This current tour celebrates the 40th anniversary of R.E.M.'s 1986 album, *Lifes Rich Pageant*. This weekend's performance wasn't Stipe's first guest spot with the tribute act. In 2025, he joined Shannon and Narducy at shows in Athens, Georgia, and Brooklyn to perform the song "Pretty Persuasion." The tribute shows have received a broader blessing from the band, with all four original members having appeared on stage with them at a 2024 show in R.E.M.'s hometown of Athens. Upon taking the stage at Brooklyn Steel, Stipe told the audience, "You can't imagine how insane it is to hear these songs performed by people so talented. I've always been right in the middle of the songs, so to hear them is really fucking surreal.” The evening's bill also included opening sets from comedians Eugene Mirman and Bobcat Goldthwait. Since R.E.M. disbanded, Stipe has focused on visual arts, photography, and film production through his companies C-00 and Single Cell Pictures. He has also released several solo singles and has been working on his first full solo album, which he described as a departure into electronic and ambient sounds. Despite these occasional live appearances, the members of R.E.M. have consistently and firmly ruled out a full-fledged reunion tour. Stipe has called the idea "tacky and probably money-grabbing," while other members have said a reunion "would never be as good" as their original run.
