Michael Stipe Reunites with R.E.M. Bandmates for Surprise Performances in Brooklyn
Michael Stipe, the iconic frontman of R.E.M., surprised fans on Saturday night by joining Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy onstage at Brooklyn Steel in New York City. The performance marked the first time Stipe has performed the songs “These Days” and “The Great Beyond” live in 18 years. Stereogum first reported the news.
R.E.M. Tribute Tour Brings Stipe Back to the Stage
Shannon and Narducy are currently touring the United States with a tribute to R.E.M.’s 1986 album, Lifes Rich Pageant, celebrating its 40th anniversary. Stipe’s appearance was a highlight of the show, drawing an enthusiastic reaction from the crowd. According to reports, Stipe joked with the audience and expressed his surprise at hearing new interpretations of the band’s classic songs. “You can’t imagine how insane it is to hear these songs performed by people so talented,” he said. “I’ve always been right in the middle of the songs, so to hear them is really fucking surreal.”
A History of Recent R.E.M. Reunions
This isn’t the first time Stipe has joined Shannon and Narducy onstage. In February 2024, all four original R.E.M. Bandmates – Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry – reunited at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia, though Stipe did not sing at that event. This marked the first time the full lineup had been together in 17 years. The group formally reunited later that year at their Songwriters Hall of Fame induction. Stereogum notes that Stipe also joined Shannon and Narducy in 2025 to perform “Pretty Persuasion” in both Athens and Brooklyn.
Tour Continues with Upcoming Dates
The Lifes Rich Pageant 40th anniversary tribute tour, featuring Shannon, Narducy, guitarist Dag Juhlin, keyboardist Vijay Tellis-Nayak, bassist John Stirratt, and drummer Jon Wurster, concludes next week. Remaining dates include stops in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago (twice), Minneapolis, and Bloomington. The tour is also scheduled to return for additional shows in the US and UK in September. Berry, Buck, and Scott McCaughey also made surprise appearances during a recent show in Athens.
Notably, R.E.M.’s final album, Collapse Into Now, was released 15 years ago today, March 7th, 2026.