Former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe gave a rare live performance last night (Oct. 4) in tandem with Jason Isbell as part of a Get Out the Vote event for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The four-song set at Schenley Plaza in Pittsburgh was introduced by Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff, who admitted he was both “nerding” and “geeking out” at the experience.
Isbell performed R.E.M.’s “It’s The End of the World As We Know It” at their Songwriters Hall of Fame induction concert in June, and in theory his presence on guitar and backing vocals helped Stipe feel more comfortable singing his old band’s “The One I Love” and “Driver 8” in public for the first time since 2008. Stipe also sang backup on Isbell’s own “Traveling Alone” and “Hope the High Road” last night.
“It’s been awhile since I’ve sung these songs — 16 years in fact — but I’m really happy to be here with Jason and with the soon-to-be-[first] ever First Gentleman of the United States of America,” he told the audience. “I’m as ready as I’m going to be.”
Stipe has long been at work on his debut solo album but has only occasionally sang in public since R.E.M.’s 2011 split. He remains highly involved in the New York art world, and on Monday will join author Stacey D’Erasmo for a conversation at Symphony Space about the latter’s new book, The Long Run: A Creative Inquiry.
Isbell just released the second volume of his Live From the Ryman series and will begin an eight-night run at the historic Nashville venue on Oct. 10. A European tour begins in Oslo on the U.S. election day of Nov. 5.