Michael Stipe performs ‘E-Bow The Letter’ after 17-year gap
The R.E.M. singer joined Aaron and Bryce Dessner’s birthday festival, with Matt Berninger also taking part in the performance.
Michael Stipe returned to R.E.M.’s “E-Bow The Letter” onstage after 17 years during AB100, a two-day Basque Country festival marking Aaron and Bryce Dessner’s 50th birthday. His appearance came during the twins’ “Mixtape” set.
The National’s Matt Berninger joined Stipe, who also sang “No Time For Love Like Now,” his collaboration with Big Red Machine. For “E-Bow The Letter” in Biarritz, the accompanying musicians included keyboardist Jon Hopkins and cellist Anastasia Kobekina. R.E.M. originally recorded the song with Patti Smith.
Before the music, Stipe gave the Dessners small sculptures he had made during the year they toured together. Bryce Dessner recalled requesting songs when the National supported R.E.M. in 2007/2008, saying Stipe had again agreed to a request for this performance. The birthday celebration took place months after the twins’ April 23 birthday.
Introducing “E-Bow The Letter,” Stipe traced its beginnings to New York City in 1975 and said it began taking shape in San Sebastián in 1995. Separately, he said his debut solo album would arrive in 2027, with its first single due minutes into the new year.
