R.E.M. performs publicly for the first time in 16 years at surprise NYC reunion
R.E.M. performed together in public for the first time in nearly 16 years, playing a surprise rendition of their 1991 hit “Losing My Religion” for a wowed crowd in NYC.
“We are R.E.M.,” singer Michael Stipe said before performing an acoustic version of the angsty tune at the 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on Thursday night.
@R.E.M. reunite on stage for the first time in 15 years for “Losing My Religion” at the Songwriters Hall of Fame gala in NYC. ?? #rem #nostalgia #rockband #concert #livemusic #losingmyreligion #reunion
Stipe was joined by bandmates Mike Mills, Bill Berry and Peter Buck, with whom he formed the Georgia-based band in 1980. They last played a public concert in 2008, according to Billboard, and officially disbanded in 2011.
The unexpected performance came mere hours after the band told “CBS Mornings” it would take “a comet” to get them to perform together one last time.
Also at the event was rapper and producer Timbaland, who treated the audience to a mashup of his hits on a night that also honored him and Steely Dan as the latest inductees into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The event even included singer Jason Isbell belting out R.E.M.’s tongue-twisting 1987 anthem “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine).”
But the evening wasn’t all about the oldies but goodies.
Singer SZA, 34, was presented the Hal David Starlight Award for gifted young songwriters by producer Nile Rodgers.
With News Wire Services