R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe Performed A Surprise, All-Covers Set Before A Patti Smith Show

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New York’s Patti Smith fans were treated to a surprise set by R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe on Nov. 10. Stipe opened for Smith unannounced and played an all-covers set that included songs by Neil Young and Mott The Hoople.

Stipe hasn’t performed much since R.E.M. called it quits. The band decided to end their 30-year-long run in 2011. But he’s still a gifted performer, as evidenced by Instagram videos of the event. Check out a few below.

The Doors – People Are Strange

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Neil Young – Old Man

Mott The Hopple – All The Young Dudes

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A full version is available here.

Check out Stipe’s setlist (via Consequence of Sound) :

“Old Man” (Neil Young cover)
“Venus in Furs” (The Velvet Underground cover)
“The Crying Game” (Boy George cover)
“People Are Strange” (The Doors cover)
“Imagine” (John Lennon cover)
“All the Young Dudes” (Mott The Hoople cover)

Stipe wasn’t done after his own set. He joined Smith on stage later, as this Instagram video shows.

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This is becoming a bit of a tradition for Stipe. His first ever solo show after the dissolution of R.E.M. was an unannounced set before a Patti Smith show in New York last year.