Last night Michael Stipe once again took to the stage at New York City's Webster Hall opening for Patti Smith. Stipe's setlist from last night was identical to the December 29th show; Stipe explained to the crowd that the December 29th show was essentially a rehearsal for last night's show. Before he performed "New York, New York," he told a few stories about New York City, revealing to the crowd that it was such a big moment in his career to play NYC in 1981 (when R.E.M. opened for Gang Of Four at the Ritz, now renamed Webster Hall), and called it "the pinnacle of feeling like I made it."
Stipe was super chatty during his set -- he told the crowd Patti Smith instructed him to "talk a lot" between songs, which he took to heart. Wikipedia, Dolly Parton, and rewriting "New Test Leper" eight times (!) were among some of the topics he worked into the set. Take a look at video of Stipe's appearance from December 30th below, plus watch Stipe and friends sing Happy Birthday to Patti Smith:
Published December 31st, 2014 @ 10:26 PM