Michael Stipe Plays Surprise Set In NYC

Last night Patti Smith played the Beacon Theatre in New York City. Those in attendance were treated to a surprise opening set from R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, who did the same thing before Smith’s Webster Hall performance in NYC last December. Stipe loaded his set with six covers as he was backed by Jesse Smith, Andy LeMaster and Dominic DeJoseph.

The singer opened his set with a cover of Neil Young’s “Old Man.” He then led the band through a portion of “Venus In Furs” by The Velvet Underground and Dave Berry’s “The Crying Game.” Stipe ended his set with covers of “People Are Strange” (The Doors), “Imagine” (John Lennon) and “All The Young Dudes” (Mott The Hoople). Stipe later came out to help Smith end her main set with “People Have The Power.”

Watch fan-shot footage of three covers and “People Have The Power” via Dave Amedeo:

[Imagine]

[People Are Strange]

[All The Young Dudes]

[People Have The Power]