Michael Stipe and Jason Isbell teamed up for a four-song set at a campaign rally in support of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in Pittsburgh on Friday night.
The performance kicked off with Stipe revisiting R.E.M.’s “The One I Love,” before the two sang Isbell’s songs “Traveling Alone” and “Hope the High Road.” They then closed out their mini-set with a rendition of R.E.M.’s “Driver 8.”
The duo were introduced by Harris’ husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. “So honored and just geeking out, nerding out and geeking out that I’m about to introduce Michael Stipe and Jason Isbell,” he said.
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As for Stipe, it marked a rare live public performance for the former R.E.M. frontman. He most recently sang live at the Songwriters Hall of Fame event back in June, where he reunited with his former bandmates for a performance of “Losing My Religion.” During Friday’s rally, Stipe noted that he hadn’t sung either “The One I Love” or “Drive 8” live since R.E.M.’s breakup in 2008, “but I’m really happy to be here with Jason and with the soon-to-be-ever First Gentleman of the United States of America.”
Stipe and Isbell join an increasingly long list of musicians who have thrown their support behind Harris and Walz. Other artists supporting the Democratic ticket include Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Hayley Williams, Bon Iver, P!NK, Stevie Wonder, Alanis Morissette, and Megan Thee Stallion.
