Michael Stipe Performs R.E.M.’s ‘E-Bow The Letter’ With The National Members

By Andy Kahn Oct 19, 2026 • 10:47 am PDT

Michael Stipe performed R.E.M.’s “E-Bow The Letter” with Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner of The National on Saturday at the AB100 Mixtape set at Atabal in Biarritz, France. Many additional guests participated in the show that celebrated the Dessner twins’ 50th birthdays.

“E-Bow The Letter” appeared on R.E.M.’s 1996 album New Adventures In Hi-Fi and originally featured Patti Smith. Stipe also sang his 2020 collaboration with Aaron Dessner, “No Time For Love Like Now.”

Those who also played with the Dessner brothers at various times included Jon Hopkins, Max Porter, Anaïs Mitchell, Ragnar Kjartansson, Ye Vagabonds, Mina Tindle, Ben Howard, Pomme, Anastasia Kobekina and Richard Reed Parry.

Several of those participants also performed with The National on Sunday at the Kursaal Donostia in San Sebastián, Spain. Billed as The National & Friends, the AB100 finale was the band’s first full-band concert since 2024 and its only scheduled full-band show of 2026.

Watch Michael Stipe lead the performance of R.E.M.’s “E-Bow The Letter” below: