# Michael Stipe and The National perform R.E.M. classic

> Michael Stipe joins The National for R.E.M. song at AB100 festival.
- Title: Michael Stipe and The National perform R.E.M. classic · NME
- Summary: Michael Stipe joins The National for R.E.M. song at AB100 festival. Michael Stipe performed R.E.M.'s 'E-Bow The Letter' with The National at AB100 festival…
- Keywords: michael stipe, the national, rem, ebow the letter, ab100, biarritz, san sebastián, aaron dessner, bryce dessner, matt berninger, music, culture
- Source: NME — https://nme.com/news/music/watch-michael-stipe-join-members-the-national-rem-ebow-the-letter-3973454
- Published: 2026-10-18T10:40:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: michael stipe, the national, rem, ebow the letter, ab100, biarritz, san sebastián, aaron dessner, bryce dessner, matt berninger, music, culture
## Michael Stipe joins The National
Michael Stipe performed R.E.M.'s 'E-Bow The Letter' with The National at AB100 festival in Biarritz, France.
## AB100 festival details
AB100 festival celebrates Aaron Dessner's 50th birthday with performances in Biarritz and San Sebastián.
## Song background
R.E.M. wrote 'E-Bow The Letter' during a 1995 stay in San Sebastián, originally released on their 1996 album.
## Performance details
Stipe gifted handmade sculptures to Dessner brothers before Berninger joined stage with chewing gum gifts.
## The National's next show
The National plays first full-band concert since 2024 at Kursaal Auditorium in San Sebastián on October 18.
## Stipe's solo work
Stipe continues work on solo album after sharing spoken-word track 'Hum Desiderata' in July.
## Key takeaway

Michael Stipe performed R.E.M.'s 'E-Bow The Letter' with The National at AB100 festival in Biarritz, France.