It's been more than three years since R.E.M. went their separate ways and, up until last night (Dec. 29), it had been that long since Michael Stipe had made his way back to a stage.

But the band's former frontman played an unannounced opening set for Patti Smith at New York's Webster Hall on Monday, performing six songs: R.E.M.'s 'Saturn Return' and 'New Test Leper,' Vic Chesnutt's 'Lucinda Williams,' Patti Smith's 'Wing,' Perfume Genius' 'Hood' and Frank Sinatra's 'New York New York.'

Earlier this month, Stipe told 'CBS This Morning' that, although R.E.M. would never reunite, he would sing again. Check out footage and audio from the performance below:

'Hood' (Perfume Genius)

 

'New York New York' (Sinatra)


'New Test Leper' and 'Saturn Return'

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