Michael Stipe and Jason Isbell joined forces to carry out a pair of R.E.M. classics throughout a Pennsylvania marketing campaign occasion supporting Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
On Friday (Oct. 4), the singer-songwriters took the stage throughout a Get Out the Vote live performance at Pittsburgh’s Schenley Plaza, the place Stipe sang R.E.M.’s “The One I Love” and “Driver 8,” which he hadn’t carried out reside since 2008. The previous was the enduring rock band’s first prime 10 hit, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Scorching 100 chart in 1987.
The singer-songwriters additionally teamed up for a handful of songs from Isbell’s catalog, together with “Touring Alone” and “Hope the Excessive Street.”
Throughout the occasion, Stipe and Isbell had been launched by potential future First Gentleman Doug Emhoff, who’s married to Vice President Harris. Emhoff was current to assist rally voters within the battleground state for this yr’s Democratic presidential ticket.
“It’s been some time since I’ve sung these songs, 16 years the truth is, however I’m actually completely happy to be right here with Jason and with the soon-to-be First Gentleman ever of the USA of America,” Stipe instructed the group.
Stipe and Isbell have been vocal of their help for the VP this yr, with the “Cowl Me Up” singer performing on the Democratic Nationwide Conference in August. Stevie Marvel, John Legend, The Chicks, Mickey Guyton and P!nk additionally took the stage on the Chicago political gathering, whereas quite a few movie star musicians — together with Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Lizzo and Cardi B — have all endorsed Harris for president in 2024.
The Get Out the Vote live performance arrived on the heels of the Oct. 1 vice presidential debate between Walz and Donald Trump’s working mate, JD Vance, which came about a number of weeks after the Sept. 10 presidential debate between Harris and the previous POTUS.
Each campaigns at the moment are working to sway the minds of American voters as Election Day on Nov. 5 approaches, notably the nation’s swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Watch Stipe and Isbell’s performances of “The One I Love” and “Driver 8” right here.