Michael Stipe, former frontman of R.E.M., joined members of The National to perform 'E-Bow The Letter' at a concert in Biarritz, France, on October 17. Stipe appeared alongside The National's Matt Berninger and twin brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner at the Atabal venue.
The performance was part of the AB100 festival, a two-day event celebrating the Dessner brothers' 50th birthdays. The festival, taking place across Biarritz and San Sebastián, features various friends and collaborators.
Before the song, Stipe presented handmade sculptures to the Dessner brothers, while Berninger jokingly handed out chewing gum. Stipe noted that R.E.M. wrote 'E-Bow The Letter' in San Sebastián in 1995.
The National are set to headline the closing night of AB100 tonight, October 18, at the Kursaal Auditorium in San Sebastián. This will be their only full-band concert of 2026 and is expected to include additional special guests.