It hasn't been that long since Michael Stipe was talking about the impossibility of REM reforming (ever) - and it seems he put his money where his mouth is on Monday night in New York by playing his first-ever solo gig.
Stipe surprised audiences at a Patti Smith gig by running through six songs - two of them little-known REM album tracks - as her support act. It's the first time that he has played live since REM split in 2011.
He also played Frank Sinatra's 'New York, New York' and Perfume Genius's 'Hood'.
Watch him singing 'New York, New York' below:
