Michael Stipe at The Cinema Society Hosts a Screening of 'The International' - Arrivals, New York City, USA - 09.02.09

Patti Smith, Glen Hansard and Bob Mould headline a tribute gig at New York City's Carnegie Hall on Wednesday (11Mar09) to raise money for music education charities.

And Stipe will be in the crowd - because it's his one chance to experience the energy his fans feel at an R.E.M. concert.

He explains, "It's a great honour.

"I'm going to go to watch people perform our compositions. I will never be able to see my band perform. You can watch a tape - but you don't know what it feels like in the room."

Source: WENN