R.E.M.’s headline performance from Glastonbury 1999 set for global stream

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R.E.M’s landmark set from the Pyramid Stage from the summer of 1999 will be streamed across the world in August - part of Glastonbury’s 50th anniversary celebrations

R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe
R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe onstage at Glastonbury 1999 (Image credit: Brian Rasic - Getty)

R.E.M’s headline set from Glastonbury 1999 is to be broadcast around the world next month.

The stream is part of the festival’s 50th anniversary celebrations and will premiere for free on YouTube on August 6 at 8pm BST.

R.E.M. hit the Pyramid Stage following earlier performances from artists including Blondie, Bush and Hole, with frontman Michael Stipe recalling: Hole did such a great set, I was like, ‘I’ve got to ramp this up, I’ve got to be great.’

“I think it was maybe a moment for R.E.M. and the UK where we had kind of been forgotten or pushed aside by younger bands, and that was a particular moment at Glastonbury where I think we pulled ourselves back to the front of the line and actually proved, this is what we’re capable of. It was a great show for us!”

Audio from the set was previously released on R.E.M. At The BBC in 2018 on 2CD, 2LP, on digital platforms and as a 8CD/DVD boxset which also featured radio sessions, live BBC broadcasts, rare and unreleased live and studio recordings and the band’s TV appearances, including their Jools Holland special in 1998. 

The stream will be available for 72 hours only.

Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.