Janelle Monáe, R.E.M., Patti Smith, Wilco, More Donate Setlists for Charity Auction
Patti Smith, Janelle Monáe, R.E.M., Death Cab For Cutie, the Who, Mitski, and many other musicians have donated over a hundred setlists for a charity auction. It’s part of an initiative called Setlists For Young Voices, organized by authors Dave Eggers, Nick Hornby (High Fidelity), and Michael Chabon. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards international youth writing and activism centers, including the Ministry of Stories, as well as The International Congress of Youth Voices.
“We’re hoping to raise about $50,000,” says Eggers in a statement. “That will have a powerful impact on more than 150 student writers at the Ministry of Stories and writing centers worldwide.”
“One of my friends used to stand at the front of the show so he could read the setlist and call out the name of the next song. It really used to annoy the band,” Hornby says. “So this is a way to satisfy your music-geek side without aggravating your favorite musicians.”
Notable setlists for auction include two from R.E.M.’s first major tour in 1989, signed by all four original members, and five hand-written setlists from Patti Smith. The auction begins tonight at 10 p.m. Find all the setlists and auction details here.
