REM Frontman Michael Stipe Protests Against the Iraq War

Michael Stipe, the REM frontman will headline the 'Bring 'Em Home Now' event, a concert urging the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

The event will take place at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom on 20 March, the third anniversary of the Iraq invasion.

Rufus Wainwright, Public Enemy front man Chuck D, Fischerspooner and other music stars will also perform.

Anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan, a leading figure in the campaign against US troops being stationed in the country, will speak at the concert. Her son Casey was killed during the Iraq war in 2004, and she has been a vehement protester ever since; her protest included camping outside President Bush's Texas ranch. In September she was arrested in Washington DC for taking part in an anti-war rally.

Organizers have said the gig will be followed by a tour of 15 US cities. Casey Spooner of Fischerspooner declared for BBC news: "It is impossible not react to the current state of affairs through personal action and artistic production." He added: "We have been at war for three years. One desperately feels the need for someone to speak some sort of truth, either poetic or factual."

More performers are expected to be added to the line-up and proceeds from the concert will be donated to Veterans For Peace and Iraq Veterans Against The War.

REM is known for its anti-war messages. Last June, they took part in a Burma protest concert, dedicating their performance to the country's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.