Stipe dedicates song to Heath Ledger

REM singer Michael Stipe paid tribute to Heath Ledger during the band's set at this year's South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas.

Stipe dedicated the ballad 'Until The Day Is Done' to Ledger as REM played songs from their latest album Accelerate.

Before starting the track, Stipe said: "This is dedicated to Heath Ledger who loved this song." He then closed the song by shouting, "Goodbye Heath, we loved you!"

During the 90-minute set REM played songs from their new LP along with classics including 'Great Beyond' and 'Man On The Moon'.

"The good news is most of [the Accelerate songs] are under two-and-a-half minutes so if you don't like them you can have a pee break or grab a beer," said Stipe.

According to NME, Stipe also voiced his concerns about the state of US politics.

"I'm terrified at how history will look back at the overreacting of the current administration to 9/11. We have a little less than two years to make something more of this decade."

The band will preview Accelerate on Facebook's iLike application.