Stipe, Wainwright to play anti-war gig

Stipe's REM

Michael Stipe, Rufus Wainwright and others are planning a concert demanding US troops leave Iraq.

The Bring 'Em Home Now! event will be held at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom on March 20 – the third anniversary of the invasion.

Other acts lined up include Fischerspooner and Peaches. Anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan will give a speech before touring 15 US cities along with anti-war authors.

Casey Spooner of Fischerspooner said: "It is impossible not react to the current state of affairs through personal action and artistic production."

Concert proceeds will go to Veterans For Peace and Iraq Veterans Against The War.