Sufjan Stevens makes first live musical appearance in eight years

Sufjan Stevens made a surprise onstage appearance during a performance by singer-songwriter Meg Lui at Tempo in Kingston, New York. Stevens accompanied Lui on piano and provided backing vocals for the song ‘Elvis Queen,’ a track from her new album, Instant Validation.

The performance marks Stevens’ first public musical appearance in over eight years. In 2023, the artist revealed he had been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the nerves. Since his diagnosis, Stevens has been working to relearn how to walk and use his hands.

Stevens produced Lui’s debut album, which was released via Asthmatic Kitty Records on the same day as her September 25 concert. The two artists previously collaborated on Stevens’ 2023 album, Javelin.