Billionaire Host's Amagansett Games End With Stipe and Carlile Covering Elvis

Michael Stipe and Brandi Carlile performed a cover of Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" at the closing ceremony of the Gansett Games, an annual field day hosted by billionaire crypto investor Mike Novogratz in Amagansett, NY, on June 27, according to Stereogum.

StereogumMichael Stipe and Brandi Carlile Cover Elvis Presley at Mike Novogratz's Gansett Games

Stereogum described the event as "a premier gathering for wealthy individuals." The closing ceremony was also called a "star-studded closing ceremony" by the outlet, which noted that the performance was backed by a house band including Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and super-producer Andrew Watt.

The Gansett Games had previously been referenced on the TV show Billions, giving the gathering a pop culture footprint that extended beyond the Hamptons social circuit. Stereogum reported that the event has long been a fixture for the ultra-wealthy, blending athletic competition with high-profile entertainment.

The pairing of Stipe, the iconic R.E.M. frontman, with Carlile, a contemporary country-rock star, for a Presley classic underscores the eclectic mix that the billionaire-hosted field day attracts. The event's growing profile shows how crypto wealth is shaping elite social events, with Novogratz's annual gathering becoming a notable stop for A-list musicians.