Patti Smith’s 50-year cross-generational musical impact was on full display Wednesday night, as artists both young and old came out to serenade the legendary artist during a tribute concert at Carnegie Hall. Bruce Springsteen, Michael Stipe, Flea, Sean Penn, Karen O, Scarlett Johansson, Maggie Rogers, Johnny Depp, Susanna Hoffs, Jim Jarmusch, Matt Berninger, Glen Hansard, Sharon Van Etten, Courtney Barnett, Angel Olsen, Alison Mosshart, Michael Shannon, and members of Smith’s backing band were among the many names who turned out for “People Have the Power: A Celebration of Patti Smith.”
The concert doubled as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Smith’s landmark album, Horses, and a charity benefit for music education for underserved youth. Tony Shanahan, a frequent collaborator of Smith’s, served as the event’s musical director and led a house a band also featuring Flea, Steve Jordan, Charlie Sexton, and Benmont Tench.
The setlist featured performances Smith songs including “Redondo Beach” sung by Barnett; “Gloria” by Karen O; “Frederick” by Rogers; “Easter” by Olsen; “Dancing Barefoot” by Depp and Mosshart; and “Pissing in a River” by Van Etten. Additionally, Penn, Johansson, and Shannon recited some of Smith’s poetry.
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The evening concluded with Springsteen taking the stage to sing “Because the Night,” the 1978 song he co-wrote with Smith, before giving the way to the night’s honoree, who performed “Peaceable Kingdom” “People Have the Power.” The latter song saw her joined on stage by many of the night’s performers.
Watch fan-captured video and see the full setlist from the evening below.
This fall, Smith will further celebrate Horses by embarking on an anniversary tour. Get tickets here.
Setlist:
“Piss Factory” (Matt Berninger)
“Free Money” (Jesse Malin)
“Redondo Beach” (Courtney Barnett)
“Pissing in a River” (Sharon Van Etten)
“Cowboy Truths” (Michael Shannon)
“Elegie” (Kronos Quartet)
“My Blakean Year” (Michael Stipe with Jesse Paris Smith, Tony Shanahan and Andy LeMaster)
“The Hour of Noon” (Jim Jarmusch)
“A Songwriter’s Song” (Jim Jarmusch)
“Departure” (Jim Jarmusch)
“Ghost Dance” (Ben Harper)
“Ask the Angels” (Alison Mosshart)
“Kimberly” (Susanna Hoffs)
“Mother Rose” (Paul Banks and Julia Banks)
“Wind” (Body/Head)
“Final Letter to Mapplethorpe” (Scarlett Johansson)
“Reflecting Robert” (Scarlett Johansson)
“Paths That Cross” (Music Will Academy of Lower Manhattan Public Middle School)
“Easter” (Angel Olsen)
“The Golden Cockerel” (Sean Penn)
“Beneath the Southern Cross” (Glen Hansard)
“Frederick” (Maggie Rogers)
“Dancing Barefoot” (Johnny Depp and Alison Mosshart)
“Gloria” (Karen O)
“Because the Night” (Bruce Springsteen)
reading, unknown title (Patti Smith)
“Peaceable Kingdom”/”People Have the Power” (Patti Smith)
“People Have the Power” (Patti Smith and Ensemble)
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