Patti Smith has clarified that she is “fine” after collapsing on stage at Brazil’s Cultura Artística on Wednesday night and ending her show early.
“A grossly exaggerated account is being spread by the press and social media,” Smith wrote on Instagram. “I had some post migraine dizziness. Had a small incident, left the stage, and returned 10 minutes later and talked to the people, told them I was fine and sang them ‘Wing’ and ‘Because the Night.’”
She continued. “I was checked out by an excellent doctor and was absolutely fine. Please do not accept any other story. With all the strife in the world, this explainable incident does not merit so much attention. Thank you everyone for your concern. Trust me I am fine.”
Smith’s collaborators Soundwalk Collective posted an Instagram Story explaining she had been suffering from “an intense migraine the past couple days.” However, the artist is “now being cared for by the best doctors in the most loving way” in preparation for another performance at the same venue tonight (January 30th).
Micheline Alves, a journalist seated in the front row of the event, gave her account of the incident to The Associated Press: “She clearly felt dizzy. She started moving backward and fell in a way — I think she tried to support herself on the microphone or the music stand. And everything fell on top of her. It was a bizarre scene.”
In 2023, Smith was briefly hospitalized for a “sudden illness” while on tour in Italy, but returned to the road shortly afterward.
Later this year, Smith will be honored with a tribute concert at New York City’s Carnegie Hall featuring Michael Stipe, Kim Gordon, Matt Berninger, Karen O, Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten, and more. She is also slated for a European tour this summer. Tickets for the latter can be purchased here.