An Evening of Words and Music

The 60th edition of the Brighton Festival has just released its full programme, and Patti Smith is taking up a two-night residency in the city this May. While her first night on the 12th features her quartet, the following night, Wednesday 13th May, is a standalone event titled An Evening of Words and Music. This performance is scheduled for the Brighton Dome Concert Hall, though some festival documentation also references the Corn Exchange as the space for the residency. It’s a more stripped-back, intimate format than a standard concert, focusing on a mix of spoken word, poetry, and live music that spans her long career.

For those who have followed her transition from the 1970s punk-rock scene to her established literary career, this event leans into her work as a writer. It draws on her history with books like Just Kids and her most recent 2025 memoir, Bread of Angels. The evening is structured to showcase how these different mediums overlap in her current work, providing a look at her poetry alongside musical accompaniment. It’s a specific type of performance that fits the broader arts-focused atmosphere of the festival's anniversary year. Doors are set to open at 19:15, with the main performance beginning at 20:00.

In terms of getting tickets, the pricing is set at £80. The booking window opens for festival members today, 19th February, while the general public will be able to purchase them starting 26th February. Since this is part of the 60th-anniversary celebrations, the residency is one of the more distinct highlights of the May schedule. It’s a significant price point, but it reflects the exclusive nature of the performance and her dual role as both a musician and a literary figure in the contemporary arts scene.