The Patti Smith Quartet

The Brighton Festival is reaching its 60th anniversary this year, and the programme for 2026 suggests a bit of a new era under the leadership of Executive Director Lucy Davies. Running from 1 to 26 May, the festival is packing in over 100 events across 24 days, ranging from world premieres to various local collaborations. One of the central features of this landmark edition is a residency by global icon Patti Smith, who is returning to the Brighton Dome Concert Hall for two specific performances that highlight different sides of her work.

The first night, scheduled for 12 May, features The Patti Smith Quartet. This show brings her together with her long-time musical collaborators, focusing on the rock sound she is known for. It is a concert setting that contrasts with what is planned for the following evening. On 13 May, the format changes to ‘An Evening of Words and Music’. This second event is designed to be more intimate, blending her poetry and spoken word pieces with a musical performance. Having these two distinct nights gives you a bit of choice depending on whether you are more interested in the full band setup or her literary side.

As this is the 60th year, the festival organisers have been quite specific about the ticketing timeline. For those who are already members, booking opens today, 19 February, at 9:00 AM. If you are not a member, the general sale begins next week on 26 February at 10:00 AM. The residency is part of a much broader calendar that includes various international cultural figures and local artists, with over 100 events scheduled in total. It is worth looking at the full programme if you are planning to head into town during the festival, as the residency sits alongside a wide variety of other performances and installations across Brighton.