One of the most influential and revered artists of our time, Patti Smith, will perform at the Heineken® Big Top on Wednesday 15 July 2026, as part of next summer’s Galway International Arts Festival. Tickets go on sale at 10am, tomorrow Friday 12 December, from giaf.ie and roisindubh.net
A true pioneer whose work reshaped the possibilities of rock music and poetry, Patti Smith’s arrival in Galway marks a milestone moment for the festival. Few artists have carved such a singular path through music, literature and art, or sustained such a powerful cultural presence for over five decades. Next July, audiences will have the chance to experience that rare creative force live, in what promises to be an unforgettable night beneath the iconic Big Top.
Born in Chicago and raised in South Jersey, Smith moved to New York City in 1967 and swiftly became a vital presence within its flourishing arts scene. Her seismic 1975 debut, Horses—now preserved in the National Recording Registry—announced an artist of fearless vision, fusing poetry and punk into something utterly new. That record would go on to influence generations of musicians, writers and performers, cementing Smith’s place as one of the defining voices of modern culture. Her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 further affirmed her enduring impact.
Across her remarkable career, Smith has released a catalogue of acclaimed albums, among them Radio Ethiopia, Easter—featuring her iconic anthem Because the Night, co-written with Bruce Springsteen—Dream of Life with its rousing People Have the Power, the acclaimed Gone Again, Gung Ho, Banga, and many more. A four-time Grammy nominee, her creative reach extends far beyond music; her contributions to film, literature and visual art have earned international recognition, including an Emmy nomination for Steven Sebring’s documentary Patti Smith: Dream of Life. Her concerts, meanwhile, are renowned for their emotional intensity, raw honesty and spontaneous spirit—a testament to her artistic vitality.
Smith’s impact on literature is equally profound. Her memoir Just Kids, a moving portrait of her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and their artistic evolution, won the National Book Award in 2010. It was followed by M Train, Year of the Monkey, A Book of Days, and most recently Bread of Angels: A Memoir, further establishing her as one of the most distinctive literary voices of her generation. Throughout her work, Smith has remained committed to humanitarian and environmental causes, continuing to speak with clarity, compassion and conviction.
For this special GIAF performance, Smith will be joined by long-time collaborator Tony Shanahan on bass and keyboards; her son Jackson Smith on guitar; and Seb Rochford on drums. Together, the Patti Smith Quartet will bring a powerful and deeply moving show to Galway for what will be Smith’s eagerly anticipated debut in the city.
Tickets, priced at €70.70 including booking fee, go on sale at 10am Friday 12 December.
Patti Smith joins an already stellar line-up for the Heineken® Big Top at Galway International Arts Festival 2026, including James, The Saw Doctors, Emeli Sandé and James Morrison, Block Rockin Beats, Bell X1, Sophie Ellis-Bextor with special guest Kate Nash, and The Flaming Lips with special guests Mercury Rev.
Galway International Arts Festival 2026 takes place from 13–26 July, continuing its near 50-year tradition of presenting world-class art, performance and ideas, and shaping Ireland’s cultural landscape.
