Munich, 13 July
Under the big tent in Munich, part of the Tollwood Summer Festival, the audience who came to witness Patti Smith were, mainly, of a certain age / maturity. People who had been following the godmother of musical protest for a generation or more, a lot more.
On stage for the best bit of two hours, with a comfort break near the end the only time she wasn’t actively involved, Patti delivered what Patti is revered for, a collection of songs that were written, sung or read out to highlight many of the wrongs perpetrated in this world by people with so called ‘power’.
Indigenous people, Allen Ginsberg, Rainer Werner Fassbinder all got a mention, while any number of writers, actors, creatives, ordinary people, were whole heartedly included into the bosom of the songs she sang. There were a couple of covers included though in themselves they had their own special meaning for Patti.
There’s a fire in her belly though that has been in existence since before she came into the wider consciousness of the general public and tonight that fire exploded as songs were introduced or ended.
I was reminded of a Billy Bragg line from his song Waiting For The Great Leap Forward – ‘If you’ve got a blacklist I want to be on it’, and there is little doubt that Patti has rocked the boat for so many good causes that she will be at the top of any blacklists that are currently circulating with the ‘power’ brokers.
Protest aside though, Patti is a charismatic character, an emotional singer with a playfulness that belies her age. She is one part, albeit the focal part, of musicians who bring her words to musical life.
Long time collaborator Tony Shanahan was flawless on bass guitar and keyboards who anchored the songs and added vocals to complement that of Patti.
On guitar was her son, Jackson, face almost hidden beneath a woollen cap, with guitar playing that veered from the complicated solos to simple rhythm as required.
On drums Seb Rochford was precise, controlled and intensely smashing in equal measure.
Even the trusted music technician got in on the act to enable Tony to play keys while bass was still required.
The setlist reflected the lengthy career that has served Patti and a worldwide audience well. And that mature crowd? They lapped up every song, every wince, every snarl.
In a world racked with daily pain, Patti reminded everyone present that we have the ability to change what we don’t like but, and it is a big but, we have to use our own voice to make that happen.
With the closing track ‘People Have The Power’ being sung by almost everyone in the tent, she left the stage to tremendous applause. Fittingly with a fist in the air to remind us of what the night meant to her as much as everyone else.
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