Patti Smith will return to the Pohoda festival in 2027, performing with her quartet at the event’s 31st edition, according to Aktuality. The festival, scheduled for July 8–10, 2027, announced the booking one day after reporting that half of its total capacity had already been sold. According to PR manager Lukáš Grešš, the upcoming appearance marks the return of an artist who fundamentally influenced the course of modern music.
A Decade-Spanning Return
The artist last performed at the festival in 2009, which served as her first-ever concert in Slovakia. During the second half of that 2009 show, she addressed the crowd with a message regarding environmental responsibility and personal agency, urging them to recognize their own power and resist control by governments or corporations. Her final message to the audience was simple: “Be free.”
The Patti Smith Quartet Lineup
For the 2027 appearance, the singer will be accompanied by the Patti Smith Quartet. The ensemble includes her son, guitarist Jackson Smith, bassist and keyboardist Tony Shanahan, and drummer Seb Rochford. PR manager Lukáš Grešš noted that Shanahan has collaborated with the singer for over two decades, while Jackson Smith has been a member of her touring band for years. Rochford, known for his work with Sons of Kemet and David Byrne, provides a distinct rhythmic style and experience from the jazz and experimental music scenes. The festival stated that the group gives classic compositions a new form, highlighting the power of Smith’s lyrics, guitar work, and voice.
Patti Smith Launched Her Career with Horses
Born in Chicago in 1946 and raised in New Jersey, Smith became a central figure in the New York underground scene upon the 1975 release of her debut album, Horses. The record combined raw rock and roll with poetry and improvisation, establishing her as a punk pioneer. Her 1978 album Easter featured her biggest commercial hit, Because the Night,
co-written with Bruce Springsteen. In 1979, she withdrew from public life, moved to Detroit, and married musician Fred “Sonic” Smith to focus on her family. Following her husband’s death in 1994, she gradually returned to music with the 1996 album Gone Again. Her history is deeply connected to legendary locations in New York. In 2007, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Backstage History and Current Status
Reflecting on her 2009 appearance, which occurred shortly before the festival’s premature end due to a tent collapse, organizers recalled her interaction with the media. During a press conference, she performed the song “Grateful” for journalists. She also met musician Richard Müller backstage, who had her sign his guitar. Her recent concerts are described not as nostalgic replays, but as open meetings with audiences that blend poetry, personal stories, and current themes. Beyond her musical work, she has become an accomplished author.
Tickets for the event are currently available through the official festival website.