Patti Smith is set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her landmark album, Horses, with a major tour across Europe and the United States this fall. Announced on February 11, 2025, the 78-year-old icon will perform the entire album during her concerts, which begin on October 6, 2025, in Dublin and wrap up on November 29, 2025, in Philadelphia.
The Horses 50th Anniversary Tour will feature performances at notable venues, with two dates scheduled at the legendary Olympia in Paris on October 20 and 21. Tickets for these highly anticipated shows will go on sale on February 13, 2025, at 10 AM, according to the Olympia’s official site.
Smith, who has recently recovered from health concerns after fainting at a concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil, appears energized to return to the stage. “Please join us to celebrate the final ride of our irreverent thoroughbred,” she stated, urging fans to experience this momentous occasion. The tour will also stop at famous locations such as Madrid’s Teatro Real and London’s Palladium.
The band accompanying Smith includes original collaborators Lenny Kaye on guitar and Jay Dee Daugherty on drums, both of whom played on Horses. They will be joined by long-time collaborator Tony Shanahan on bass and keyboards and Jackson Smith, Patti’s son, on guitar—a family affair adding to the tour’s significance.
Horses, released on November 10, 1975, was produced by John Cale of the Velvet Underground. The album has left an indelible mark on music history, blending punk rock, poetry, and complex themes, featuring classics like “Gloria,” “Redondo Beach,” and “Land.” It became part of the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, signifying its cultural significance, and won the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2021.
This celebratory tour also follows another tribute event scheduled for March 26, 2025, at Carnegie Hall. The concert, named People Have the Power: Celebrated Music of Patti Smith, features performances from prominent artists including Michael Stipe, Kim Gordon, and Sharon Van Etten, honoring Smith's prolific contributions as both artist and poet.
Reflecting on Horses, Smith has often shared its inspirational backstory, noting her original intention to release the album on October 20, the birthday of the French poet Arthur Rimbaud, but due to delays, it was released on Rimbaud's death anniversary instead. “Perfect, it’s the anniversary of Rimbaud’s death,” she quipped, highlighting the poetry intertwined within her musical legacy.
The tour promises not just nostalgia for long-time fans but also introduces Horses to new audiences, ensuring its legacy endures. Smith's continued relevance reinforces her status as the reigning queen of punk, inspiring creativity through her unyielding spirit.
Fans eagerly await the tour, with each announcement generating excitement reminiscent of the fervor surrounding punk's rise over five decades ago. With Horses continuing to resonate, this tour is both a historical survey of its artistic influence and a celebration of Patti Smith’s enduring career.
Smith’s artistry shows no signs of waning. Mark your calendars for this upcoming tour—a chance to witness the timeless energy of Horses live and celebrate the legacy of one of music’s greatest pioneers.