The Patti Smith Quartet has been added to the Big Top line-up for next year’s Galway International Arts Festival. They will perform there on Wednesday, July 15 and tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am.

Born in Chicago and raised in South Jersey, Smith moved to New York City in 1967, becoming a central force in that city’s vibrant arts scene.

Her groundbreaking 1975 debut album, Horses, now enshrined in the National Recording Registry, announced a fearless new voice, whose influence continues to reverberate. Smith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.

In her long career, Smith’s acclaimed albums include Radio Ethiopia, Easter, featuring the classic Because the Night, co-written with Bruce Springsteen; Dream of Life with its anthemic People Have the Power, co-written with her late husband Fred Sonic Smith; Gone Again, Gung Ho, Banga and more.

A four-time Grammy nominee, she has also been recognised for her work in film, literature and visual art, including an Emmy nomination for Steven Sebring’s documentary Patti Smith: Dream of Life. Her live performances have received critical praise and Smith’s literary achievements are also celebrated. Her memoir, Just Kids, chronicling her friendship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and the evolution of their work, won the US National Book Award in 2010. It was followed by M Train, Year of the Monkey and A Book of Days. Her latest book, Bread of Angels: A Memoir, was published recently.  The cultural icon is also known for her commitment to humanitarian and environmental causes.

In Galway, Smith will be joined by Tony Shanahan on bass and keyboards – she’s collaborated with him since 1996 – by her son, guitarist Jackson Smith, with whom she has collaborated for over a decade, and by Seb Rochford on drums.

Big Top acts already announced for next year include 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.

GIAF will take place from July 13–26 and tickets for Patti Smith at €70.70 (incl. booking fee) will be available from this Friday at giaf.ie or roisindubh.net.

Pictured: Patti Smith