On Wednesday night, March 26, Carnegie Hall pulsed with reverence as a lineup of legendary artists came together for People Have the Power: A Celebration of Patti Smith, a benefit concert honoring her profound legacy. The evening unfolded like a living anthology, weaving together music, poetry, and raw emotion in a heartfelt tribute to one of rock’s most fearless pioneers.
Matt Berninger of The National set the tone with a bold choice, delivering a spoken-word performance of “Piss Factory,” the very first poem Smith ever set to music. Under the glow of the stage lights, Berninger finished crumpled pages from his jacket, casting them aside as he navigated the intensity of the piece. His hands trembled, his voice wavered, but by the final lines, he stood firm, no longer reliant on the script. It was an offering of vulnerability and reverence, one that set the standard for the night.
From there, the celebration surged forward with powerhouse performances. Bruce Springsteen’s electrifying rendition of “Because the Night” had the crowd on its feet, while Karen O brought uncontainable energy to a raucous “Gloria.” Michael Stipe, Susanna Hoffs, and Angel Olsen lent their voices to Smith’s catalog, each bringing a deeply personal interpretation to songs that have shaped generations. Interpol’s Paul Banks chose a lesser-known gem, “Mother Rose,” delivering a hauntingly delicate duet.
The evening wasn’t solely about music. Poetry readings punctuated the setlist, with Sean Penn and Scarlett Johansson reciting passages from Just Kids, Smith’s seminal memoir. Jim Jarmusch, ever the unconventional storyteller, pulled out his phone to read a piece by Arthur Rimbaud, cheekily insisting the poet had penned it “just for Patti.”
At the helm of the house band was longtime Smith collaborator Tony Shanahan, joined by Flea, Benmont Tench, and Rolling Stones drummer Steve Jordan, an ensemble as dynamic as the songs they played. The night also showcased the power of Smith’s influence beyond the industry. A stirring performance of “Paths That Cross” by students from Lower Manhattan Community Middle School underscored the event’s greater purpose: funding music education in schools, a cause that promoter Michael Dorf has championed for nearly two decades.
As the evening drew to a close, Smith herself took the stage, hand in hand with long-time collaborator Lenny Kaye. Flanked by her band, including daughter Jesse Paris on keys and son Jackson on guitar, she offered heartfelt thanks before launching into “People Have the Power.”
The song, co-written with her late husband Fred “Sonic” Smith, became more than just a highlight of the night; it embodied the driving force of her work: music as a call to action, a beacon of inspiration, and a guiding light for the artists who follow in her footsteps.
Photos courtesy of Robert Lundberg
