Patti Smith electrifies the Olympia for the 50th anniversary of "Horses": we were there, and we're here to tell you all about it.

50 years. It's already been 50 years since Patti Smith 's legendary album "Horses" was released. In the fall of 1975, the American artist released her very first record. It was an album that would leave a lasting mark on rock history thanks to timeless tracks such as "Free Money," "Redondo Beach," and, of course, "Gloria." Fifty years later, this album still resonates in the minds of many.

For the record, "Horses" was supposed to be released on October 20, the birthday of French poet Arthur Rimbaud, who was so dear to Patti Smith. Due to a vinyl shortage following the 1975 oil crisis, the album's release was postponed until November 10. Patti Smith didn't take offense, since that was the anniversary of Rimbaud's death!

Fifty years after the release of this essential Patti Smith album, the New York artist and her bandmates are touring Europe to celebrate this anniversary in style. In 2015, Patti Smith chose to perform atthe Olympia. Ten years later, the singer and poet returns to this iconic Parisian venue. We attended the first of these two concerts at the Olympia on Monday, October 20, 2025. Here's our account of this journey through time, filled with energy, rock, poetry, rebellion, and emotion.

Announced for 8 p.m., Patti Smith and her loyal musicians finally make their entrance shortly before 8:15 p.m. The stage design was simple, as was the lighting, which remained virtually unchanged throughout the set. On stage, of course, was guitarist Lenny Kaye, whom we were delighted to see again after his absence from the Quartet's tour, as well as drummer Seb Rochford, Tony Shanahan, and Jackson Smith, Patti's son, not to mention Jesse Paris Smith, her daughter, on piano during the encore. Still proudly sporting her long gray hair, black boots, timeless jeans, and black jacket, Patti Smith slowly walks onto the stage, glasses perched on her nose, before removing them to greet the audience.

Now 78 years old, the artist seems weaker than before. But she quickly proves us wrong. As soon as Patti Smith starts singing, she regains her former passion, carried by an undeniable magnetic presence. The first song, the sensational "Gloria," is proof of this. In just over six minutes, the high priestess of punk gives us a masterclass in rock 'n' roll. Legs start moving, arms go up and heart rates accelerate. Get ready for two hours of real rock, served up by an icon you can never tire of. Patti Smith is one of those rare artists who lives her songs 100%. Patti Smith doesn't just sing, she embodies her songs with rage, intelligence and panache.

Patti Smith and her bandmates continue with the reggae-tinged "Redondo Beach," followed by the powerful "Free Money," which once again gives rise to some uncontrolled hip-swinging. The New York artist then offers us a truly suspended moment with her romantic and mournful epic " Birdland." In particularly good form this Monday evening, Patti Smith even goes so far as to sing her heart out on this track. It is simply moving and transcendent. It is at this point that the artist decides to speak for the first time that evening. With a touch of humor, the poet explains that it is time to flip the vinyl record "Horses" over to move on to the next side. So we move on to side B and continue this beautiful journey through space and time with "Kimberly," the catchy "Break It Up," and the heartbreaking "Elegy." Usually dedicated to Jimi Hendrix, this song will be dedicated on Monday evening to Arthur Rimbaud, born on October 20, to whom Patti Smith is immensely devoted.

• To be read
• Concerts in Paris in October 2025: not-to-be-missed events in the Paris region this month
• Patti Smith: set list from the 50th anniversary concert of "Horses" at the Olympia in Paris
• Patti Smith in concert at the Olympia in Paris in October 2025

It's already hot in the pit atthe Olympia. But the temperature rises another notch with the unmissable "Land: Horses / Land of a Thousand Dances / Gloria." More than 12 minutes of pure enjoyment during which Patti Smith shows us once again that she is and will remain the priestess of punk! With her powerful, raspy voice, the New York singer grabs the microphone, bends over double and spits (literally) her anger onto the stage with such disconcerting energy that she knocks her jacket off. The audience cheers and claps, under the admiring gaze of Michael Stipe from REM, who is present that evening in the mezzanine. 

After so much effort, Patti Smith takes a short break and leaves the stage with her jacket on backwards, causing hilarity in the audience. She leaves her band alone to pay tribute to Television, the legendary New York band of the 1970s, composed of Tom Verlaine, who died in 2023, Richard Lloyd, Billy Ficca, and Fred Smith. Lenny Kaye,Seb Rochford, Tony Shanahan, andJackson Smiththentreatedthe Parisian audiencetoa beautiful medley of three songs: "See No Evil," "Friction," and "Marquee Moon."

Ten minutes later, Patti Smith returns to the stage for the second half of the set. For the occasion, the artist has swapped her black jacket for a sleeveless vest. And the singer still had a few surprises in store for us, starting with the unmissable "Dancing Barefoot," from "Wave," followed by the striking "Pissing In a River," which we had hoped to hear that evening. It was as beautiful and captivating as ever. Patti Smith and her band then played a cover version of "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" by The Smashing Pumpkins. Patti Smith seemed to love the song so much that she jumped around on stage. And the artist still had energy to spare. The set continued with the moving "Peaceable Kingdom," a song written in 2004 and dedicated that Monday evening to Palestinian children, followed by the essential "Because the Night," in memory of Fred " Sonic " Smith, her husband who died in 1994.

Because a Patti Smith concert without "People Have the Power" would be a failed concert for many, the artist and her band chose to close this incredible two-hour set with this invigorating and committed song that reminds us that power belongs to the people. Because, as Patti Smith says every time, "Don't forget it, USE YOUR VOICE"!

We thought we would see a diminished Patti Smith after her collapse last January in Brazil. Nothing could be further from the truth. Quite the contrary. As the years go by, the great New York singer seems to live each concert as if it were her last. Backed by her incredible band, Patti Smith still possesses that immeasurable rage and infectious energy that make her such a huge artist with a magnetic presence and undeniable talent.

Patti Smith: the setlist for the 50th anniversary concert of 'Horses' at the Olympia in Paris
Patti Smith returns to the Olympia in Paris on Monday, October 20, and Tuesday, October 21, 2025, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her legendary album 'Horses'. We attended the first of these two Parisian concerts by the high priestess of punk. Here's your chance to see the setlist! [Read more]