PATTI SMITH PERFORMS 'HORSES' IN LONDON

Patti Smith performed her seminal debut album ’HORSES’ on Saturday night as part of the 2005 MELTDOWN festival in LONDON (June 25).

The singer – who was also curating the event – rounded off a week of eclectic and unique gigs from musicians and poets.

Dressed in an oversized man’s white shirt, black skinny jeans and tie, and oversized black jacket - the same clothes which featured on the iconic photograph for ’Horses’ shot by Robert Mapplethorpe - Patti Smith played the LP in its entirety at the capital’s Royal Festival Hall.

An eyewitness told NME.COM: “There was complete hero worship from audience and a massive rush to front of stage as soon as she began singing. All aisles remained packed for the entire performance. She was bantering with the audience a lot - lots of people shouting out at her from the crowd.”

She added: “She got so carried away doing side two of the album that at the end of an awesome version of 'Land' (which she segued into 'Gloria' at the end) she left the stage forgetting to do the final track ’Elegie’.”

Patti Smith then played the track as part of an encore which also featured a reading of ’Piss Factory’ and a cover of The Who’s ’My Generation’.

During the set, the star paid tribute to “friends who couldn't be with us tonight” including Robert Mapplethorpe, William Burroughs and Jim Morrison, as well as being joined by Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea for several songs.

One fan told NME.COM: “She hasn't lost any of the passion, energy and raw power. It was a totally visceral and unapologetic performance.”

’s John Cale - producer of ’Horses’ - opened up the night with a solo set.

Other highlights of the Patti Smith-curated Meltdown included Anthony & The Johnsons’ Friday night set (June 24) at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Travis’ Fran Healy and David Baddiel were spotted in the crowd, while the band played a set which featured covers of Leonard Cohen’s ’Guests’, ’s ’Candy Says’ and Nico’s ’Afraid’.

The set also included the tracks ’Dust And Water’, ’You Are My Sister’ and ’Hope There’s Someone’.

New York’s hugely influential post punks Television played a double-header of gigs at the beginning of last week (June 20-21) at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Drawing on tracks from their debut album ’Marquee Moon, the band treated fans to songs such as ’See No Evil’, Guiding Light’ and ’Venus’.

Meltdown 2005 wrapped up last night (June 26) with ’Songs Of Experience: The Work Of Jimi Hendrix And The Music That Inspired Him’ featuring [a][/a], Jeff Beck, Flea and John Frusciante.

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