Patti Smith

A "little song" for the "Pedruselli" theatre. Patti Smith, rock icon, makes an effort to speak Italian. She dedicates her thoughts to one of the symbols not only of Puglia, but of the entire South, in its constant, elusive quest for redemption. She caught a glimpse of it from the window of the Hotel Oriente and, in a matter of moments, turned the temple of opera into a rock anthem for the thousands of people who packed the Paltour in Bitritto.

A grand start to the 19th edition of Time Zones, with Patti Smith and her band. A two-hour musical journey traces a thirty-year career of a unique artist who blends lyrics of clear social and political engagement with hypnotic melodies and driving rhythms.

The high priestess preaches from the Palatour stage, the crowd applauds and cheers, following her into the trance of psychedelic ballads and pacifist anthems. These suggestions are made even stronger by the black-and-white images running on the screen behind the band. The prisoners of Guantanamo, the peace demonstrations, the victims of war, stir the crowd to the notes of "Break it up", a solemn and tormented anthem, at the end of which the poet covers her head with the rainbow flag of peace.

Patti Smith moves with elegance. The lights follow her as she gives herself to the audience reaching out for her, and as she kneels with her blonde hair hiding her face. Her powerful, husky voice (despite her 58 years) tears through the Palatour, which showers the singer with repeated tributes. A single gesture of her hand is enough to unleash the crowd's enthusiasm and bring the now-conquered audience to its feet.

The first part of the concert is the lighter, more melodic one, with "Privilege", "Tubalee" and the touching "Mother rose", during which a photo of her mother appears on the screen. On the reggae-tinged "Redondo beach", Patti Smith gives in to gentler movements and lets her dark jacket slip off. Her wide-brimmed black hat had flown off almost immediately. She remains in a waistcoat, white t-shirt and faded jeans.

The middle section is the most demanding vocally. "Death city", "Father figure", "Pissing in a river", "Cash", "25th Floor" follow one another, well supported by a tight-knit band, in a session the Palatour crowd will never forget.

The finale is a genuine rock gallop, in which the singer works in her most recent releases: the long-winded ode to the mahatma "Ghandi", and "Trampin'", the title track of the album of the same name. Smith bids farewell with the rousing "People have the power". She leaves the Palatour, but only for a few minutes. Everyone knows she'll be back to sing the two most famous songs: "Because the night" (written by the Boss Springsteen) and the legendary "Gloria", which brings the first act of Time Zones to a definitive close. This year too, the Bari festival, on the eve of its twentieth anniversary, confirms the quality and relevance of its musical choices. Time Zones looks to the future without forgetting the past, and Patti Smith is its perfect synthesis.

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