Concert review – Patti Smith, Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall,

Patti Smith

Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton

Concert review by John Darby

Godmother of Punk Patti Smith delighted fans at Wolverhampton's Wulfrun Hall.

Dressed casually with a jacket over a white top, she transported the crowd back to the 1970s, when she was in her heyday.

It is a long way from her home in Michigan to the streets of Wolverhampton but she made it and almost managed to blow the roof off the Wulfrun.

In a packed house littered with, punks, goths, hippies and old timers, everyone appeared to get what they wanted with frenetic versions of Because the Night, a song she co- wrote with rock royalty Bruce Springsteen and the stomping madness of Gloria.

The 65-year-old even commented on the beauty of St Peter's Church in Wolverhampton during her time on stage.

In between the more raucous songs there was some eloquent guitar and keyboard work and some sensitive songs.

She dedicated one song to the late Amy Winehouse, This is the Girl, which was quite poignant and from her current album Banga.

Hardcore fans of the singer, now turned author, were not disappointed.