Patti Smith and Soundwalk Collective Announce Extra Tokyo Show

Patti Smith and Soundwalk Collective’s latest project, CORRESPONDENCES, has announced an additional performance in Tokyo on May 2 (Friday) at the New National Theatre Opera Palace in Hatsudai.

The collaborative project, which spans over 10 years, has been a continuous exploration of geographical, historical, and environmental themes. The project, which presents both performances and exhibitions, was initially scheduled to perform on April 29 (Tuesday) at the RoHM Theatre Kyoto South Hall and May 3 (Saturday) at the New National Theatre Opera Palace. Due to the overwhelming demand for tickets, the Tokyo performance has been expanded with an additional show. The exhibition for CORRESPONDENCES will run from April 26 (Saturday) to June 29 (Sunday) at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art in Kiyosumi-Shiraume.

Patti Smith, a global cultural icon, was born in Chicago in 1946 and grew up in southern New Jersey before moving to New York City in 1967. Known for her pioneering fusion of poetry and rock music, she gained prominence with her 1975 album Horses, which became a cornerstone of punk rock and poetic expression. She has influenced countless musicians and artists and has had a successful career in the visual arts, including photography, painting, and installations. Smith’s acclaimed memoir Just Kids won the National Book Award, and she has written several other notable works. In recognition of her career, Smith received the PEN/Faulkner Award in 2020 and an honorary doctorate from Columbia University in 2022. Additionally, she was awarded the French Legion of Honour for her contributions to arts and culture.

Soundwalk Collective, a contemporary sound art collective led by artist Stephan Crasneanscki and producer Simone Merli, collaborates with musicians and artists to explore concepts, literature, and sound projects that respond to specific places and environments. The collective has collaborated with high-profile artists, including filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard, photographer Nan Goldin, choreographer Sasha Waltz, and singer-actress Charlotte Gainsbourg. They are known for their cross-disciplinary projects, which have spanned art installations, film scores, and sound installations. Their documentary soundtrack for Everything Beauty and Murder won the prestigious Golden Lion at the 2022 Venice International Film Festival.

The collaboration between Patti Smith and Soundwalk Collective began when the two artists met by chance during a flight, sparking a decade-long artistic partnership. Over the years, they have presented their work in diverse formats such as live performances, exhibitions, screenings, and poetry readings at venues around the world, including the Venice Biennale and the Museum of Modern Art in Medellín, Colombia.

CORRESPONDENCES is the culmination of this long-standing collaboration, drawing inspiration from the “dialogue” between Patti and Stephan over the years. The project explores the “sound memories” of various places, while also reflecting on the enduring impact of climate change, revolutionaries, and artists. In the process, Stephan collects field recordings from historically significant locations, which Patti then responds to with poems. These recordings are transformed into video works, which form the core of the exhibition and performance. The themes explored in the project include environmental disasters, such as the Chernobyl disaster and forest fires, as well as the mass extinction of animals. The works also reference artists and revolutionaries like Andrei Tarkovsky, Jean-Luc Godard, Pier Paolo Pasolini, and Pyotr Kropotkin. The CORRESPONDENCES performance in Tokyo will mark its debut in Asia, adding another milestone to this innovative artistic journey.

“MODE 2025 Soundwalk Collective & Patti Smith | CORRESPONDENCES” (Tokyo Performance)

Performance Dates:

• [Additional Performance] May 2, 2025 (Friday) – Doors open at 18:30 / Performance starts at 19:30
• [Sold Out] May 3, 2025 (Saturday, Holiday) – Doors open at 17:00 / Performance starts at 18:00
  Venue: New National Theatre, Opera Palace, Tokyo

Performers:

• Patti Smith (Vocals)
• Stephan Crasneanscki (Field Recording / Foley)
• Simone Merli (Synthesizer)
• Lucy Railton (Cello)
• Diego Espinoza Cruz Gonzalez (Drums / Percussion)
• Pedro Maia (Visuals / Lighting)
• Sebastian Bureau (Sound Engineer)

Tickets (All Seats Reserved, Tax Included):

• SS Seat: ¥20,000
• S Seat: ¥11,500
• A Seat: ¥9,900
• B Seat: ¥7,700
• C Seat: ¥5,500

Please note:

• Children of preschool age are not allowed.
• Tickets are required for children above elementary school age.
• No cancellations, changes, or refunds after ticket purchase.

Ticket Sales:

• e+ (eplus.jp) Link
• In-store Sales: FamilyMart (In-store Multi-Copy Machine)
• How to Purchase at Store: In-store Purchase Method
• Fastest Pre-sale: March 28, 2025 (Friday) 19:00 – April 9, 2025 (Wednesday) 23:59
• Final Pre-sale: April 12, 2025 (Saturday) 10:00 onward

Organizer: MODE / YY Inc.
Support: The Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Arts Council Tokyo (Art and Cultural Appeal Grant)
Sponsors: Audio-Technica / Analogue Foundation

For inquiries about the performance:
MODE: info@mode.exchange

MOT Plus Soundwalk Collective & Patti Smith | Correspondences

The exhibition Correspondences will be the first initiative of the “MOT Plus Project” by the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT). MOT Plus is a new program launched in 2025 that expands beyond traditional exhibition formats to include experimental projects such as performances and screenings. This exhibition is held as part of the program’s debut, co-hosted with YY and with planning cooperation from MODE.

Exhibition Dates
April 26, 2025 (Saturday) – June 29, 2025 (Sunday)
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last entry to the exhibition room is 30 minutes before closing)

Closed
Mondays (except May 5) / May 7 (Wednesday)

Venue
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, B2F Special Exhibition Room
4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0022

Admission Fee (including tax)
Adults: ¥1,800
Free for elementary school children and younger
Children must be accompanied by a guardian.

Organizer
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture) / YY Inc.
Planning Cooperation
MODE
Sponsors
Audio-Technica / Analogue Foundation