Horses for courses: Wind, rain force Patti Smith gig indoors

Forbidden Fruit promoters say ‘safety and comfort of our fans is of utmost importance’

Forbidden Fruit kicked off the festival season at Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin this weekend.

The much anticipated concert by Patti Smith in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on bank holiday Monday night has been moved to a tent because of the bad weather.

Smith, due to play her groundbreaking debut album Horses in its entirety, is wrapping up the four-day Forbidden Fruit festival in Dublin.

A statement from promoter POD said the recent bad weather, with more rain and wind forecast for Monday evening, has forced it to host the concert indoors.

Some 12,000 fans are expected for the concert on Monday night. They will be accommodated in one of two tents which are already on site.

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Patti Smith is due on stage at 9.15pm. The promoters decided on the move after looking at the Met Éireann forecast, which suggested strong to gale force winds are expected for this evening.

POD said in a statement: “In light of the inclement weather and gale force winds, two adjoining stages in two tented structures will be used for tonight’s show, with two artists performing in each one, none of which will clash with each other’s performance.

“The safety and comfort of our fans is of utmost importance and we want fans to enjoy what is sure to be an amazing show.”

Gates for the concert open at 5pm.

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times