The National, Patti Smith Perform “I Need My Girl’

The National began the first evening of their Homecoming Festival 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio tonight – and they had a few surprises in store for us. During their set tonight, the band brought out Patti Smith and the fans went wild.

Just a few weeks ago, Patti Smith and her band opened for The National as a special guest during their Shows at Madison Square Garden in New York. Smith also performed earlier in the evening at the festival.

Smith then returned once again to perform “I Need My Girl” with The National during their headlining set. The band plays their 2010 album High Violet in full tonight – and those who go tomorrow night can expect to hear Trouble will find me in its entirety. However, The National also sprinkles other songs in the setlist.

According to Setlist.fm, The National dedicated “Afraid Of Everyone” to Michael Stipe and Patti Smith during an earlier portion of their performance. As the night and weekend continue, time will tell what else they have planned.

There are still day passes available for the Saturday of the Homecoming Festival. More information can be found via the group’s website website.

Check out a video of Patti Smith performing “I Need My Girl” with The National above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.