Joni Mitchell Performs At Newport Folk Festival

Joni Mitchell made a surprise appearance at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island on Sunday as part of a set dubbed the “Joni Jam.” The set was orchestrated by Brandi Carlile and marked Mitchell’s first full public performance since 2002.

The legendary 78-year-old singer-songwriter suffered a brain aneurysm in 2015 with public appearances rare since that time. Mitchell had last played the famed festival at Fort Adams State Park way back in 1969 after making her Newport Folk debut in 1967.

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Sunday’s “Joni Jam” featured 13 songs. Mitchell performed most of the set from a gold throne and looked on from the throne for some songs as guests played her tunes. Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth, Wynonna Judd, Blake Mills, Celisse, Taylor Goldsmith and Lucius’ Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig were among musicians who took part in the surprise set. Brandi had previously performed all of Mitchell’s iconic Blue album in Los Angeles in 2019 and in New York City last November.

The set began with “Carey” and then saw Goldsmith sing “Come In From The Cold” with Mitchell, Carlile and others. Celisse starred on the ensuing “Help Me” before Carlile teamed with Joni on “A Case Of You” and “Big Yellow Taxi.” Next, Joni Mitchell stood and played electric guitar on “Just Like Ths Train.” The set rolled on with such Joni classics as “Amelia,” “Shine” and “Both Sides Now.” Additionally, Joni sang on “Summertime,” purportedly one of the first songs she sung after suffering the anerysm. Yesterday’s “Joni Jam” came to a close with a rousing “The Circle Game.”

Watch fan-shot footage from the “Joni Jam” set below:

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Setlist

Set: Carey, Come In From The Cold, Help Me, A Case Of You, Big Yellow Taxi, Just Like This Train, Why Do Fools Fall In Love, Amelia, Love Potion #9, Shine, Summertime, Both Sides Now, The Circle Game

Source: JamBase.com