Watch Joni Mitchell sing in public for the first time since 2013
nme.comJoni Mitchell has delivered her first public performance in nine years, taking to the stage at MusiCares’ 2022 Person of the Year benefit gala.Mitchell was bestowed with this year’s titular honour on Friday night (April 1), following in the footsteps of previous recipients Aerosmith (who were celebrated with the title in 2020) and Dolly Parton (in 2019).Mitchell was not announced to be performing at the event, but joined the likes of Beck, Brandi Carlile, Cyndi Lauper, Stephen Stills, Jon Batiste and more to sing her 1970 classics ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ and ‘The Circle Game’.It marked her first time singing in public since June 2013, when she performed two short, impromptu sets at events being held in her honour, where she was initially booked to recite poetry.
Prior to those, her last performance took place in 2002, with Mitchell having retired from touring altogether in 2000.Watch Mitchell singing ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ at the MusiCares gala below:At other points during the event, which took place at the Marquee Ballroom in Las Vegas, Mitchell was honoured with a sprawling roster of tributes.Among them were a cover of ‘The Jungle Line’ (from Mitchell’s 1975 album ‘The Hissing Of Summer Lawns’) performed by Beck, St.
Vincent’s rendition of ‘Court And Spark’ (from the 1974 album of the same name) and a take on ‘River’ (from 1971’s ‘Blue’) by John Legend.Other covers performed included Mickey Guyton’s rendition of ‘For Free’, Herbie Hancock and Terrace Martin’s take on ‘Hejira’, a performance of ‘Help Me’ by Dave Grohl’s 15-year-old daughter Violet, Billy Porter’s spin on ‘Both Sides Now’, and ‘Woodstock’ by Carlile and Stills.
Read more on nme.com