Joni Mitchell to perform first headline concert in over 20 years

Virgin Radio

21 Oct 2022, 07:23

Folk legend Joni Mitchell is set to hit the stage for her first headline gig in 23 years.

The Circle Game singer will perform at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington in 10th June 2023 with friend and fellow musician Brandi Carlile. 

Carlile made the huge announcement while on The Daily Show on Wednesday (19th October), just a few months after bringing Mitchell on stage at the Newport Folk Festival.

The singer told host Trever Noah: “I can't believe it's happening, but it's happening, and she is going to crush it.”

Mitchell took a back-step from performing after suffering from a brain aneurysm in 2015, so fans were shocked to see the beloved singer take to the stage in July.

The Both Sides Now hit-maker joined Carlile for some of her classic hits, including A Case Of You and Just Like This Train, which included a full guitar solo. 

Performing at Newport Folk Festival was the first time in over 20 years that Joni had taken to the stage. She last performed at the festival in 1969 and her last full performance was back in 2000.

According to Carlile, her surprise performance left the iconic guitarist eager to return to the stage. 

She added: “[Mitchell] completely took over the show and became the performer that we all know that she is. 

“We didn't go to sleep that night. We stayed up until the sun came up. Joni, flat out, loves to perform and she's awesome at it. She's every bit as good at it now as she was.”

Back in July, the Grammy Award winner opened up about learning how to play the guitar again after suffering from her brain aneurysm. 

While speaking on CBS Mornings, reporter Anthony Mason asked what it was like to be behind the chords again, and she said: “I’m learning.

“I’m looking at videos that are on the net, to see where to put my fingers. It’s amazing…when you have an aneurysm, you don’t know how to get into a chair. You don’t know how to get out of bed. You have to learn all these things again. You’re going back to infancy, almost.”

When asked where she found the strength to go back and learn it all again, Mitchell said that her brain surgeon told her she had “will and grit”- something that she agrees with.