Joni Mitchell performs first publicly announced concert in 20 years: video + tracklist

Joni Mitchell held her first publicly announced party in two decades at the George Amphitheater in George, Washington, on Saturday.

The 79-year-old singer-songwriter returned to the stage in August 2022 during a surprise appearance at the Newport Folk Festival. She later announced a major standalone show as part of Brandi Carlisle’s three-night concert “Echoes Across the Valley”.

With the help of Carlisle and a host of guest musicians, Mitchell gave a 24-song performance that featured some of her most enduring songs. The show started with “Big Yellow Taxi” from Valley Ladies. Marcus Mumford accompanied her on “Come in the Cold,” and Blake Mills sat her on “Amelia.”

Mitchell was joined by Annie Lennox on “Ladies of the Cannon”, and Sarah MacLachlan accompanied her on “Blue”. Other notable performances included “A Case of You” with Mumford and Carlile; “The Cactus Tree” with Lucius; “Young at Heart” with Alison Russell; and “A Strange Boy” with Wendy & Lisa.

As was the case in Newport, Saturday’s performance is modeled after the “Johnny Jams” Mitchell she’s hosting at her Los Angeles home. As such, the stage is set in the style of Mitchell’s living room with tiers, a lamp, a bottle of Pinot Grigio, and pictures of her pets (via Watchman).

Watch the full tracklist of 24 songs and a video of Mitchell’s performance below.

Later this month, a live recording of Mitchell’s appearance at the Newport Folk Festival will be released on streaming services, CD, and 2 xLP on July 28.

Joni Mitchell echoes through the valley’s tuning list:

Big Yellow Taxi
Night ride home
Traces of Robbery (with Celis Henderson)
Come Cold (with Marcus Mumford)
Amelia (with Blake Mills)
curry
Sex Kills (with Celis Henderson)
Summer (George Gershwin cover) (with Ben Locher)
Ladies of the Valley (with Annie Lennox)
Help Me (with Celese Henderson)
Where There Is A Will There Is A Way (Rick Whitfield cover) (with Rick Whitfield)
Love Potion No. 9 (Clover Cover)
Your Status (with Marcus Mumford and Brandi Carlile)
Odd Boy (with Wendy and Lisa)
Cactus Tree (with Lucius)
California (with Marcus Mumford)
Blue (with Sarah MacLachlan)
Why Do Fools Fall in Love (cover by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers)
Shine (with Brandi Carlile)
Both sides now
Circle game