UPDATED: Joni Mitchell has announced her “Joni Jam” concerts to take place at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl on October 19 and 20. A second night was added Wednesday “due to overwhelming demand,” organizers said.
The performances, featuring frequent collaborator Brandi Carlile, mark the singer-songwriter’s first official performance in L.A. since 2000. It comes on the heels of news that the 80-year-old will have another first: a performance at this Sunday’s 66th annual Grammy Awards, where she’s nominated for best folk album for “Joni Mitchell at Newport.”
Her activity over the past few years has ramped up after speculation that she retired from the spotlight following a debilitating brain aneurysm in 2015. But she remained active as she started hosting musical gatherings at her home, informally bringing artists to participate in what were referred to as “Joni jams.” She then brought that idea to life in July 2022 at the Newport Folk Festival.
Last year, she made two additional public concert appearances, including a “Joni Jam” at the Gorge in Washington state and at the Brandi Carlile and Friends show at the Bowl in October, where she gave renditions of “Shine,” “Circle Game” and “Ladies of the Canyon.”
This weekend, Mitchell is gearing up for the Grammys, where she’s won nine awards in the past and could receive her 10th for the Carlile-produced “Joni Mitchell at Newport.” In early 2022, the Academy honored her as its Person of the Year with an all-star concert and dinner in Las Vegas, walking the red carpet and appearing with the musicians during the untelevised event.
Tickets for the first night of October’s “Joni Jam” went on presale on Wednesday, and the second night presale starts Thursday, with tickets available to the general public on Friday.
